Ahoy Shipmates,
As winter draws near, it’s time to think about sailing for 2025. Here are our plans so far. To make it all happen, we need you to tell us if you want to participate in all of it, some of it, or none of it. Yes folks, we do need your answers! We hope to secure some funding from our wonderful supporters, but until we do, we can’t confirm costs.
Mallorca: May 10th to 17th
Warm weather sailing with a fundraising twist. The plan is to sail around the Island of Mallorca from May 10th to 17th. Fly to Palma, pick up the boat at Port De Pollenca. This will be self-funded, so costs are around £700 plus flights. More details at the end of this letter. Please let us know as soon as possible, mail membership@visa-gb.org.uk
Milford Haven: End of May/Early June
Marvellous Milford, one of our favourite spots. We’ll be back there for early summer to enjoy being bombarded by puffin poo when we visit the bird sanctuary on Skomer Island. One week, dates not yet confirmed but late May or the first week of June. Cost depends on available funding.
Plymouth: End of June
Two boats for a week from Plymouth, with its easy transport links. We plan trips to the delightful Fowey and other harbours ready to welcome us for some sea shanties and a few shandies. Cost will depend on available funding.
Cross Channel: End of July
Did you know the King visited Guernsey when we were there last year? Building on the success of this trip, we know a cross-channel jaunt is a very popular adventure. Dates are from Wednesday, July 23rd to Tuesday, July 29th, starting and finishing in Southampton.
Solent & Beyond: September 8th to 14th
Starting and finishing in Southampton, we will head to Wonderful Weymouth or Breezy Brighton—who knows? But it’s sure to be an action-packed trip for all to enjoy.
Sailing for Young Adults Aged 18 to 25: Dates to be Agreed
We want to encourage young visually impaired adults to experience the joy of sailing. We have secured funding specifically for 18 to 25-year-olds, so plan a short introductory day’s sailing in May with a week-long cruise to follow. Please do all you can to encourage those youngsters to give it a go.
Round the Island Race: Saturday, June 7th
We haven’t decided if we should enter. How many of you would like to do the race in 2025? We need to know. The cost for four days would be approximately £500 as it’s expensive to charter boats, race insurance, and such like. It’s a fantastic experience and you’d be there amongst 8,000 other sailors.
That’s all the plans so far, sorry we can’t confirm costs yet but please let is know which trips you’d like to apply for. Now, as promised, here’s more about Mallorca:
Our friend and supporter, James Barlow, has come up with a wonderfully hair-brained scheme to raise money for us. James has decided to run, yes, that’s run, around the island of Mallorca. There’s a link to his message at the end of this. So we thought if he can run, we will sail. It’s quite a challenge and will require the right weather, a crew with grit, determination, and a good sense of humour to make it happen. We also challenge the sailing crew to actively fundraise to take part. We’ve had some great examples of member fundraising this year, such as Andrew’s wet walks in February, Patrick’s songs and tall tales, and Anil’s energy-sapping hair-growing to name a few! So bake some cakes, knit some socks—you know the drill. Have a go, it doesn’t matter what or how much, but involve others and get stuck in!
Here’s a link to the news article on our website along with James’s message: https://visa-gb.org.uk/2024/10/22/james-barlow-and-his-mad-run-around-mallorca-2025/
Email us on membership@visa-gb.org.uk
