Solent & Chichester
Welcome to the Solent & Chichester Regional Page.
Here we would like to introduce you to our beautiful protected waters of The Solent and Chichester Harbour.
We enjoy safe sheltered sailing in an area that provides unlimited potential for fun, adventure, exciting sailing ( or relaxing - you choose! ) lots of pottering possibilites and peaceful anchorages that are out of reach to most of the larger craft but perfect for our small but seaworthy Shrimpers.
Protected by the Isle of Wight the Solent has many safe and beautiful harbours, many ideally suited to the shallow draft of the Shrimper but all providing a uniquely different character to the visiting sailor. Chichester is arguably the ideal Shrimper harbour in which it is possible to sail and explore it's many different creeks in almost any weather.
Each season we put together a variety of events and cruises exploring the different areas of the Solent and Chichester. Some events are at weekends, other 2-5 day trips are usually held mid week and we have our flagship event SOLENT CRUISE WEEK lasting a full week during which we try to include many harbours and cover more sea miles.
Any local owners who moor their Shrimpers in Chichester may wish to contact Rodney Arnold ( Morning Vicar 294 ) who arranges evening cruises in Chichester harbour during the season. 01243.378810 rod4waterside@aol.com
As time progresses we hope to provide regular news of forthcoming events, reports on recent events and any other items of interest to our region. Please keep an eye on the 'Latest News' box on the Home Page page as well as this page to stay up to date.
If you keep your Shrimper in the Solent or Chichester region you are very welcome to join in with all the events we arrange.
How long can it last??? Three rallies - great weather for each!!
The latest rally to Gosport was held over the weekend of 22/23rd May in fantastic sunshine and light winds. Six boats made the trip from Chichester to Gosport where we explored old Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon and visited the RN Submarine museum on Sunday morning. Satuday evening found us tucking into a brilliant Chinese Feast in the Great Wall restaurant in Gosport.
Each of the rallies this year have been quite different in character but highly enjoyable in their own way. If you have not already done so, please join us, you are very welcome!
The next planned event 'Chichester Fun Week' is a little way off yet on the 18th July. This 'gap in proceedings' is due to the SOA National Weeks in Scotland in June. The Fun week will I suspect prove to be very popular and a great opportunity to get the whole family out on the Shrimper for some summer fun in the safety of Chichester Harbour. This event is very much a group affair with members of the different clubs within the harbour taking responsibility for one day each during the week.
If you have any thoughts, ideas or suggestions for future events do please let me know. As a flavour of the recent events, the picture below was submitted by Richard Shaw ( Gamba 218) taken while rafted up and anchored at the top of the River Yar during the West Solent Mini Cruise.
Please take a look at the items listed below. ( click on the blue links)
Click here for the report on our 2009 sailing season 2009
Click Here to view the 2009 programme of events - now completed.
Click here to view events planned for 2010
Click Here to view Tim Reid's ( Fairmaid 845 ) excellent photos of Solent Cruise week 2009 (password gale08)
Click here for a lovely report from Mike Shearman on his first 'Mini Cruise' experience. 2009
Click here to read the collection of Poems from Solent Cruise week 2009.
If you would like anything added to this page please contact:-
Trevor Thomas ( Gentle Breeze 786 )
Home 01582.793638 Mobile 07768.014525
Email tjt649@btopenworld.com