BCA Thanksgiving Rendezvous

The Thanksgiving Rendezvous is the last Bluewater Cruising Association (BCA) rendezvous of the year, organised by the Calgary BCA Chapter.

A BCA Rendezvous is very casual and largely unstructured get-together to provide an opportunity for sailors (and power boaters and would-be sailors) with a common interest in offshore adventuring to rub shoulders for fun, laughs, mutual help, and to trade stories and gear at a popular, central location.

Everyone is welcome — members, prospective members, past members and guests, young and old. We welcome boats of all sorts, sizes and condition.

No Boat?  No Problem.

If you do not have a boat nearby, you can attend by coming for a day or by staying at the Thetis Island Marina and Pub’s rental suites. Or, you can make it known on the BCA website or the Thanksgiving list that you are willing to crew. You will also find information on alternate transportation and accommodation on the website.

Schedule of Events

Friday

Afternoon: 

• A few early boats begin to arrive, check in with the Marina, and register with BCA.
• Reunion with friends and meeting new friends.
• Visiting, walking, exploring, pub time, etc.
• Supper on your boat, the dock, or the restaurant.  (BBQ available in the covered outdoor meeting area.)

Evening: 

• Story Telling/Liar’s Contest and visiting in the pub and on boats.
• Mingle and make new friends. Share problems and seek solutions.
• Projection equipment is available, so bring your slides on a thumb drive (USB stick) and don’t be shy.

Saturday

Morning: 

• 0900 – 1000: Coffee on the dock.
• 1000: Announcements on dock at the host boat and on the bulletin board.
  (Also an opportunity to recruit help and or advice from fellow sailors.)
• Boats continue to arrive, check in with the Marina, and register with BCA.
• Visiting, walking, exploring, beachcombing…

Afternoon: 

• Visiting, walking, exploring, beachcombing, pub time, etc.
• 1400 – 1500: Boat Visits — If you welcome visitors aboard, indicate so by hanging a tea towel in the rigging or lifelines.
• 1500-1600:  Swap on the dock –  a chance to display and swap or sell boating items.  Bring cash.
  BCA items will be available for purchase on the dock at that time.  A bulletin board will be available for posting ads.
• 1630: Announcements on dock at the host boat.  (Also an opportunity to recruit help and/or advice from fellow sailors.)
• 1630 (+/-) Happy Appie hour – Bring appetisers and snacks to share.
• 1730: Pot Luck.  Bring one dish (one main dish, plus a veggie dish or dessert), drinks,  and your own plates, glasses and cutlery.

Evening:

• Visiting, pub time, etc. We have projection equipment, so bring your slides on a thumb drive (USB stick) and don’t be shy.

Sunday

Morning:

• 0900 Sharp: Roll Call on VHF Channel 68.
• 0900 – 1000: Coffee and pastries on the dock.
• 1000: Announcements on dock at the host boat.  (Also an opportunity to recruit help and/or advice from fellow sailors.)
• Visiting, walking, beachcombing, exploring…
• 1300 – 1500: (+/-) Model boat construction.
• 1400 – 1500: Boat Visits — If you welcome visitors aboard, indicate so by hanging a tea towel in the rigging or lifelines.
• 1400-1500:  Swap on the dock –  a chance to display and swap or sell boating items.  Bring cash.
• 1530 (+/-) Model boat race
• 1700: Happy Hour.
  Announcements on dock at the host boat.  (Also an opportunity to recruit help and/or advice from fellow sailors.)
• 1730:  Traditional Turkey Supper in restaurant and on deck, weather permitting. Book ahead with the restaurant by phone or email and pay at the restaurant.

Evening:

• Visiting, discussions, pub time, etc.
• Projection equipment is available, so bring your slides on a thumb drive (USB stick) and don’t be shy.

Monday

Morning:

• 0900 – 1000: Coffee and leftover pastries on the dock.
• Good-byes.
  It’s over.  Most boats will depart by 1200.

There will be lots of prizes!