Stokes Bay Skiff Open Meeting - Preview
by Emma Pearson 19 Apr 22:37 BST
23-24 April 2022
Stokes Bay SC annual skiff open meeting © Emma Pearson
For the B14, Musto Skiff, RS700 and RS800s, it's that time of year again! - the daffodils are just starting to go over and the tulips are popping up the border left, right and centre. Spring has finally sprung and so, it's high time for the Stokes Bay Skiff Open again.
Online entry, SIs and NOR are all now live and it promises to be one fast and fabulous weekend.
We've put our names down for some excellent weather - like last year but a little more wind and a little less tide. The sea breezes have already started to appear for the oncoming season.
Camping is available up at Kingfisher Caravan Park just up the road and small discreet tents are allowed inside the compound if you can find a space. There are also some nice hotels in the area and a few cheap stays too.
Saturday breakfast will be on the go with smiley Jo at the helm. Jo likes to keep us fuelled and fit so we've got the usual bacon butties etc as well as avocado toast or granola bowl options. We take card (contactless and Apple Pay) and cash, just no more magic beans...
For the family, if you're into long walks on the beach, we've got a long beach for you... complete with great views of the Isle of Wight, opportunities to spot some really big ships and the odd military fort to marvel at. Just up the road there are many places of little kids' dreams: Explosion! Museum and the Submarine Museum where you can get a guided tour of one on the hard. There's also an ice-rink in nearby Fareham or the place were overdrafts go to die: Gunwharf Quays.
Saturday evening promises to be really quite excellent. Jo in the galley is cooking up a chilli (veggie chilli also available and meal tickets to be booked online) and the bar will be open with a selection of local craft beers ("Happy Hour" from 7pm). There is a great hype in the club about the return of "Dan's Big Bad Quiz" where previous editions have included rounds such as, making Lionel Richie's face in clay (think "Hello" music video) and matching sailors to their towels in a round titled "Musto Sniff". Brace yourselves folks.
The galley will be open for breakfast Sunday morning and both bar and galley will be available before you're off the water, ready for the re-charge to get you packed up and home.