Hampton Public Piers

Sounds like a natural stop for all cruisers heading south during the fall, 2013 transient season. I am sure that SSECN strategic partners, Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of “On The Water ChartGuides” (http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/), will make GREAT featured speakers, and the comradeship with fellow southbound cruisers is simply beyond price!

PRESS RELEASE
CRUISER’S RENDEZVOUS ANNOUNCED FOR HAMPTON!
The inaugural Hampton Snowbird Rendezvous (HSR) will be held this fall from 18-20 October. The city of Hampton, [Virginia] situated at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, is a natural stop for sailors headed to Florida, the Bahamas and points south. Based from the city’s downtown public marina, this event will be filled with cruising-related educational seminars with featured speakers Mark & Diana Doyle, publishers of “On The Water Chartguides,” entertainment by local bands, tours of area attractions and great food provided by Hampton’s finest restaurants. Discounted dockage will be provided by the Hampton Public Piers and all HSR events are FREE to visiting cruisers. This event is sponsored in part by the Downtown Hampton Development Partnership (DHDP) and the Hampton Convention and Visitors Bureau (HCVB).
For more information, visit the event web site at http://HamptonRendezvous.weebly.com. Space is limited and boaters are encouraged to sign up early via our web site or via email at HamptonRendezvous@gmail.com.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, October 18 ‘“ Arrivals/Registration
All Day:
Arrivals/Docking Hampton Public Piers
US Coast Guard Auxiliary Inspections
Onboard Communications Assistance
Provisioning shuttles to West Marine & Farm Fresh

Noon ‘“ 5:00 pm Registration
3:00 pm ‘“ 6:00 pm Rendezvous Social & Welcome (at LaBodega)
Dinner on own in downtown Hampton

Saturday, October 19 ‘“ Seminars @ the Fellowship Hall at the United Methodist Church
8:00 am ‘“ 9:00 am Continental breakfast Sponsored by Joy’s Marina
9:00 am ‘“ 10:00 am Southbound on the ICW
An overview of the trip, state-by-state, introducing the routes, navigation, bridges/locks, marinas, anchorages, ranges, security zones, and more.
10:15 am ‘“ 11:15 am Budgeting for Your Trip
Ideas for planning and managing and ICW budget
11:30 am ‘“ 12:30 pm ICW Moorage: 50 Frugal Stops
Beyond anchorages: free docks and walls, moorings, and buck-or-less-a-foot marinas.
12:30 pm ‘“ 2:00 pm Lunch Crowne Plaza Dockside Room
2:00 pm ‘“ 3:00 pm 30 Great ICW Anchorages
Some of these anchorages are well-known, but many are chosen as great alternatives to the well- worn path.
3:15 pm ‘“ 4:15 pm ICW Weather Tools
4:30 pm ‘“ 5:30 pm Mobile Apps for Mariners
Smartphone, tablet and laptop tools for an ICW southbound cruiser
6:30 pm ‘“ 10:00 pm Dinner & Dancing Hampton Yacht Club

Sunday, October 20 ‘“ Roundtable / Tours / Provisioning / Inspections
9:00 am ‘“ 10:30 am Breakfast Sponsored by The Appraisal Co.
9:00 am ‘“ 5:00 pm Destinations & Diversions Roundtable Discussions
US Coast Guard Auxiliary Inspections
Onboard Communications Assistance: VHF/SSB/Ham, WiFi Boosters
Provisioning shuttles to West Marine & Farm Fresh
Optional tour to Ft. Monroe / Casemate Museum