National Championships, 30 Aug - 1 Sep 2002

Document to Download	Word Format	Adobe PDF Format
Notice of Race	35 KBytes	28 KBytes
Entry Form	26 KBytes	31 KBytes
Events Programme	39 KBytes	35 KBytes

Please note that entry fee's are reduced if you get your entry form to Bob Carter by 14th August. Full details of the event are given on the forms above.

For all our friends on the Isle of Wight, a special deal has been arranged for ferry transport to the mainland for the Nationals; a car plus trailer up to 6m long with driver and three passengers for £70 return (you have to travel after 12 noon). To book this rate call the Red Funnel travel centre on 08704448898, stating the following: Brochure Code QUOTE 02, Fare Code DART. You have to book and pay for the travel in advance.

Why Wonderful Whitstable - Nationals 2002

Once upon a time the Whitstable Yacht Club was one of the most prestigious in the country and Whitstable Week was a famous regatta to rival Cowes or Burnham. Then the town went into decline, but now it is revived as the strongest sailing club in the South-East and Whitstable Week has been reinvented as a family sailing holiday at home, that can attract fifty boats on the water.

Having seen at Pentewen that the demand among our members for a family sailing holiday is strong, I have been asked if WYC can offer something comparable. Given our success with Whitstable Week, I know that we can - even though many associate East Coast sailing with open meetings rather than summer holidays.

Whitstable will be different from Pentewen, as the club is in the middle of a historic town, next door to a small working harbour. The beach is unique in that there is no promenade, no road and no tacky seaside shops. Driving through the town one would never know that it is on the sea. Indeed apart from the harbour and a single restaurant, there is no commercial activity at all on the beach. There is just a public footpath skirting the seaward edge of the conservation area. The back gardens of local residents back on to the beach. Indeed the beach is the town's communal back garden.

This makes the club an ideal base for families and small children, as they can wander freely unafraid of cars. It is also an ideal place for children to swim as the north-facing beach is protected from the big waves seen on the South Coast. Yet all civilised facilities are either available at the clubhouse itself, which is open seven days a week, or in the High Street, just 100 yards further back.

If your family dreamed of learning to windsurf, you could not be better placed. Whitstable is a mecca for windsurfers, as the vast body of shallow water that is called the Swale estuary provides the flat water that not only cats but surfers love. From a beginner's point of view, this means that there is a band several hundred yards wide off the beach in which one can stand, without getting exhausted falling off the board.

If you stay in B&B accommodation within the town, you could leave your car unused for a week, and walk or cycle everywhere. To the East there is an excellent ride along the coast to Herne Bay. Once clear of the town, to the South, the route of Britain's oldest passenger railway has been converted into a scenic cycle path to Canterbury.

As to sailing activities, there are so many options that the programme can be mixed and matched to suit both the conditions and our preferences. There are choices of either short-haul or long-haul targets.

Short-Haul
The Shipwright's Arms* - a pub up Faversham Creek to the West.
Shellness - a isolated seaside community at the end of the world to the North West
Herne Bay* - A Victorian seaside town to the East

Long-Haul
Medway* - West, Up the Swale, turn South the Medway and East to find a delightful peaceful country pub
Round Sheppey* - Clockwise into the Thames or anti-clockwise up the Swale depending on conditions. Pit stop at Cat Club
Thorpe Bay - Dash across the Thames to the smart end of Southend to meet our cat visitors from across the water at Essex's answer to WYC

Click here to see the details of the fun events programme Nick has organised as a precursor to the competition itself.

Click on this link www.wyc.org.uk for more information, or contact Nick Dewhirst on 01227 282625.

Whitstable Accommodation

[Please check prices when you make a booking, these are just for guidance]

Club Facilities

Bunk Rooms at £8.50 per person per night. Breakfast £3.50. Book in advance with the Club Steward Tel: 01227 272343

Bed & Breakfast

	Marine Lodge, 82 Marine Parade, Whitstable Tel: 01227 273707 Double Room £40 inc. breakfast
	Copeland House, 4 Island Wall, Whitstable Tel: 01227 266207 Double Room £40 inc. breakfast
	Belmont House, 74 Oxford Street, Whitstable Tel: 01227 272206 Double/Twin Room £40 inc. breakfast
	Oyster House, 96 Canterbury Road, Whitstable Tel: 01227 276942 Double Room £35 inc. breakfast
	Windyridge, Wraik Hill, Whitstable Tel: 01227 263506 Single £30, Double £45 Rooms en suite, TV, Tea inc. breakfast
	Alliston House, 1 Joy Lane, Whitstable Tel: 01227 779066 Double £40, Twins £38 all en-suite inc. breakfast
	The Cherry Garden, 62 Joy Lane, Whitstable Tel: 01227 266497 Double £38, Twin £38 all en-suite inc. breakfast
	The Windmill, Whitstable Tel: 01227 275029 Exclusive B&B, Single £35, Double £40/45 inc. breakfast
	26 Ham Shades Lane, Whitstable Tel: 01227 769740 Double/Twin £38, en-suite £45 inc. breakfast
	Trappers End, 73 Saddleton Road, Whitstable Tel: 0181 942 0342
	Magellan House, 165 Island Wall (01227) 265678
	Victoria Villa, 1 Victoria Street, Whitstable (01227) 779191 Two twin rooms £60 - £75 including breakfast.
	Four Seasons Guest House, 95 Central Parade, Herne Bay (01227) 277883 Singl £20 Family Room £45

Hotels

	Hotel Continental, 29 Beach Walk, Whitstable Tel: 01227 280280 Single £36, Double £40-85 inc. breakfast
	Marine Hotel, 22 Marine Parade, Whitstable Tel: 01227 272672 Double £59.50 inc. breakfast
	Duke of Cumberland, The High Street, Whitstable Tel: 01227 272031 4 double on suite rooms. £45.00 inc. breakfast

Self Catering

	Whitstable Fisherman Huts, Royal Native Oyster Stores, Horsebridge, Whitstable Tel: 01227 280280 Weekend Price: To sleep 2 is £55 per night, To sleep 4 is £100 per night
	Travel Inn, Long Reach, Thanet Way, Whitstable Tel: 01227 272459 Doubles £39.95 - Breakfast £5.45 English for £3.45 Continental

Caravan Parks

	West Beach Caravan Site, Island Wall, Whitstable Tel: 01227 272300
	Meadow Farm Caravan Park, 64 Herne Bay Road, Whitstable Tel: Mr and Mrs Barnes 01227 369301
	Alberta Caravan Park, Faversham Road, Seasalter Tel: 01227 274485 Weekend (3 nights) 7 for £97, 8 for £120

Camping

Seasalter Sailing Club, Faversham Road, Seasalter Tel: 01227 264784 (Please note that this is approx. 10 mins. drive away)