Folk that we proudly support
Alex Thomson has been with us at Haslar Marina for nearly 14 years. He came to use for help orginally with an Open 50 (Sailthatdream.com) and has worked his way up to competing at the 
highest level with single and two handed races. Not least including the infamous Vendee Globe where Alex will circumnavigate his powerful Open 60 Hugo Boss single handed, non-stop around the world. Alex holds many world records including the accolade of the youngest skipper to win an around the world race (1999 Clipper race) and the tender age of 25. www.alexthomsonracing.com
Brian Thompson has been with us for many years. He was first based here with Pindar Ocean Racing - like Alex 
Thomson, competing at the highest level as skipper of Pindar's Open 60. Brian boasts 27 world records (see www.brianthompsonsailing.com), with the latest being onboard the Banque Populaire V (which smashed the fastest around the world record). He started a single handed sailing academy at Haslar in 2011, which is growing quickly in popularity!
Olly Rowfix has a fantastic story having beaten leukaemia in 2005. He has circumnavigated the British Isles in 2011 to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust (where the bone marrow donar that saved Olly's life was found) in an 18' sailboat. www.olivers-travels.co.uk
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue have been supported by us in many ways over the years. They have been given complimentary overnight berths if their operations have dictated that they are away from their base. We have dedicated the money raised from many of our berth holder parties to them. For full details on what they do, please visit www.gafirs.org.uk. One third of the 2012 berth holder party money will go to them.
We have a close relationship with the Gosport Sea Cadets. Many of our berth holders carry out voluntry work for them and through this connection we have dedicated all of the proceeds from the 2010 berth holder party to their cause and have donated 50% of the 2011 party's to them as well. Please see http://units.ms-sc.org/gosport/Default for more information. One third of the 2012 berth holder party money will go to them.
As a marina we are considered 'a crew member' of the Mary Rose. This followed a number of the marina staff personally contributing to the fund to help them create their exciting new museum. One third of the proceeds of the 2012 berth holder party will also go towards this worthwhile charity as they try to open their new museum by the end of 2012. This museum will allow visitors to walk over three decks, with the original artifacts and hull on one side and a mock up of how the ship would have looked on the other. Please see http://www.maryrose.org for more information.
Haslar Marina has keenly supported local swimmer Anna Wardley, who has done just about every imaginable long distance swim, including the English Channel and from Europe to Asia. In 2012 Anna will be aiming to complete a Five Island swim (please see her website for more details http://www.annawardley.com), which includes Jersey, the Isle of Wight and Portsea Island (Portsmouth!). The Portsmouth swim will take place (weather permitting) on June 19th 2012 and Haslar Marina will lend the services of it's RIB as the main safety boat. Anna will be raising a great deal of money, which will be equally split between Toe in the Water http://toeinthewater.org, The Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org and Sail Africa, who get African underprivileged children out on the water (Sail Africa have just named their latest vessel, "The Spirit of Anna Wardley" in recognition of the money she has raised for them and the inspiration she has given to many African kids.
The Gosport Youth Afloat Project will be joining us during the summer on a permanent basis. They will take teenagers, who have been nominated by local caring agencies and Police, from disadvantaged homes and who have difficulty integrating with society. As a new entity they will be supported by GroundWork Solent http://www.groundwork-solent.org.uk, who will offer all of the required support and insurances. As part of our ethos to help the local community, we feel this worthwhile charity really fits the bill.
Haslar Marina, along with other local companies and Councils, paid to create a company called Portsmouth Harbour Events Ltd, which was run by the energetic Andrew McCall (Davina's father!). The company was able to bring the 2006 Volvo Round the World Race to Gunwharf Quays and most of all bring the International Festival of the Seas to the harbour in 2001 and 2005 - the latter being particularly memorable as it marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.