Thames Sailing Club
Tortola 2008
Shenanigans and Sailing in the British Virgin Islands
The Vice, Rear Commodore, Sailing Secretary and a few other rebel committee members defected to Tortola to compete in the British Virgin Islands Spring Regatta. What can I say Tortola is stunning 
an WARM, can I say that again; it’s WARM, warmer than the 8C cold, wet and miserable London that we left behind. I’ll leave it to our gorgeous Rear Commodore to give you a taster of holiday’s in Tortola.
April Fools.
After being here 48 hrs the 
team was already in serious trouble. Captain Gurney needed to be dragged off Mr. Bill after 3 hours of ‘getting a feel’! Even then it wasn’t enough and he needed some of Melanie’s dollars to ‘grease his wheels’. Eventually we head out to Smugglers Cove for a bit of a dip and a rum punch on the sands. We were offered free use of the beach bar all night in exchange for Melanie. We negotiated long and hard and finally secured an offer of marriage and emerald ring for her from Beach Bar Steve who named her ‘Princess of the BVI’. She refused to accept the long and hard, however, and we were forced to pay the 45 dollars. Ask not what Thames Sailing Club can do for you BUT what you can do for Thames Sailing Club! Melanie, why do you think you’re on the committee? The $45 will be added to your next membership renewal form.
Regattas and Sailing. 
Our intrepid sailors did attempt the first start of the Regatta but with a combination of in-experienced crew and winds of 30 knots gusting to 40 knots our skipper made the wise decision to come home for the day and re-asses the following. Sadly the weather did not improve over the three days of the meeting; which left the team to discover the beaches and rum punches of Tortola. The final day we actually just took out Mr Bill and went for a sail; heading to Peter Island to go snorkeling and sample more rum. Quite strangely for the whole day we did not have to tack once; broad reach there and broad reach back; quite extra-ordinary from a gal that learnt to sail on the Thames where tacking is a way of life! We did manage to get three final days of sailing in a non competitive stance and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The Making of the TSC Burgee. 
One final feat taken upon by the travelers was to design and make with only local goods a replica of the TSC Burgee (as we couldn’t find one in the club to bring with us); therefore with a white pillowcase, blue market pen, red face towels, needle, thread and a large team effort the home-made TSC Burgee came into existence and was proudly flown upon Mr Bill. We proudly presented it to the Royal BVI Yacht club upon our departure.
For more pictures head to Mel's Flickr Site
Page last updated: 19/04/2008 13:08:58
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