Bembridge Bank Holiday Rally Report

A near perfect forecast for the Bembridge Bank Holiday four night rally was just the perfect start to a wonderful rally packed full with “stuff to do” 

40 or so vessels were pre booked over the weekend, an outstanding club record, indeed for a yacht club in The Solent. Brilliant turnout all round, well done all. 

Friday saw most arrivals although your author and a few others berthed from Wednesday onwards with the very helpful berthing team headed by Tom and the Harbour Master Jack on hand to greet most of us. They had 120 boat movements that day and I must say seeing many of you lined up heading to the marina was like seeing the landing path at Heathrow on a “busy”, and it was quite a sight from the pontoon! Glad I was already along side.

Friday night and the BBQ’s were lit , tables laid out with member's taking advantage of Sam’s Bar started a great evening with The Son of Black Beard ‍☠️ entertaining us all to two great sets and some favourite sea shanties to boot. Dancing, chatting, eating and chewing the cud, what’s not to like.

There was a frisson of excitement without a doubt felt by those booked for Karting on the following day, who would beat who and how ! All to be revealed. 

Saturday and another perfect day. Some chose to walk the beautiful area. As mid day arrived the coach took 39 of us including the 26 drivers to Wight Karting for two 15 minute timed races, racing both against each other and the clock. My goodness, to see the raw racing spirits and blood flow of the competitors, and the crowd, was a sight indeed. We all had great racing gear provided, a superb and fast track and excellent modern go karts to race. A lovely terrace overlooked the track and we saw very compeitive racing with super marshalling for the two sets of three individual events. With a nice bar and cafe to hand and excellent staff PSYC racers raced away big time. Great to watch and participate in. ️

Well done to the top three and fastest lady. It was Mark Reed - King Hi who took the top spot on the podium and bottle of well deserved bubbly.  

Your author feels the need to apologise to The Commodores wonderful grandson who it seems I drove off the track. Not a good career move on my behalf! However I did manage to give that aspiring young diver Lewis Hamilton some good pointers in that direction (see the photo in the gallery) and I hope he will use them on a certain Mr Verstappen next time out. 

Sunday and another perfect day.  The last few arrivals including Colin’s cat on Skoolie Too made their berths ready for the free form Sunday Luncheon on the various terraces of the Bembridge Sailing Club which accommodated all 70 of us with ease. Good service and a simple but solid lunch with the sun on our backs, simply spot on. The water taxi did great trade with their good service.  Nice team too. 

Monday and many took to the sea to return but a solid handful stayed and went to the beach at The Point.  What a great idea with two saunas, ice bath, food and drink plus comfy chairs, bean bags and tables and a splendid small beach at high tide. Your author both swam and took to the sauna and ice bath. Highly recommended. 

Tuesday and the final departures in a SW Force 6 rounded out a wonderful and record breaking Bank Holiday Weekend. 

Sarah and I would like to thank you all who made the weekend special. It’s the members who make the club! 

Our thanks to the crews and skippers of:
Spree, Legato, Mouse Too, Coral IV, Skoolie Too, Memsahib XIV, Old Possum, Quirky Lady, FantaSea, PureSpirit, Amalfi , Enterprise, High Time, Merlin, Ismana, Sea Air, King Hi ( and Alonzo ) , Sea Clipse, Deja Vu, Blitz, Moonshine, Highland Lady, Moon Shadow,  Brilliant, Thomas Hardy, Gité, Nicknack, Lucca, Reef Knot, Shoogly Monster, Bliss, Aeolus, Paxi Moon, Jango, Pikorua, Saskia, Deep Blu,