FEATURE
Boating
for all
fun
N
the family
ow in its third year, the popular
Bembridge Harbour Family Fun
Weekend kicks off on Friday 31st July,
with harbour staff welcoming visiting boats
for an evening on the Duver, with delicious
freshly cooked food and live music for
skippers and crews.
On Saturday down at the Duver pontoon,
there’ll be crabbing competitions (mainly
for the children but with a separate category
for competitive dads!), the Bembridge RNLI
Lifeboat will open for tours, and Tackt-Isle
Adventures will provide kit, instructors and
safety boats for paddleboard and kayak
taster “splash” sessions.
Meanwhile, outside the Harbour entrance,
dinghies and keelboats will be vying for
position in Bembridge Sailing Club’s event,
the Bembridge Village Regatta.
In the afternoon shore-side activities move
to Bembridge Point Beach for a puppet
show, beach games, races and a sandcastle/
sand sculpture building competition. The
Harbour will be full of boats decorated with
flags, and winners of the best-dressed boats
will be judged during the afternoon.
At the end of the evening, Dance on the
Duver is rounded off with a spectacular
fireworks display.
The weekend is in support of the Hampshire
and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, with
individual events also supporting other Island
charities. All activities are free of charge but
voluntary donations are much appreciated.
The main event on Sunday 2nd August is
the Great Bembridge Paper Boat Race - all
competitors have to do is make a paper boat
that floats! Hosted by and run from Brading
Haven Yacht Club, there are separate classes
for children and adults, and racing will be
followed by a barbecue for participants,
spectators and families.
Full details can be found at: www.
bembridgeharbour.co.uk
www.visitilife.com
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