Braassemermeer Easter Regatta in Holland 2010

It is expected that the organisers of the Braassemermeer Easter Regatta in Holland will grant IODAI an allocation of 30 places for suitable sailors at next year’s 2010 Easter Regatta.

The IODAI Committee have decided to initially invite the top 10 Junior sailors from the current rankings and the  top 20 Senior sailors from the January 2010 rankings which will be published as early as possible in January to reflect the compulsory retirees and as many as possible of voluntary retirees.  It is hoped to anticipate the January rankings and issue official invitations to Braassemermeer before Christmas.  Official rankings will not be changed until January but most sailors should already be able to estimate where they will appear in these rankings and if they will be in the top 20 or not.

Sailors and parents wishing to take up these invitations should be aware that Braassemermeer is a very tough regatta, with long races in often challenging conditions.  A look at 2008’s event report and pictures may assist in deciding whether this event is for you or not.  http://www.iodai.com/live/487.html and http://www.iodai.com/gallery/Brass-weather-in-Holland . 2009’s event was somewhat milder and took place in generally cool sunshine.

For 2010 the sailors in the ISA National Optimist Squad have been “encouraged” to attend Braassemermeer.  IODAI and the ISA would like to see as many of these sailors as possible attending the event.  As our top sailors, who have enjoyed the benefits of the ISA Squad training, they are among our best chances for securing “cards” and associated Irish Sport Council funding for the class.  

As in previous year’s it is expected that not all sailors may take up their invitation. 

Last year 16 sailors attended Braassemermeer but the event logistics could cater for up to 30 sailors.  So, there may be some spare places.  IODAI would like to see as many sailors as possible benefit from attendance at Braassemermeer. 

In the event of extra places being available, attendance may be offered to other deserving sailors who would be capable of handling the rigours of the event.  If any sailor feels they would like to attend, their application would be considered if circumstances permit. 

If you would like to be considered for an additional place, please e-mail honsec@iodai.com expressing your interest before 31st December.  You should outline any circumstances which would justify an invitation and whether a parent will attend the event.   Only sailors who submit such an application will be considered for additional places.

Cost of Braassemermeer

Based on last year’s finances, the cost of attending Braassemermeer in 2010 is likely to be in the region of €900 PER SAILOR.

This cost includes:

·         Event entry

·         Transport of boats to event or charter if necessary (includes free use of trailer)

·         All coaching fees - three days pre-event coaching and coaching during event (includes coaches accommodation etc) 

·         Hire of cruiser for use by sailors and parents during event

·         Hire of coach RIB(s), fuel, etc

·         All lunches, drinks, bars, water, coffee etc for sailors and parents while on board the cruiser

·         Hire cars / mini buses for all airport transfers and road transport during event

·         Team Gear (Partially sponsored in 2009)

·         Miscellaneous taxis, sundries as necessary

Notes: 

o   The above costings are per sailor.  There are no additional costs for parents attending.

o   One coach (Thomas) normally supplied free by ISA

o   Thomas’s RIB comes FREE

o    2/3 coaches dependent on numbers.

o   These costs are based on last year’s attendance of 16 sailors and may change particularly if more sailors attend which would spread fixed costs and in particular the hire of the cruiser.

o   Although welcome, it is not necessary for parents to travel and a "team mum" facility will be considered for sailors travelling without parents. No doubt there will be the normal mutual arrangements between parents for specific sailor responsibility.  Final arrangements will be made when it is known which sailors and parents intend to travel.

o   The costings include all transport requirements which is dependent on all sailors and parents staying at the designated hotel and as far as possible getting the recommended flights.

o   Some research is currently ongoing to reduce some of the costs however this is not expected to be significant.

Not included:

·         Flights to Amsterdam for sailors and parents

·         The above are the recommended flights (from Dublin) and are currently priced at €145 return inc. fees and charges.  Cork flights are available at around the same time and are currently only €114 return inc. fees and charges.

·         Hotel accommodation for sailors and parents - 6 nights (€40 - €55 B&B dependent on room sharing).  We have a deal and instructions are given as to how to make a booking. 

·         Evening meals (Sailors approx €10; parents reasonable)

General information on itinerary, dates, flights etc:

·         The event consists of 3 days pre-event training. 

·         Boats should arrive at the venue on the morning of Tuesday 30^th March 2010. 

·         Parents and sailors should plan to arrive around the same time.

·         Use of recommended flights minimises transfer journeys by hire cars / minibuses and maximises coaching time.

·         Dependent on the number of sailors attending, a number of 9 seater minibuses will be hired (two in 2009).  Volunteer parents will be needed to drive these during the trip (two drivers per vehicle is best).

·         Boats are unpacked from the trailer and the first coaching session should get under way after lunch. 

·         The cruiser will be available at the venue for use by all. 

·         Food for lunches is bought locally and prepared by parents to sailors requirements.

·         The cruiser is used to travel to and from the hotel each day (except the last two days when the bridges are closed due to the Easter holidays.  Hire cars and minibuses are used)

·         Hotel is the Avifauna (approximately 2 miles by canal and 8 miles by road)

·         Hotel website (in Dutch) http://www.avifauna.nl/

·         Hotel on Trip Advisor http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g580398-d578635-Reviews-Van_der_Valk_Hotel_Avifauna-Alphen_aan_den_Rijn_Zuid_Holland.html

·         The hotel is attached to a bird park which is a great place for the sailors to “chill” should they have any free time.

·         Two days coaching Wednesday and Thursday 31^st March and 1^st April

·         Regatta; Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  2^nd - 5^th April.  Regatta usually finishes in the early afternoon.   Packing of boats unto trailer and sailors and parents travel to airport for flights home.

·         Boats will be brought directly to Trials venue; Lough Derg on Thursday 8^th April

·         Flights are currently available from Dublin and Cork