Tideway Meetings
The TOA co-ordinates a number of weekend and day meetings each year for members and their Tideways (including Tideway 10s and Tidesway 14s). Locations are selected for their beautiful sailing waters with facilities for boat launch and recovery and, at weekend meetings, boat storage. Members are free to sail in company, in separate groups or alone. There is often the opportunity for a mid-day picnic or a visit to a waterside inn. Most members choose to camp which adds to the social side of the meetings and there is usually camping on site, or close by. However, its not necessary to camp, and at each meeting some members will choose to stay in other local accommodation eg B&Bs. A fleet supper or BBQ is usually arranged on the Saturday night which gives everyone the opportunity to meet up.
The meetings are designed to be informal and participants can sail as much or as little as they wish. As the TOA does not organise sailing, provide tuition or arrange safety cover some experience is advisable. Subject to suitable weather conditions we have many members who have enjoyed their first meeting and sailed with relatively limited prior experience, sometimes principally that gained by taking an RYA level 2 course.
In addition an annual race meeting is arranged, usually organised by a sailing club, where double handed crews compete for the Tideway Challenge trophy and single handers for the Rose Bowl. The first under 18 year old helm receives the John White Trophy. This meeting is usually combined with the AGM plus a second day when many members will choose to go for a cruise.
2024 Programme
10th to 12th May: Hickling Broad
14th to 17th June: Mylor (Falmouth Harbour) including AGM
28th June to 1st July: Chichester Harbour, Cobnor including Challenge Race
2nd to 3rd August: Lechlade, River Thames
30th August to 2nd September: Waldringfield, River Deben
19th September to 23rd September: Coniston
In addition we had a stand at the RYA dinghy Show at Farnborough International in February.
Most TOA meetings are at weekends but where possible we make arrangements for a day or two each side to allow for flexibility for travelling and to increase the chance of good weather conditions for those who can come for longer.
Depending on the facilities available it may be possible for anyone thinking of buying a Tideway who would like to see them “in the flesh” to come and visit the fleet at one of our meetings, if interested, use the contact us form.