INTERNATIONAL TOPPER CLASS ASSOCIATION July 2018 Newsletter www.itcaworld.org www.facebook.com/itcaworld secretary@itcaworld.org No Images? Click here Hello Topper Sailors and supporters!The International Topper Class Association are delighted to report that plans for the 2018 Meisha Campus Topper World Championships are going very well. In mid-June, for the first time ever, entries had to close early as they reached the maximum:- 180 international entries plus 80+ Chinese entries! With over 260 sailors and representation from 20 countries across 5 continents, this will be the largest and most international Topper World Championships in history. Any additional entries are being added to the waiting list; if more boats become available they will be offered places on a first come first served. In view of the scale of the event, Vanhang Sailing invited Andy Millington, Roger Proctor and Michelle Hill from ITCA to Longcheer late June to ensure that all arrangements for the 2018 Meisha Campus Topper World Championship were going to plan. A busy series of meetings followed with Vanhang Sailing, Longcheer Yacht Club, Longcheer Hotel and our sponsors Meisha Campus and Vanke. The team also took time to explore the surrounding area to answer questions that had been raised by Topper sailors and families attending the event. Following please find some notes that you may find helpful: ARRIVING IN HONG KONG You will pass through Hong Kong security before collecting your bags. They are very health conscious and so there is a large camera which checks for people with a higher than normal temperature; you may be taken aside to have your temperature taken individually (just an infrared tool directed at you, not actually touching you). TRAVEL TO THE EVENT Transfers to the event will be from Hong Kong Airport. The pick-up point will be in front of the Pret-A-Manger in Terminal A, where there are lavatories and a small seating area. It is on the left-hand side when you come through Arrivals area A, if you come through arrivals B, you should make your way there. You will be met by an English-speaking representative from Vanhang Sailing / ITCA. Buses will be air conditioned but without lavatories. Bottled water will be available on the bus and you can purchase refreshments from Pret before departure if you wish. Pick up point for transfers, in Arrivals Hall A. Seating area and toilets are across from Pret a Manger. If you have not done so already, please fill in the booking and transfer form if you would like to be transferred from the airport to the event. This will allow accurate planning for numbers. If you are on the pre-tour or post-tour, your transfers are included free. If you are not transferring directly from your flight or from one of the tours, you may be responsible for your own transfer. Vanhang will advise ITCA of a recommended service. It takes approximately 2 hours to drive to Longcheer Yacht Club, broken up by a border crossing. We have experienced 2 border crossings; one is 20 minutes away and the other an hour away from the airport. The closer one has limited opening times and both will be used depending on your arrival time. You will cross 2 border points, the first when you depart Hong Kong, the second when you enter mainland China. In order to cross the borders, you will have to disembark the bus and put all your luggage through a security machine. You will present your passport and immigration card which you will complete to immigration and will have virtual fingerprints taken by a scanner, as in many other airports around the world. None of this takes very long. The Bus will meet you on the other side so make sure you know what your bus looks like. You will have the support and be accompanied by an English speaking Vanhang team member who will advise and support you. Vanhang and ITCA who are looking forward to welcoming you to Longcheer! HOTEL There has been rapid and significant progress on the hotel since the Topper Asians. The completed rooms are very well designed, spacious and each with their own balcony overlooking the bay. Some questions that were raised about the rooms were:- Twin, King and Family Rooms already booked through Michelle are priced at 560 RMB per night, including breakfasts. Camp rooms booked through Michelle are 80 RMB pppn with a minimum occupancy of 8. Bookings from 1 July will be done through the hotel directly and may incur a higher charge. Please contact Ken at the hotel via email. You will need to present a credit card at check-in, but not prior to departure from home. Payment to the hotel will be made by credit card or cash at checkout. Kettles, fridges and toiletries will be provided in all rooms. The hotel we stayed in provided tea bags but no instant coffee or milk. This may be the same situation at Longcheer. There will not be any safes in the rooms and valuables can be left in the reception’s safe. Airers will be supplied in the rooms to dry sailing kit. Plug sockets – accept European plugs, USA plugs and AUS plugs – see picture. View from Balconies over bay FINANCE The local currency is RMB (Chinese Yuan). The current rate at 9 July is 100 RMB = £11.33 = €12.84. For speed, dividing an RMB price by 10 roughly estimates the GBP/EUR rate. We would recommend that you get RMB from your bank or post office (E.G. in the UK) before departure or exchange at the airport on the way out, at least for the first few days of your stay. In Hong Kong we could only exchange with cash and the rate was not as good. Please check with your individual bank regarding any charges for using credit / debit cards in China. You may also need to advise your bank that you are travelling to China. Travellers cheques are not used in China. RMB can be used by some shops in Hong Kong airport but not all of them. Credit cards can be used in Hong Kong Airport. The maximum RMB to be brought legally into China is 20,000 RMB per person. The nearest ATM we found was in Dapeng which is a short distance away, and we will be running regular shuttle buses to and from Dapeng. There is an ATM in a neighbouring hotel but we could not get it to work with our cards. We did not see an ATM in the nearby fishing village, but that doesn’t mean to say there isn’t one. The boat deposit needs to be in RMB cash = 1,500 RMB. This will be refunded on the safe return of the boat and can be applied to your hotel bill should you wish. FOOD Food is very reasonably priced. We went to the supermarket in Dapeng to see what was available. You will see a lot of foods that are very similar to western products but with different labels. There are many western brands available too – look for the logos! Milk is available in all types including cow’s milk, soy, UHT etc. Bring Squash if you wish – not available in China. If you have specific items that you actually need e.g. particular cereals, bars, etc, please do bring your own. However, the choice in the supermarkets is very extensive. Please check on any restrictions on bringing the food you require into China. FOOD AT THE HOTEL / FISHING VILLAGE / DAPENG Breakfasts are included in the room rate and will include a range of food acceptable to both Chinese and Western palettes. Sailors are provided with a packed lunch on racing days. There will be food available all day at the hotel but we are not sure of the actual prices. Sailors get a ticket for the event meal on Saturday night included in their entry fee. Additional tickets for the special event meal are available to purchase at 168 RMB per person, with a discount for children. Evening meals at the hotel will be about 128 RMB per meal with a discount for children. There will be different buffet each night. Meals at the hotel can be charged to the room and paid by credit card on departure, or after eating. Most restaurants outside Longcheer do not accept credit cards unless they are from a Chinese bank, please take cash. Lunch prices in the fishing village (20 minute walk) are approximated at 50 RMB per person. We are advised that evening meals in the fishing village are inexpensive at approx 80-100 RMB pp (excluding drinks). We paid 408 RMB for an evening meal for 3 in the town, which included beverages.
Typical Chinese breakfast selection Dapeng - with western restaurant chains Neighbouring Fishing Village No, not straws - a chopstick dispenser! If you get the chance - try the Hotpot! Delicious! THINGS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN EATING OUT Practice using chopsticks! Many restaurants do not have forks and knives unless they are quite upmarket. Might be “BYO fork” if you have trouble using chopsticks? If you like salt and pepper you might wish to bring your own, packets are easier to carry. Meat is mostly served on the bone – fish, chicken, etc. The chicken is often cut into chunks and locals chew the pieces and then spit out the bones. It is all quite ‘freestyle’. Although we found most restaurants give you serviettes, you may want to bring extra serviettes or tissues with you just in case they are not supplied, and eating with chopsticks can be messy and fun! OUTDOORS Weather – whilst we were there it was hot and humid, with some rain showers. Be cautious of sun and heat exposure, so drink plenty of bottled water. Thunderstorms are common at this time of year. They come on quickly with heavy rain and thunder. Bring an umbrella! Umbrellas are also used by the locals for protection from the sun whilst walking and cycling. Make sure you bring plenty of your favourite high factor, waterproof sun cream; a hat and good sunglasses are also recommended. What sailing kit should I bring?This will be warm weather sailing, so rash vests, lightweight hikers, light spray tops, gloves and boots are recommended. Long sleeve rash vests have the added advantage of shielding you from the sun. Aquafleeces should not be required. Longcheer has training buoyancy aids for all competitors and parents; these may not have pockets. If you can fit it in, we would recommend bringing your own from home. Rooster has recommended an ideal range of products for use in China, available from www.roostersailing.com. Recommended Kit for China Mid Layer: Pro Rash Legs OR Thermaflex LongJohn 1.5mm. Both these products can use the Rooster Pro Hike Pads. Base or only top layer: Long Sleeve Rash Vest or Thermaflex Top 1.5mm. Footwear: Pro Laced Boots with a pair of Polypro Socks. Hands: Dura Pro 5 or 2 Finger Cut Gloves Buoyancy Aid: Overhead Buoyancy Aid Longcheer Bicicles for hire Dameisha ACTIVITIES The beach is lovely with clear warm water. Please bring your own beach towels – or purchase in a supermarket when you arrive, at approximately 45 RMB. The pool at the hotel may not be finished in time for the Topper Worlds. Day passes to the neighbouring hotel’s pool (it is lovely and a short walk away) will be available for 50 RMB per person per day at reception. The tennis courts and the climbing wall at the hotel are finished. Cycling – bikes are available for hire just a few minutes walk from the hotel. Watersports equipment is available for hire from Vanhang Sailing on site. Places on spectator boats will be available for purchase at reception for supporters. Alternatively – volunteer to help on the water! We often need help! We will be running regular shuttle buses to and from Dapeng. There are many shops and restaurants there, including western fast food restaurants like McDonalds and KFC, plus a supermarket which provides usual produce/products. Optional excursions may be arranged to the Geopark and Dameisha. Dameisha is a very nice town with an nice outlet centre (familiar high end stores), shops and restaurants. MINOR AILMENTS/PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLIES If you regularly use inhalers, epi pens, pain killers or whatever, ensure you bring them with you. It might be useful to bring a doctor’s note if bringing large amounts. There is a good chemist in Dapeng (and some stuff in the supermarket) but no English translation on the box, so care is required. Mosquitoes are prevalent in the evening in August, so some preventative supplies required. If you want advice talk to your Doctor. You should talk to your Doctor before travelling to check vaccinations and any medication. INTERNET Internet access is restricted in China. Some use VPNs to get around this but they are illegal in China, and there is some concern by the club about large amounts of people using VPNs in one location. Messenger, Whatsapp, Facebook, Google, etc do not work. The recommended search engine is Bing.com. USEFUL APPS RECOMMENDED BY THE LOCALS WeChat – messaging service used by the locals in China – can also be used at home to keep in touch Microsoft Translator also very helpful. Tai Chi being practiced outside in Dameisha. CHINESE PEOPLE & CUSTOMS The people in the area are very polite and are delighted to meet westerners. Try to speak Chinese to them; even a simple ‘Nee-How’ greeting elicits a big smile. You may get some stares as western faces are less common, especially if you have light hair or eye colour. Often the locals will try to practice their English with you, even it is just a series of ‘Hello, Hello, Hello!” They may wish to have their picture taken with you but will not be offended if you decline. Some toilets when you are out and about may be ‘continental style’ e.g. without a seat and without toilet paper, so maybe carry extra tissues to be on the safe side. The crime rate in the area is minimal, with many westerners expressing the sentiment that they felt more safe in China than they do in their home country. Tipping is not customary and in fact sometimes staff will come after you to return a tip. The tour guides will advise about tipping during the pre and post tour. Bartering is not customary in southern China (where the Worlds are) but is in northern China, for those on the post tour. At zebra crossings be cautious. You should assume cars have the right of way, not the pedestrians. Stand on the edge and do wait until cars stop for you. When out and about many locals travel on electric mopeds which are quiet, take care, they may ring there bell or buzzer to make you aware they are there. We hope you have found this newsletter helpful. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the International Secretary, Michelle Hill, who is happy to help. See you soon! 2018 Meisha Campus Topper World Championships |