The Netley Nationals come ever closer and whilst the organisation has been between Erling and Alex and Roz at Netley a number of you have asked me questions that I can now respond to having discussed arrangements with our Commodore over the weekend.
I am responding via the chat pages and whatever media magician Liam makes it appear on as the information provided may also be useful to others. So, in no particular order!!
If you use the club postcode some sat navs take you to the wrong side of the Park from where bitter experience from first time I visited Netley tells me it is impossible to access the Club let alone turn round. However the location of Victoria Country Park in which the Club is actually located is well sign posted by brown tourist signs from Junction 8 of the M 27 to the entry to the Park.
The main park gates are normally open until 9pm and arrangements are in place for them to be open throughout the event. If they are locked when you first arrive please phone the Club on 023 8045 4272 or me on 07725 097317 and they will be opened for you.
The black and white painted gate from the Park onto the track leading to the club and the gate into the club compound at the other end of the track will be manned from lunchtime on the Thursday until about 6pm and on the Friday morning from at least 9am. Again if they are locked when you first arrive please phone the Club on 023 8045 4272 or me on 07725 097317 and they will be opened for you.
Competitors will be advised as to the gate codes when they register allowing them entry and access during the event as required.
Marshals wearing fluorescent bibs will tell you where to go and where to park car, trailer, tent and boat. Please do as they say, they are all volunteers and there is method in the madness.
Limited food in the form of a chilli and French stick meal will be available Thursday evening prior to the Commodores reception that evening. Alternatively there are a range of takeaways covering most cuisines in the village many of which will deliver to the Club. Otherwise full catering will be available at the event.
Please note the final drive through the village is narrow as cars park on one side of the road. The two speed bumps between the main park gate and our black and white gate leading to the Club are both vicious and hard to spot and a strict 10 mph maximum speed limit is in force across the Park with this limit being vigorously enforced by dog walkers and parents with children.
We are unable to allow caravans to stay on the camping field but tents, campers and trailer tents are welcomed. 24 hour access to ablution facilities adjacent to the camping field is available
The Club is car free and very family friendly. Given its location there is loads for non-sailors to do even if they can tear their eyes away from the race area that is directly off the Club.
The Windsport trailer will be there with Stuart and Rosie Snell selling a range of spares on Brian's behalf. The repairs service will not be available as due to the clash in dates the Windsport Team will be at the Dart 18 Europeans.
We have booked sunshine and a Force Four with waves and the weather gods practiced this Sunday providing perfect conditions. We have all promised not to say it is normally like this and we look forward to welcoming you all soon.
