Rallies

There are five well established regional groups in England - the South Coast, South West, East Coast, North West and North East, each of which has produced a rally programme for many years.   Now in 2023, there are some corners of the country where members would like to see more rallies taking place to provide more opportunities to meet and sail with other members.  So in 2024 we will have a new group in the South East and one in the Midlands, to be known as the Midlands Ditchcrawlers. 

 Typical rally locations for each area are outlined below, together with links to view the planned dates for the current year.

​South Coast

The South  coast is one of the most active areas for rallies. Some of the places they visit include:
  • East Head, Chichester Harbour
  • Bembridge
  • River Medina, Folly Inn
  • Oxey Lake
  • The Kench, Langstone harbour
  • Wootton Bridge
  • Poole Harbour
  • Ashlett Creek, Southampton Water
There is a special camping fortnight at Cobnor, Chichester Harbour each year - a highlight of the South East season.

2024 Rally Programme

​South West
​​In the South West rallies may be planned to explore some of these locations and places:
  • Plymouth Sound and the River Tamar
  • River Exe
  • Carrick Roads
  • Fowey
  • River Dart
  • Truro

2024 Rally Programme

North West

The North West hosts rallies in the Lakes and a number of coastal locations, for example:
  • Coniston
  • Derwentwater
  • The Dee Estuary
  • Glasson and the River Lune
  • Ullswater
  • Windermere

2024 Rally Programme
Picture
Picnic spot on Coniston

​North East

The North East is a tricky area for dinghy cruising. Kielder Water in Northumberland has proved very popular though and a couple of rallies are usually held there, including the Border Reivers rally which starts at Kielder  and then heads north, over the border to St. Mary's Loch  in Scotland. 

Rallies have been held  at   Lindisfarne in the past. Suggestions for other locations would be welcome.

2024 Rally Programme 

East Coast

The East Coast rallies often involve exploring the following rivers:
  • River Deben
  • Rivers Ore and Alde
  • River Crouch
  • River Blackwater
  • River Colne
  • River Orwell and Stour

2024 Rally Programme
Picture
Iken Cliff on the River Alde © Terry Shave

South East

Picture
Bewl Water
Rally venues already proposed for this new regional group include:
  • Bewl Water
  • Weir Wood Reservoir
  • Ardingly Reservoir
and it is hoped members will be able to suggest other suitable locations for rallies,  e.g.
  • on the River Medway 
  • at Rye or
  • on the River Thames

2024 Rally Programme

The Midlands Ditchcrawlers


​Initial ideas for rallies in this new regional group include:
  • Exploring the River Severn from Avon Sailing Club, up river or down 
  • Exploring  downriver from Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Joining Lydney Yacht Club on the Gloucester Round - up river on spring tide, over the weir at Gloucester, back down the Gloucester - Sharpness canal
  • Paddling the Llangollen canal

​2024 Rally Programme
Picture
River Avon