CGSC ANNUAL RENDEZVOUS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
UPDATED 01/24/2012
1. I’ve never been to the Annual Rendezvous. What is it?
It’s the most fun the CGSC has each year! Basically, we all sail down to Elliott Key for a weekend of food, drink and games. You make reservations ahead of time, which covers your fun for all three days.
While most boats arrive Saturday morning, a good number sail down Friday for an evening potluck and BYOB raft-up. The Club provides its famous Rendezvous Bean Soup for that event.
On Saturday, the fun moves to the actual island, where we set up a grill, island bar, tables, chairs, tents, crafts, kayak races and some fun games. Plus we serve up food and drink all day and evening. Then it’s back to the boats to sleep, followed by a Sunday morning breakfast and clean-up.
2. What does the admission fee get you?
Admission covers a barbecue lunch on Saturday and a shrimp boil that night, plus soda, water beer and rum punch for as long as it lasts (we rarely run out), and a continental breakfast Sunday morning.
3. Are my kids going to have fun?
Absolutely! The Annual Rendezvous would be no fun without kids, and we make sure they have a fun time. We’ll have games and activities for them all day. Teenagers should enjoy the kayak races, and kids of all ages will love the 2012 Holokai Treasure Hunt. (And, yes we do mean “all ages.’’)
4. What should I bring?
You’ll find a checklist in the rendezvous packet. Aside from those provisions, you also should be ready to be self-sufficient if you need to be.
Should weather or circumstances intervene, you might find yourself on your boat for longer than you expected, and you won’t want to go hungry or thirsty. Pack some emergency rations just in case. And for sure: bring ice. The club won’t have any to hand out on the island.
5. Do I need a dinghy?
No. The CGSC will provide launch service Saturday, and Sunday morning. We'll be monitoring Channel 78. Friday night, we plan a raft-up off the island. Sometimes the weather is too choppy for boats to tie-up together, so a dinghy would be needed for you to get from boat to boat. No launch service is planned Friday night.
Obviously, for the weekend, if you can bring a dinghy, it would be a big help. The more members who can get themselves back and forth from the island, the better. And launch service will end Saturday evening, so if you want to stay late make sure you or a friend has a dink!
6. Can I get to the Rendezvous if I don’t have a boat?
Not really. You either need to have a boat or be invited to crew on a boat. Though we did last year, we aren’t able to offer day trips to the Rendezvous this year.
7. Is the Rendezvous only open to members of the CGSC?
No, but it is limited to members and their guests. Elliott Key is a federal park, and anyone is free to come. But to enjoy the Rendezvous food and drink, you’ll need a reservation and that needs to be made through a CGSC member.
But as long as you’re paying for the guests, they’re certainly welcome to bring their boats and we’ll include them in the launch service.
8. Where on Elliott is the actual rendezvous?
In Elliott Key Harbor, fairly near the ranger station. The coordinates are roughly 25.272 N and 80.118 W.
9. Are you allowed to camp on Elliott?
Yes, but there are restrictions. Visit the Elliott Key website at http://www.nps.gov/bisc/planyourvisit/elliottkey.htm for more details.
10. Should I bring a costume?
Of course. Bring your grass skirt or your hawaiian shirt that screams "ALOHA". We will have a contest during the afternoon Social Hour to determine who has truely embraced the "Holokia" theme. A good Polynesian tattoo could make someone stand out in this competition.
11. Is there anything I can do to help?
Absolutely. If you feel comfortable operating a small motor boat, you can volunteer for a shift on the launch.
We need boats to bring down some small supplies. And we need a clean-up crew Sunday morning so that we can leave the island exactly as we found it. We're usually looking for boats willing to take back a bag of trash with them -- a dinghy in tow is great for the big ones!
12. How much food should I bring to the potluck raft-up on Friday?
Not too much. What you would bring to a small potluck dinner-- enough for four or six people.
Have a question you want answered? Email it to Rear Commodore Sean Connett at sean.connett@cgsc.org