Some 60 Wayfarer sailors from all over the UK attended NCSC for the week-end of April 8th. Friday and Saturday evening were social events with the Saturday fully taken up with a series of compact presentations and demonstrations given by experienced members of the UK Wayfarer Association.

My wife Liza and I are new to sailing and rushed to buy a Wayfarer last summer in time to attend the Ullswater Gathering and this cruising conference was to be our second Wayfarer event. Having suitably disposed of 3 children, 2 dogs and battled through Friday rush hour traffic we arrived at NCSC a little later than planned.

Approaching NCSC you see the wonderful sailing area and great position of the elevated club house. Once inside there are panoramic windows on 3 sides and a terrace which allows great viewing of the lake and activities taking place.

In the club house the video was playing Frank Dye's Ocean Crossing. We have read about some wild adventures in a Wayfarer but this was not the reason why we chose a Wayfarer. Watching Frank and his crew battle across the North Sea is both inspiring and terrifying at the same time.

Following the video we were fed with superb fish and chips prepared in the Galley. Recent friendships were rekindled with stories from Ullswater and songs from the Wayfarer Song Book, a unique experience, one to relish and treasure. You have to have a go to find out. Those braver than us (most I think) camped in some form at the sailing club and were given a cooked breakfast early next morning.

We rejoined the group shortly before 9am to start a series of 9 presentations given in the club house, the trailer park and lake side. In the comfort of the club house Dave Maynard talked about navigating with GPS and using clever practical applications that were not covered in my recent day skipper course. Marianne Plater shared her sailing experiences of sailing with 2 children and how she has involved them throughout the preparation stages to sailing the boat. With young children we could relate to Marianne's experiences and we will try to introduce her approach to our family outings. Matt Sharman presented entertaining basic essentials of cruising and provided IT support to keep the show on track.

Outside there were 3 boat tents showing their evolution. To our surprise these tents appear to offer spacious and reasonably comfortable accommodation for 2 people. The construction and erection as ever with a Wayfarer is ingenious by its simplicity.

Simon McEvoy showed us how to reef a main sail and discussed sail balance by roller reefing the genoa. John Mellor assisted by his daughter were dressed in dry suits all day showing us how to haul a Wayfarer up a beach using a combination of fenders, the main sheet and it's own pulley system. Again ingenious which would take a life time of discovery without seeing this demonstrated. Doug Wensley demonstrated various types of anchor and how to drop and them. To newcomers like us this information is invaluable.

Back in the warmth of the club house Liz Feibusch spoke about the Log Library which consists of 161 logs dating back to the early 60's. This is an incredible rich history and one which must be unique to the Wayfarer Association. She wants to create an electronic catalogue which will need volunteers to help - count me in. Details of how to help will appear on the website soon. Slides of Peter Clutterbuck's sailing adventures prove what can be achieved in a Wayfarer is amazing. And all this when Peter appeared to be a teenager. Alan Parry rounded off the day sharing tales of his trip Through Dildos Run to the Toads Ass (see if you print that) in Newfoundland. This appeared to be a battle against poor charts, black fly and icebergs over which Alan and his crew Jim triumphed. And so ended the conference for Liza and I but many were staying on for dinner and more socialising.

We can be sure every one was well fed as the galley staff of Chris and Jayne Wheway, Rachel McEvoy, Philippa Logan and Debbie Grey kept us royally fed and topped up with tea and coffee all day. Thank you all. As Wayfarer members we are very fortunate to belong to an Association which has such an experienced membership so willing to share their knowledge. All contributors were excellently prepared and presented in a light informative, entertaining manner with infectious enthusiasm.

Those of us attending had travelled from all across the country representing all ages and all sailing abilities. Everyone got involved and benefited from the event. Simon McEvoy organised the event superbly which ran to schedule and we were all very grateful to him and the other members who gave their time and knowledge so generously.

This event was enjoyable and informative leaving us with a feeling of gratitude and feeling privileged to be able to share in the legacy left to the Association by intrepid sailors and their adventures in this flexible and versatile boat. Now where is that Ocean Crossing video?

Thanks to Stuart Austin aka Wolfie, W10457