The Next Hui Gathering Is Here!
Join us for a weekend of Wharram Micro Adventures. 3rd, 4th, 5th August 2024, in Cornwall, UK. All welcome - arrive with or without a boat.
We are having another Annual Hui! This Hui will mark 70 years since James designed his first Catamaran 'Tangaroa' and we are excited that we will be mooring at Devoran Quay just a 5 minute walk from the Wharram Headquarters based in Cornwall. It would be lovely to celebrate his achievement with all of you.
If you have a boat you are welcome to sail to Devoran Quay and moor. We will provide a portaloo at the Quay. We are very close by if you need other facilities as well.
If you are interested in joining us, please take a minute to fill out this short registration form so we can get a rough idea of numbers and boats in attendance. Thank you!
The Plan: Saturday 3rd August
Arrive by sea or car and gather at Devoran Quay at the top end of Restronguet creek - trailer boats can be assembled and launched on the beach by the quay. Devoran quay is a short walk from Wharram HQ, (people sailing in by boat - do feel free to contact us for directions). High tide is at 17:39 - the quay will be accessible by boat from around 15:15. We then gather for a fun evening of relaxed Hui-style 'Bring and share' food and drink starting at 18:00 at Wharram HQ, our BBQs will be lit to cook your own food. Listen to a briefing for the weekend from our team, meet head of JWD Hanneke Boon, share your sailing adventure stories with like-minded Wharram friends around the fire. Camp on your own boat, or if you are joining us without a boat - camp in your own (small) tent on our grounds. (There are also many B&Bs and a Premier Inn nearby).
Sunday 4th August
Sunday morning is for socialising and viewing the boats at the quay, whilst recovering from the night before. People who come without a boat will be able to sail on a boat of their choice. We depart Devoran Quay as soon as the tide is high enough at around 16.00 (high tide is at 18.19) for sailing in the Carrick Roads. We then head upriver to moor alongside Roundwood Quay, which is also accessible by road. More food and revelry round a campfire during the evening, ending with an overnight camp - either on your boat, or on the foreshore in your tent.
Monday 5th August
Move from our overnight mooring at around 8.00, before the tide drops too far (high water at 06.46), and raft up in deeper water for Breakfast. If the weather is good, the whole day can be spent sailing, with a break up the Helford river, or off one of the local beaches for lunch. Then either make your own way on to your next destination, or sail back to Devoran Quay (accessible at 17:00 - high tide 18:58), to continue home by road or camp for another evening by the fire at Wharram HQ.
Register Your Interest
If you are interested in joining us, please take a minute to fill out this short registration form so we can get a rough idea of numbers and boats in attendance.
See You There!
We hope that once again the Wharram Hui Cornwall will be a great way for Wharram boat owners and enthusiasts to come together for a fun weekend gathering of kindred Wharram spirits. Indeed, if any of you would like to arrive a day or two earlier, we'd love to welcome you - come and help us lash the cats together prior to the weekend!
Please be aware that plans are liable to change due to weather. That said, the 2023 Hui was plagued with bad weather but that didn't stop us from having a great time and a lot of fun was had!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
James Wharram on the 'Micro Adventure' concept (2018)
The concept of 'micro-adventures', has been a way of thinking and living all my life. In the book I'm writing on my early youth, I describe my life between the ages of 16 & 18 when I roamed alone over the moors and hills of the Lake and Peak Districts and later Scotland, with minimum of gear. There was none! The 'War' had just ended. Boots, windproof clothes and rucksacks were not available. Each weekend & longer holiday break, with the lack of modern fashionable gear - effectively became my very own 'micro adventure'.
I suppose my first Atlantic crossing, on a 23'6" self-built catamaran, could also be described as an 'extended micro adventure'.
Around 2010 in the Geographic Magazine, my attention was drawn to the book 'Micro Adventures' by Alistair Humphries. I bought it and relived my teenage years and attitudes to adventure in its pages.
However, it was Pierre-Yves (a French student who spent a three months internship with us in 2017) who first turned my reminiscing into reality. He reassembled our Tahiti Wayfarer double canoe - a design I had mentally neglected amongst so many ocean-going designs. During his stay with us, whenever the tide was high, he sailed it on our creek and around the Fal Estuary; sliding along close to the trees in the creeks, exploring the foreshores and then braving the wider waters of Carrick Roads, through him my long ago micro adventure memories resurfaced.
How To Find Us - Wharram HQ
James Wharram Designs is situated in Devoran, close to Truro, Cornwall's only city. Simply follow the A39 from Truro, turn off at the Devoran roundabout and follow Greenbank Road. Nearby is Perranwell train station - a 15 minute walk to Devoran - which has links to the rest of the country via Truro train station.
Devoran Quay
Devoran Quay can be accessed by boat after the tide permits at 15:15 (high tide at 17:39) on Saturday 3rd August. From the Cornish coast, enter the Carrick Roads and continue north until you find Restronguet creek - Devoran Quay is situated at the west end of the creek, very close to Wharram HQ.