Bewl August camping

Bewl Valley Sailing Club
Three Day August Bank Holiday
Visit 24-26 August 2013 Mike Hendra

Bewl Water is a beautiful 900 Acre reservoir three miles long in the natural surroundings of the Kent countryside. It is off the A21 Hastings road, just pass Lamberhurst, about one hour from the A3 Kingston bypass.

Last year we had a wonderful visit camping at Bewl over a September Regatta weekend and Aquarius has been invited back for 2013. The event takes place over the Summer Bank Holiday Weekend, Saturday 24 - Monday 26 August.

On the Saturday there is a Youth Regatta, Sunday an Open Regatta, and Monday family sailing. Saturday is usually the day for travelling and perhaps a social sail in the afternoon, Sunday is the Open Regatta in which members are able to participate. Monday is usually an early sail, decamp and departure although there is no deadline for leaving the campsite.

The lake is huge and offers the kind of open sailing not able to be enjoyed in Aquarius' restricted reach of the river. As a result just sailing recreationally offers a very different sailing experience from that normally available to us and the racing experience is also very different.

Aquarius members usually take a variety of boats along and members mix and match boats and crews to spread and share the fun. .

The Bewl Sailing Club offers a very nice unpowered campsite with toilet and shower facilities not far away in their clubhouse. They also have a restaurant that is open for lunch, snacks etc at other times. Next door is the Bewl Aquatic Centre which also offers refreshments. There are several decent pubs close by for those who wish to eat out.

Last year Mike and Jean took their caravan and it served as a focal point for attendees offering a clubhouse atmosphere and shelter. They travelled out on Friday and back on Tuesday giving a base that covered arrivals and departure and the proposal is for them to do the same this year.

All club members are invited to come to enjoy the Kent countryside, the lake, the sailing and the weekend. Bird watching, cycling, sailing, walking, relaxing and socialising are all part of the activities we can enjoy. Sailing is not compulsory but it would be a shame to miss the experience.

Basic camping equipment, a tent and bedding, is a necessary requirement although there is some that may be borrowed. Or you could come down for a day visit.

Don’t be put off if you haven’t a boat because we will be taking some club boats and members will need crews. New members will have a great experience.

BVSC would like to know how many will be going, and when, so it is essential to let Richard know if you may be going by ringing 01932 786636 or emailing richard@cannonr.me.uk; he will also give you a voucher so you can enter the Bewl complex without paying the entry fee. We also need to know who may be going so we can plan what boats to take.

This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy sailing on a large expanse of water in good winds with no current.

Bring plenty of clothing, conditions can change very quickly and you often need to wade into the water to launch or come ashore; shorts can be good.

There is more information on the AQSC web site, sailaquarius.org.uk

Booking With Richard Cannon is necessary and volunteers to transport boats are a prerequisite for a successful weekend. Please help!