Greetings from HQ here at Visa-gb, 10 years old, alive and kicking and bursting into our second decade, we’ve birthdays, rallies, races, parties & promotions. It’s time to plan your year as we’ve got a whole lot of sailing to share.
So I guess the challenge this month of fuzzy February is can you, will you, dare you read this complete information strewn update? Hope so, and here we go:
10 years old and kicking! The Visually Impaired sailing Association, born and hatched in landlocked Bedfordshire after an immaculate conception with sailing supremo, Colin Fowler. He sat on the nest, hatched the egg and released a new and exciting concept by cutting the restraining chains and empowering visually impaired sailors to actually sail the boat, no more passengers just participants. First date for the diary 24/04/20, the final night of the Scottish Flotilla where we will be holding a gala dinner at Largs Sailing Club celebrating ten years of Visa-gb, tables already booked for all those taking part in the trip, if you are nearby come and join us, if you can’t send your messages. There are just two remaining berths available for Scotland 18/04/20 – 25/04/20, just £300 and you’re in – contacts at the bottom of this post.
Racing and new venture for us and one many have asked for, we all know that famous story the Great Escape, breaking out, breaking free well you’ll be delighted to hear that we’ve entered the Royal Escape celebrating the escape of King Charles in 1651. A cross channel dash, 67 nautical miles, from Brighton to Fécamp on the Normandy coast. If you want to check it out here’s a link to the Royal Escape www.royalescaperace.co.uk/ This is largest offshore race outside the Solent and our boat is primed and ready to go – we just need you to stand tall and sign up, these are the dates and the program: Start Monday 18/05/20 at Gosport, team bonding sail to Brighton, bit of cruising and chillin’ before race day which is Friday 22/05/20. The Belle France here we come! Then cruise options arriving back into Gosport by 27/05/20. Sign up, promises to be a trip to remember.
Racing again, like the proverbial London Bus, wait for ages then two come at once! Yes folks, unbeknown to the other 1799 boats Visa-gb has entered the biggest sailing event in the world, the famous Round the Island Race. Skippered by Rick ‘Just Do It’ Smith, our boat Ellie B will be powering across the start line at 0630 on 30th May powered by the fitting fight, muscled marvo’s of Visa-gb. The program starts first thing on Thursday 28/04/20 with two days race practice – more details on our website, link : visa-gb.org.uk/get-on-the-water/
2020 Sea Vision, now here’s a project and a half!! Way back in 2018 a small group of dedicated visually impaired sailors decided that we had to tell more people about what we do and the benefits. In a dark room somewhere near Poole the Sea Vision concept was born after two years and a never ending supply of tea our fundraising guru, Lofty ‘mine’s a pint’ Sims filled forms, phoned, talked, phoned and talked again and persuaded those lovely people at the National Lottery to give us a grant for this spetacular project – and here we go:
2020 Sea Vision – a trip of revalation, Five weeks sailing across two boats, visiting towns and cities along the South & South West Coast.
Visiting ports to promote the benefits of sailing to Visually Impaired Groups
Highlighting the abliity of the Visually Impaired to empolyers and businesses
Inviting visually impaired and sighted sailors for half day sails so they can experience the joy and excitment of yacht sailing first hand
Raising the profile of Visa-gb through local and national press
Recruit more sailors and sponsors
Dates 15/06/20 to 11/07/20 Seperate details will be sent out but please let us know if you can help us deliver this!
Okay I know information overload – get onto our web site and see a list of sailing events visa-gb.org.uk/get-on-the-water/. Two years ago we only had 3 weeks sailing – in 2020 we are delivering 13 weeks, with five Visually Impaired sailors on board that’s a massive 455 days – brilliant!! Can’t do it without you, your friends and families.
Okay folks your watch is over, nice cuppa and a snooze
Bye for now!
