St Malo

French OGA Presidente Anne Metel invites you to their big Spring Rally in St. Malo.

At the OGA’s Annual General Meeting in Gloucester Anne said:

‘We are delighted to invite British and Irish Gaffers to join us at our big event on June 6^th to 9^th to celebrate our town’s rich heritage with the traditional boats we all cherish’.

In the name of conservation and the celebration of our rich heritage we would like to put our Vieux Gréements (Old Riggers) into the spotlight sharing our passion for these boats with our friends.

We promise an action packed and eventful weekend on the quayside, and on the water. We will be celebrating in the very place our Fédération des vieux Gréement de France was born and where it later joined forces with the UK OGA.

Berthing, parking and launching for trailer sailors will be free. Our aim is to bring together Vieux Gréements from near, far, and wide. Spain, the Netherlands and Italy will be represented so we need the UK and Ireland too! Expect racing in the bay, heritage exhibits, parades of sail, dinghy sailing, ‘rubber flubber’ fun, skulling , shanties, folk bands, dancing and more!

Trailer Sailers

Free parking for both towing vehicle (car or camper-van) and trailer with boat has been arranged for those towing their boat via ferry.

Getting there

Those sailing across are encouraged to meet up in the Solent in advance. Opportunities range from joining the flagship Yarmouth Gaffers Regatta to cruising in company across the channel. Plans are being developed and your thoughts would be welcome.

Registration?

The form below should be sent to oldgaffersfrance@gmail.com, please copy in solsec@oga.org.uk

Or, please visit the Solent Gaffers St. Malo page, where you can register your interest for St. Malo and also contribute to the planning of support events in the Solent and cruising in company across the Channel.

Anne Metal welcomes UK & Ireland to St Malo!

Post AGM St Malo Update!

Madame la Présidente OGA France: Anne Metel and our president Mike Beckett hold up the poster for next June's big St Malo rally.

Anne sent out a heartfelt invitation to all UK and Irish Gaffers at the AGM in Gloucester. It's going to be big, with much by way of events and jollifications.

Boats from the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and the Uk are expected to join over a hundred boats from all over France to celebrate the revival of the Old Gaffers in France.

Free berthing in the old harbour along the old walks. Free parking for trailer sailers and camper vans right on the quay by the fleet.

Look out for more details and registration forms here in the coming days.

St Malo - November Update

Plans for the big French OGA Rally In St Malo are moving on at pace. A firm program for the three day event is due very soon and we will publish it here. What is clear is that St Malo Gaffers are planning a fabulous event and they want the OGA to come and join the party. The organisers are currently working on final agreement with the town and harbour commissioners. I visited St Malo last month for their laying up party and was impressed with the energy. Over 200 old and new Gaffer recruits were present along with their boats, accordions, sea shanties and beer barrels! All to help wash down the excellent snails and raclette in the quayside warehouse.That was before the folk band spontaneously emerged from the crowd and people got stuck into the circle dancing.

There will be jollifications with a french twist next June. They are planning for 100 traditional boats or more. St Malo's 'vieux port', set against the town's old stone walls, creates a picturesque and welcoming setting for the Gaffer masts, tanned canvas, and fluttering bunting. The French OGA are keen to add the colours of the British ensign. For us St Malo's accessibility by ferry from Porstmouth is a big plus.The terminal is within 100 yards of events. Handy too for crew exchanges, families joining skippers, and for trailer sailors coming from further afield. St Malo has launching ramps, beaches and hotels/air BnBs in buckets. (Some at least, at prices that won't burn the pocket! )

Recent reports of several East Coast and Solent boats expressing interest is good news. Registration details to come later.

The rally itself is on 6-8th of June. Solent Gaffers plan to leave from Yarmouth on or about May 31st, a week ahead, and to sail via the Channel Islands. The aim is to, go with the tides and weather, to break up the journey, to rest when needed and to make an adventure of it. East Coasters and So'westers are of course very welcome to join the Solent 'fleet' from Yarmouth.

And en route,a welcoming French flotilla plans to meet us halfway, and sail south with us via the Iles Chausey. (Check them out on the charts). They assure us that this rocky archipelago is not the challenge it looks to be, and offers a very delightful and safe free anchorage.

Finally, for those who don't have a boat but want to join the sailing party, we are negotiating with a St Malo OGA Pilot Cutter Skipper to come over to Southampton, to pick up passengers and join the fleet. Not yet guaranteed, but watch this space for details..

Any questions? Contact Ben Collins at bencollinsbmc@gmail.com or Grant Morris solsec@oga.org.uk and might be able to help. However we will update on news of programmes and registration procedures on this page, so keep checking here over the coming weeks.