Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Keen eyed readers will have spotted a 'runners and riders' thread elsewhere on the ECF... this is a post to provide a bit of info for joiner-inners, especially those new to the weekend
Pirates is now in its 4th year, and is, like every other ECF event, very informal, with a limited amount of organisation, and lot of 'making it up as we go along'!
The origins of Pirates was in 1997, trying to pull together a weekend for those with kids on board... however, lots of boats came along without kids (well... without people whose physical age disqualifies them... less certain on the mental age)... The idea was to have a few games on the beach, a fire, and generally just relax and enjoy ourselves.... there were, and still are only three 'rules'...
1] Bring some firewood
2] Dress as a pirate
3] Leave the beach as we found it
So... onto Pirates 2010...
Its the weekend of 3rd/4th July, and is at Stone Point in the Walton Backwaters... proceedings are generally based around the Saturday evening, but lots of boats will arrive from Friday evening onwards.... we anchor at Stone Point until there is no more space, and then folks either move on to find a vacant buoy in the creek, or migrate round the corner into Hamford Water, and then travel round by tender (only sensible if the weather is fair)
We will gradually congregate on the beach throughout Saturday afternoon, where people will generally barbeque at some point or other (bring a disposable BBQ - AND take it with you when you leave)... the fire will slowly be constructed througout the afternoon as people arrive, and is generally lit around 20h00 to 21h00
We always take marshmallows and sticks. This year we hope to be sober enough to remember that we have taken marshmallows and sticks and actually toast them.
If you are of a musical disposition, then bring along your torture device.. we usually end up with a few people making up a small group... one or two of them even know how to play their instruments. None of them can play them after half a bottle of rum.
So.... the beach events for Pirate 2010.... in previous years, we've varied from doing little, to highly organised (including previously, full treasure maps, and buried treasure chests!)... this year we are having a quieter year in terms of formal organised activity... although there are two planned things...
1] Essex vs Suffolk world cup pirate football.
This will follow the normal rules of football, but with a slight twist - you'll have to wait and see - allegiances will be decided by the county within which boats are berthed
2] Sandcastle extraordinaire.
For the children - a competitive effort at extreme sandcastle production. You've seen the television programme 'Grand Designs'... well now its the kid's chance (and probably the odd adult or two!)
(bring spades and buckets!)
Finally, and most importantly of all... this is an event that is all about inclusion.... please please come along... you are assured of a warm welcome... we make every effort to ensure that everyone has a great time... its all about getting to know a few new people... the more the merrier... and besides... we've got an attendance record to break... I think we had over 100 people on the beach last year....
Look forward to seeing you all there!
Pirates is now in its 4th year, and is, like every other ECF event, very informal, with a limited amount of organisation, and lot of 'making it up as we go along'!
The origins of Pirates was in 1997, trying to pull together a weekend for those with kids on board... however, lots of boats came along without kids (well... without people whose physical age disqualifies them... less certain on the mental age)... The idea was to have a few games on the beach, a fire, and generally just relax and enjoy ourselves.... there were, and still are only three 'rules'...
1] Bring some firewood
2] Dress as a pirate
3] Leave the beach as we found it
So... onto Pirates 2010...
Its the weekend of 3rd/4th July, and is at Stone Point in the Walton Backwaters... proceedings are generally based around the Saturday evening, but lots of boats will arrive from Friday evening onwards.... we anchor at Stone Point until there is no more space, and then folks either move on to find a vacant buoy in the creek, or migrate round the corner into Hamford Water, and then travel round by tender (only sensible if the weather is fair)
We will gradually congregate on the beach throughout Saturday afternoon, where people will generally barbeque at some point or other (bring a disposable BBQ - AND take it with you when you leave)... the fire will slowly be constructed througout the afternoon as people arrive, and is generally lit around 20h00 to 21h00
We always take marshmallows and sticks. This year we hope to be sober enough to remember that we have taken marshmallows and sticks and actually toast them.
If you are of a musical disposition, then bring along your torture device.. we usually end up with a few people making up a small group... one or two of them even know how to play their instruments. None of them can play them after half a bottle of rum.
So.... the beach events for Pirate 2010.... in previous years, we've varied from doing little, to highly organised (including previously, full treasure maps, and buried treasure chests!)... this year we are having a quieter year in terms of formal organised activity... although there are two planned things...
1] Essex vs Suffolk world cup pirate football.
This will follow the normal rules of football, but with a slight twist - you'll have to wait and see - allegiances will be decided by the county within which boats are berthed
2] Sandcastle extraordinaire.
For the children - a competitive effort at extreme sandcastle production. You've seen the television programme 'Grand Designs'... well now its the kid's chance (and probably the odd adult or two!)
(bring spades and buckets!)
Finally, and most importantly of all... this is an event that is all about inclusion.... please please come along... you are assured of a warm welcome... we make every effort to ensure that everyone has a great time... its all about getting to know a few new people... the more the merrier... and besides... we've got an attendance record to break... I think we had over 100 people on the beach last year....
Look forward to seeing you all there!
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