This celebratory event, now rescheduled due to Covid lockdowns, marks the 20th 21st anniversary of the start of geocaching in May 2000. There's Pay & Display parking nearby, setup your craft and launch from anywhere along the beach, then head out to the posted co-ordinates. The event will run over 2 hours in total during which you're welcome to paddle out, relax and catch up with new and old caching friends. It's a nice spot to paddle about, see some wildlife, watch the shipping go by and see Fawley power station being demolished! Attendees will receive a new cache type icon and a profile souvenir to commemorate the 20th anniversary of geocaching.
Important information
This is a ‘T5’ terrain event and so you will need some form of watercraft to attend... be that a canoe, kayak, SUP, dinghy, etc. The event will be held in a tidal location with potentially strong currents and wash from large commercial shipping nearby. Not far out from the gravel beach, the bottom is thick, stinky mud with submerged obstructions so please don't attempt to wade or swim out to the event. You attend the event entirely at your own risk, all skippers are solely responsible for the seaworthiness of their craft and their ability on the water. Wearing a buoyancy aid is highly recommended.
The event is weather dependent - mainly if there are very high winds forecast… please keep a watch on this event page for announcements (it helps if you log a 'will attend' and that way you will automatically receive any updates). A go/no go will be posted here on the evening before. Please keep this in mind if you are travelling a long distance to attend or incurring any costs for staying locally.
Just a heads up that the whole of the 'bay' around GZ (the blue-dashed area below) pretty much dries at low water to leave large areas of marsh and mud flats. The nature reserve to the west of the bay, highlighted in red below, is best avoided (you'll see tufts of salt marsh above the surface, even at high water). The event is scheduled around high water, do bear that in mind if you are planning a longer paddle in the area. Don't leave it too late after the end of the event to get back to shore, otherwise you might be left high and dry!
Community Celebration Events - 2020
This event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events to celebrate 20 years of geocaching. Geocachers hosted events between May 2, 2020 and December 31, 2020 (now extended to December 31, 2022). Learn more about Community Celebration Events on the Geocaching Blog.