Long Lazy Lunch Sail Port Stephens raises $ for Safety of Lives at Sea

12:49 AM Wed 18 Feb 2009 GMT

'Long Lazy Lunch at Sail Port Stephens to foster a similar spirit to the Beneteau Loud Shirt Lunch at Hammo - Sail Port Stephens' Vicsail staff member Click Here to view large photo

A lay day in the middle of a regatta is traditionally a day to kick back and relax, organise repairs and get ready for the rest of the week.

And it's a great excuse to enjoy a long lazy lunch with crew, family and friends.

At Sail Port Stephens this year, the Long Lazy Lunch will take up most of the afternoon of Thursday the 23rd of April, and over a bottle or two of quality Wild Oats wines, there'll be some dollars raised for SOLAS - Safety of Lives at Sea, the charity established by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia after the 1998 Sydney to Hobart.

The CYCA Solas Trusts Charity was set up as a charitable trust in 1999 as a result of the tragic events of the 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

To date almost $450,000 has been donated to search and rescue organizations Australia wide and has provided financial support to immediate families of those lost at sea during Australian Yachting Federation sanctioned races.

The CYCA Solas Trusts also aims to foster & fund research and training in safety & rescue procedures.

CYCA Commodore and Sail Port Stephens Patron, Matt Allen is delighted with the charity being included at
Sail Port Stephens.

'Whilst the SOLAS Trusts charity is run by the CYCA, it benefits the entire sailing community, and we're looking forward to enjoying a great lunch that raises money that goes towards a number of very valuable initiatives over a calendar year.' he said

Hosted in a similar tradition and with the same focus on fun as the Beneteau Loud Shirt lunch held at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, the Long Lazy Lunch at Sail Port Stephens will be held at Peppers Anchorage in Merrets Restaurant - overlooking the Anchroage Marina and the vista of the Bay.

An afternoon of prizes and tall tales is on the agenda, with plans underway to feature an entertaining guest speaker.

SLAM will showcase some of their latest gear, from the technical offshore wear and day racing gear to the all important apr?s sailing range.

Tickets for the Long Lazy Lunch, which includes a delicious 2 course meal + beer and Wild Oats Wines from
12:30 to 3:30, are just $75, and will be available for purchase closer to the regatta date.

From little things, big things grow, and Sail Port Stephens would not be possible without the support of the foundation partner group of Nelson Bay Diggers, Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, Peppers Anchorage and All Seasons Salamander Shores -as well as the resource contributions of the supporting partner group in SLAM, d'Albora Marina, Yachting NSW and Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council.

For updates and more details, go to www.sailportstephens.com.au