70 years of Shearwater Heritage and Innovation - Visit us at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

 

In 2026, the Shearwater Class celebrates its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades since the class's inception in 1956.

Over that time, the class has earned a reputation as one of the United Kingdom's longest standing and most respected racing catamaran classes. Its endurance is rooted not only in performance on the water but also in a unique balance between tradition and development, including the unusual but enduring use of the Symmetric Spinnaker, a feature many modern catamaran classes have moved away from.

The Shearwater Catamaran was first developed in the 1950s by Roland and Francis Prout, who experimented by lashing two kayaks together with bamboo poles, erecting a mast and sail. This early experiment created one of the very first sailing catamarans. Recognising its potential, they went on to design and build a dedicated racing version: Shearwater I.

A defining characteristic of the Shearwater is its restricted development rule. Rather than enforcing strict one-design uniformity, the class allows innovation within carefully controlled measurement limits. This philosophy has enabled Shearwaters to evolve alongside advances in materials and boatbuilding techniques while still ensuring competitive fairness. From early wooden hulls to modern composite construction, each era has added a new chapter to the class's story. A key part of this tradition is the ability for sailors to either home-build using class-owned tooling or commission a professional build, maintaining accessibility while embracing innovation.

This weekend, that story will be on display at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, where the Shearwater Class is exhibiting on Stand B12 as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations. The show, one of the world's premier dinghy sailing exhibitions, provides the perfect setting to highlight both the heritage and the future of the class.

Fittingly, the Shearwater stand will feature two remarkable boats that symbolise the class's journey across seven decades.

The first is one of the oldest wooden boats still active in the racing fleet, a testament to the craftsmanship of early builders and the durability of traditional construction. More impressively, this wooden Shearwater is not merely preserved for display it continued to win races in the 2025 season. Its ongoing competitiveness demonstrates how well the original design has stood the test of time and how skill, tuning, and class development rules allow older boats to remain relevant on today's racecourses.

Alongside it will stand a nearly finished full-carbon Shearwater, representing the cutting edge of modern boatbuilding. Built using advanced composite materials, this boat showcases the technical possibilities permitted within the class framework. Lightweight, stiff, and engineered for peak performance, it embodies the forward-looking spirit that has kept the Shearwater evolving for seventy years. Pete Jary of Zest Boatworks, class sponsor and sailor, still has some work to do before the first Travellers Trophy of 2026 in April.

The contrast between these two boats one crafted from timber in the early decades of the class and still victorious, the other constructed in carbon fibre at the forefront of technology perfectly captures what makes the Shearwater unique. Few sailing classes can display such a tangible link between past and future within the same fleet, let alone at the same exhibition stand.

As the Shearwater Class marks its 70th anniversary in 2026, it celebrates more than longevity. It celebrates adaptability, craftsmanship, innovation, and a passionate community of sailors who have kept the boats racing generation after generation.

At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, visitors will not simply see two boats, they will see seventy years of sailing history, alive and still accelerating into the future. With a packed 2026 calendar ahead. Including six Travellers Trophy events and a week-long Nationals at Stone Week held at Stone Sailing Club in August. The Shearwater Catamaran continues to thrive on and off the water. The class includes sailors from 2 years old to over 70, all engaged and participating, proving that the Shearwater spirit is alive and kicking on and off the water.

Join us at 1300 at Stand B12 for cake and to celebrate our history and future.

RS Sailing at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026

 

The whole team at RS Sailing can't wait to welcome you onto our stand at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 21st-22nd February 2026 at Farnborough International.

Boats On The Stand

We've got a whopping 19 boats on the stand, showcasing everything from our UK heritage racing classes all the way through youth sailing, club racing and training options, right up to the modern, one-design keelboat, the RS21. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the boats and chat to our team who can help advise on what's the most suitable RS dinghy for you.

Race: RS100, RS200, RS300, RS400, RS500, RS600, RS700, RS800, 2000, RS Aero (7 Rig), RS21

Youth Sailing: RS Tera, RS Feva, RS Aero (5 Rig)

Training, Adventure & Beach: RS Zest, RS Quest, RS Toura, RS CAT12

You can also find an RS Venture Connect on the RYA Sailability stand.

Special Offers on Boat Pricing

All our RS boats will be displayed with clear starting prices.

Training & Youth (rotomolded boats): offer price includes a top cover and trolley.

Race (GRP boats): starting prices excl. sails and ropes, so customers can take advantage of 'RS Bespoke'; new for 2026 our opportunity for you to build your own package, using exclusive dinghy show offers:

15% off race upgrades

10% off trollies & trailers

10% off accessories

Selecting exactly what you want on your RS boat has never been easier. Chat to a sales team member on the stand to find out more. For full pricing, see here.

RS Sailing Store

New sails? Harken, Allen, Selden hardware upgrades? Kingfisher rope? Exclusive RS Sailing merchandise? The RS Sailing Store team are on the stand with a wide selection of popular chandlery items from the store. And that's not all...

Sails Price Reductions - 00' Classes

Following feedback from our UK 00's class associations, the RS team have been working closely with suppliers over winter to bring in brand new, reduced pricing for 00 classes and 2000 class sails. This isn't just a Dinghy Show offer, this is genuine price reductions that are here to stay throughout 2026 and beyond. On average, sails have been reduced by 20%. Check out the new pricing here.

RS Sailing Store Show Offers

As for the show offers, RS customers can make the most of:

25% off covers

25% off rope off the reel

10% off hardware

10% off merchandise

Up to 15% off sails*

* Valid on all non-00 classes boats (as these sails have already been reduced by up to 20%). Valid for: RS Aero, RS Tera, RS Feva, RS Zest, RS Quest, RS Toura, RS Venture, RS CAT range, RS Aira 22, RS21.

Offers are valid from 9am 21st February until 5pm 27th February 2026.

Can't make it to the show? Don't worry, these offers are still available online at RS Sailing Store.

Additional Offers

Chat to the sales team at the show to find out more about offers on part exchanges, used boats and the subsidised RS Tera/RS Feva scheme through the Eric Twiname Trust.

Something Special... 30+ Years of the RS200

To celebrate 30 years of the RS200 we've restored an original RS200 - one of the first ones ever built! Our Operations Director, Richard Frost, spied it on a used boat listing, purchased it and has lovingly kitted it out with our head of GRP Production (and general RS workshop Guru) Marty Miller.

The boat will be displayed side-by-side with the first ever RS200 to be #MadeinCowes in our factory on the Isle of Wight in January 2026. Marty Miller will be on hand to chat through the developments, the hardware upgrades, and fleet build consistencies in RS in-house production.

RS Games 2026 - UK Launch Party

Following the official entry launch of the RS Games at boot Düsseldorf in January, celebrations continue at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.

Join us at 4pm on Saturday 21st February on the RS stand for coffee and cake as we share more details about what to expect at RS Games 2026.

Interactive Spaces for the RS Family

The RS Stand is about so much more than just seeing the boats (although we do LOVE that part!). RS Sailing is all about community, so this year, we wanted to create spaces for the RS Family to meet up, reminisce and plan future events together!

Fun Activities: Back by popular demand, the RS Hiking Challenge invites sailors of all ages to hold their longest hike. Stop watches at the ready, timings will be listed to beat on the RS board, with prizes for the ab-tastic holders! Knot-tying and splicing workshops, racing blow boats and other hands-on games will keep younger sailors engaged.

RS Heritage Wall: We've dusted off the archives and found some absolute gems from the last 30+ years of RS Sailing. Take a walk down memory lane with our heritage wall to see event photographs, RS newsletters, and brochures - some going back as far as the early 90s! You might even recognise a few faces from back in the day...

Meet The RS Class Associations

We're also joined on the stand by representatives from our UK Class Associations, who can help chat to you first-hand about:

Membership benefits

2026/27 event calendars

National championships and training opportunities

How to get involved

The strength of the RS community is central to everything we do - and the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show is the perfect place to connect. We look forward to welcoming you on 21st-22nd February 2026 at Farnborough International.

See you at the show!

Phantom Sailing - The Shape of 2026

 

The New Ovington Boats Phantom

The Ovington Boats new deck designed Phantom will be launching at this year's RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. The hull remains identical to every Phantom before it, preserving class parity - while everything above the gunwale has been re imagined and modernised for performance and sail ability.

A slicker deck with crisper ergonomics, the new design carries a clean, open transom that's all about freedom: clean-cut, easy access. Shallow or deep cockpit options are now available from build, with flexible control positioning and a multitude of other options, from knee friendly cockpit and side deck padding to integrated and streamlined compass mounting.

The cockpit is tidied for today's racing - smarter drainage, simpler systems - the boat feels instantly familiar yet even better to sail.

In short: same legendary Phantom hull, next generation execution.

The Racing Regional Calendar - Where the Action Is

Across the country, five regional circuits - North, Midlands, East, South East and South West will once again become the heartbeat of Phantom sailing. Local legends will be made, and as ever, each region will bring its own flavour to the fight. Here's a sneak peak on the action...

In the North, sailors will trek between the dramatic hillsides of Yorkshire Dales, the tactical racetrack of Hollingworth Lake, and the big water challenge of Bassenthwaite and Windermere. Expect plenty of hard charging downwind legs and a crop of new sailors looking to disrupt the established order.

The Midlands will see another bumper turnout, with Northampton, Grafham, Shustoke and Burton all lined up to deliver typically close, no nonsense racing. This region rarely disappoints - and with four events counting from seven, the leaderboard is bound to stay alive until the very last tack.

East Coast sailors return to Ardleigh, Stone, Burnham and the ever popular Creeksea, where the ebb and flow rewards precision and cool heads. There's always a punchy mix of experience and raw pace here!

In the South East, the fleets at Chichester, Bough Beech and Lee on the Solent will once again produce high tempo racing in tidal venues. This region often provides the sharpest early season form indicator - and 2026 should be no different.

And in the South West, the fleet heads to some of the most scenic, breezy and beautifully exposed courses in the country - from Chew Valley's rolling hills to Castle Cove and the long travel allure of Torpoint. When the gradient wind meets the coastline swell, the South West events can be nothing short of spectacular.

Find all events in the calendar here www.phantomclass.org.uk/this-years-events

The Optimum Time Inland Championships - All Eyes on the Famous Grafham Water

The jewel of the early season, the Inland Championships at Grafham Water, sits perfectly placed to shake up the national conversation before the run in to summer.

Massive, open water. Steady breeze. Long legs and proper championship courses. It's the moment where winter rust is blasted off and the sharpest sailors begin to separate themselves from the pack. With the Midlands Super Series woven into the same weekend, expect a monster turnout and a fiercely contested leaderboard.

The Craftinsure Super Series - Flat out all year

With the Super Series now running Inlands to Inlands, the pressure is on from the very first gun to the very last finish. No soft openers, no hiding places - just big fleet starts. Early season form at Yorkshire Dales sets the tone, Stone in the East, on to the Inlands at Grafham - then the tour barrels through the regions, Castle Cove, Northampton and Lee-On-The-Solent, and on to the National Championships - bank points wherever you can!

If you've been waiting for the perfect year to step up, this is it: the legendary Phantom fleet, fantastic venues, and a season long event!

Regional Training Days — Five Events, One Shared Path to Getting Faster

If the Super Series is where reputations are made, the five Regional Training Days are where sailors of every level quietly build the foundations that make those reputations possible. True to the Phantom fleet's famously friendly ethos, these sessions are less about hierarchy and more about developing together. From day one boat owners finding their feet to seasoned national champions, everyone gains, everyone contributes, and everyone leaves faster than they arrived.

On land, boats are set, rig tweaks explored and set ups compared in that open, collaborative style the class is known for. Out on the water, sailors are coached through drills and short course scenarios, learning not just how to go quicker but why the changes matter. And afterwards—often (always) back in the bar with a pint and a notebook - the honest reviews begin: "what worked, what didn't, and what we'll all try next time."

It's training without ego, progression without pressure - just a fleet moving forward together.

Five regions, five chances to level up, and a class that refuses to let anyone get left behind.

The Big One - The P&B Phantom National Championships, Tenby, Wales

And then comes the main event: the 2026 P&B Phantom National Championships, hosted 3-6 September by Tenby Sailing Club, possibly the most beautiful championship venue on the UK circuit.

Cradled by golden beaches and clear waters, Tenby offers the perfect storm of glamour and challenge. Swell rolling up the Bristol Channel, Champagne sparkle sea states on a sunny day, tactical cliffs and headlands, and the kind of hospitality that turns a championship into a holiday. It's no exaggeration to say the Nationals in Tenby could be massive - in numbers, quality, and atmosphere.

With twenty one events feeding into the build up, the form book will be wide open. Tight racing, big launches off the line, and full send downwind legs are virtually guaranteed. For many sailors, this will be the event of the year.

www.phantomclass.org.uk

Solo class at the Dinghy Show and 70 Years of History

 

The 2026 season is soon to kick-off, starting with the RYA Dinghy Show at Farnborough (Feb 21/22). The Association team will be on hand to help answer all things Solo as we celebrate the class 70th anniversary alongside the 50th anniversary of Winder Boats.

Tom Gillard's new boat will be on the stand, plus we have Adrian Griffins' classic boat 504, built in 1963, complete with wooden spars and cotton sail. A great opportunity to see how the class has progressed over the years.We look forward to seeing you there.

Catch it right and you may get to enjoy a glass of champagne and a slice of cake!

We hope you enjoy the latest SoloMagnificent, 70 years of history and great reading:

online.flippingbook.com/view/387578434

Beyond the Show, our first Super Series event of 2026, the Winter champs, will be at Northampton Sailing Club 7th March.

Entry is now open. After a great turnout at the EOS, let's see if we can push for 50 plus boats at the Winters. I'm sure, like me, many of you are very keen to get racing again after this winter. I hope all your training has gone well!

FYI, entry to the P&B Nations Cup in Quiberon and Noble Marine Nationals at lovely Royal Torbay YC, will be opening shortly.

Blithfield Barrel 2025/26 - Week 4

 

After three character-building winter rounds held across November, December and January, the final round of the Blithfield Barrel Winter Series arrived with a forecast that at last promised something more decisive. That optimism was enough to draw 35 boats to the line, contributing to an impressive 56 different boats that competed across the full Blithfield Barrel winter series.

The forecast suggested a southerly breeze veering west, with talk of gusts touching 23 knots. In reality, Blithfield delivered something far more familiar: a light and fickle wind that peaked at around 10 knots, with the much-anticipated breeze only filling in once all boats were back on their trailers.

Race One

The opening race got away cleanly, with a long start line and a pronounced sag through the middle. As it turned out, the pin end was probably the favoured place to start, although this was far from obvious at the time, with many of the faster boats bunched together at this pin end.

First around the windward mark were Charlie Chandler and Olly Hopkins in the Osprey, followed closely by the now-familiar Merlin Rocket gaggle, led once again by James Wells. The Osprey stretched away convincingly on the water and sailed an excellent race, but on corrected time the Merlins and Larks were ahead, particularly Stuart Hydon, sailing faultlessly in the Lark.

Despite leading on the water, the Osprey could not make sufficient ground to overcome the handicap spread, and Hydon once again emerged on top, continuing the consistency that had defined his winter campaign.

Race Two

Race two began in even lighter airs, with another clean start and a necessary course change as the wind continued to play its usual tricks. For a moment it was alarming to see boats starting at the committee-boat end laying the windward mark straight off the line, before the breeze resumed direction halfway up the beat and restored a proper upwind leg.

A Merlin Rocket rounded first, followed by the Osprey, then three more Merlins in close company, with the Finn not far behind.

With conditions marginal and fading, the race team shortened the course, aiming to condense the fleet and allow a fair, prorated finish.

The forecast gusts finally arrived but only once every boat was ashore and derigged, a frustration familiar to anyone who sails winter handicap racing in the UK.

Throughout the day, race officer Steve Leney ran excellent racing in challenging and changeable conditions. He was ably supported by his team on the committee boat, the rescue craft, and onshore, whose combined efforts ensured safe, fair racing and well-judged course management.

The format of two back-to-back races proved popular and might be retained next season.

Round Four Results: (Races 7 & 8)

1. Stuart & Nick Hydon - Lark 2495

2. James Wells & Anna Aylward - Merlin Rocket 3746

3. Samuel Bailey & Holly Evans - Lark 2536

Overall Winter Series Results

Perhaps coincidentally — or perhaps not — the overall series standings mirrored the final round results, underlining the importance of consistency across a winter that demanded adaptability in every race.

1. Stuart & Nick Hydon - Lark 2495

2. James Wells & Anna Aylward - Merlin Rocket 3746

3. Samuel Bailey & Holly Evans - Lark 2536

Prizes for both the February Barrel race and the overall Blithfield Barrel Winter Series winners were presented at the end of the day by club Commodore Peter Slater, bringing the series to a fitting close.

Exmoor Beastie to be held on 22nd March

 

Wimbleball Sailing Club are pleased to confirm the Exmoor Beastie is scheduled for 12.00 noon on Sunday 22nd March 2026.

The Lake is full (no surprise there), the setting is superb, and coupled with a hospitable welcome, backed up with galley and licensed offerings in play, there is no reason to stay at home.

The race is a 3-hour handicap pursuit for boats with a handicap under 1208 using the Great Lakes yardsticks.

Online registration and more information is available at www.wimbleballsc.com

Celebrate 80 Years of the Merlin Rocket at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2026

 

2026 marks a rather majestic milestone... the Merlin Rocket turns 80 and the class will launch its celebrations in style at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2026 on stand J34.

80 years, that's eight decades of hiking hard, shouting 'gust!', arguing (politely, of course) about tactics, and enjoying some of the finest two-person dinghy sailing the UK has to offer. Let's see what's on show.

On display

There will be three Merlin Rockets on display the latest Winder Boats design, a new Rockatross build by JJ Boats plus Gently, boat number 16, the very boat that won our National Championships in 1946 with Jack Holt at the helm and Beecher Moore as crew. Gently won a total of four championships, three with Holt and Moore in 1946, 1947 and 1949, before Moore took to the helm with Ian Proctor as crew and went on to win in 1950. Moore was the first of only four people to win a Merlin Rocket Nationals as helm and crew.

Celebrate with us

Stuart Jenkins, Chairman of the Merlin Rocket, invites Merlin Rocket sailors, past, present and future, to join us on the stand at 1200 each day at the show. He will say a few wise and undoubtedly witty words, and then we'll do what sailors do best... gather for cake and share stories from over the years.

Please join us at midday on stand J34, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of February 2026.

Audience participation

We're also creating a Merlin Rocket Memory Board, a glorious gallery of questionable haircuts, vintage buoyancy aids, heroic hiking (or enthusiastic flapping), and boats you're still convinced were faster 'back in the day'.

This is where you come in.

We want your earliest Merlin Rocket photos. The older and more gloriously retro, the better. Dig deep into those albums.

Email your photos to publicity@merlinrocket.co.uk by Tuesday 17 February and please include (in known):

The year

The boat name/number

Who's sailing

Alternatively, bring them along to the show (A6 or smaller please) and pin them proudly on our board. We'll have pens and paper ready too, so you can add a few words, tall tales, tactical genius, or fond memories of swimming.

Let's give Merlin Rocket's 80th the celebration it deserves.

Emirates GBR runners-up in Auckland on wild day on Waitemata Harbour

 

The Emirates GBR SailGP Team secured their second consecutive podium finish of the 2026 SailGP Season in full-on conditions at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland.

History was made in the City of Sails as SailGP debuted a split-fleet format on day two of the Grand Prix. The decision to run a split fleet followed Saturday's explosive opening day, which saw a major collision between the home team, the Black Foils, and the DS Team France SailGP Team, which put both teams out of the final day of racing.

Saturday's conditions were big but stable. Sunday's were fresh to frightening, with changeable gusts and rain squalls pushing wind speeds close to 60 km/h.

Emirates GBR started the day in fine form in their Group A fleet race, taking the win ahead of the NorthStar Canadian Team, Germany, and Italy. All teams raced on the edge, narrowly escaping incident in the testing conditions. NorthStar hit a near record breaking speed of 102 km/h at one point, just shy of SailGP's all-time race speed record of 103.93 km.

Meanwhile, in Group B, the BONDS Flying Roos dominated and qualify for the Grand Final, followed by Spain, who out-hustled Artemis SailGP Team.

In the Grand Final, the British team finished ahead of Spain but behind the BONDS Flying Roos in the winner-takes-all showdown. The three SailGP heavyweights are the only teams in the 13-strong fleet to have won a SailGP Championship, and the gloves were off as they exchanged blows in huge gusts on Auckland's iconic Waitemata Harbour.

Emirates GBR SailGP Team Strategist Hannah Mills added:

"It was a busy day in the office, a tight racecourse, massive pressure changes, and boats coming from all sorts of angles with the wind shifts. It was all on. That meant every team member had to be completely on their game, making the right calls just to get around the course in one piece, and I felt we did that really well.

"It's only event two of the season, and after seeing what happened yesterday, making sure the people and the boat were safe was the priority. It was a risk-versus-reward call, and backing off when we did was the right decision. We'll take that second place, roll on Sydney."

British fans can next see Emirates GBR in action in Sydney, Australia, as SailGP remains in the Southern Hemisphere for one more event — the KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix — on February 28-March 1.

RS Elite Fleet Charts Independent Course

 

The RS Elite Class is set for a significant transition in 2026.

The RS Elite Class Association and RS Sailing have agreed a planned handover of manufacturing rights. The move will allow the class to operate independently.

Launched in 2004, the RS Elite is a three-person 7.4-metre keelboat designed by Phil Morrison. It was created as a modern interpretation of the classic one-design racing yacht.

Since its debut, the class has developed competitive fleets across the UK and Ireland. Racing takes place in Anglesey, Belfast Lough, Burnham-on-Crouch and Hayling Island, with international fleets in Norway and Antigua.

In Ireland, Dunmore East continues to expand. Seven boats were active at the end of last season, with further growth expected this year.

Northern Ireland's Gerry Reid, Chair of the RS Elite Association, said the change marks “an exciting step for the Elite Class”.

“We are incredibly proud of the boat and the community that has grown around it,” he said. “Moving forward independently allows the class to build on its strengths, focus on growth and continue delivering great racing for our sailors.”

Recently appointed RS Sailing CEO Alex Newton-Southon described the transition as “a positive step for both RS Sailing and the Elite Class Association”.

He said the move gives the class “the independence to shape its own future while building on the solid foundations already in place”.

RS Sailing will continue to focus on its wider portfolio of performance dinghies.

There was no response from RS Sailing to Afloat.ie requests this week for further comment beyond the statement issued by the Association.

The Association said it will now concentrate on supporting emerging fleets, including Dunmore East, while strengthening established centres.

Round Ireland 2026 Fleet Grows To 15 Entries, Early Bird Entry Closes End of February

 

The entry list for the Round Ireland Yacht Race 2026 has grown to 15 boats following three more registrations over the weekend of 14 February.

All three new additions are visiting entries, reinforcing the strong early overseas presence already noted in the fleet.

They are MZUNGU! (JPK 10.80) entered by Sam White (RORC/RNSA), Qualia (Jeanneau SO 44DS) entered by Rolf van Beek, and VENOMOUS (Carroll Marine 60) entered by Graeme Lewis (RORC).

The latest update means that 12 of the 15 boats currently entered are non-Irish or carry clear UK and international affiliations.

A significant number are linked to the Royal Ocean Racing Club, underlining the race’s continued appeal within the UK offshore circuit.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, early entries already showed nine of the first 12 boats were visiting campaigns.

The race, organised by Wicklow Sailing Club in association with RORC and the Royal Irish Yacht Club, starts from Wicklow Harbour on Saturday, 20 June 2026.

Monohulls are scheduled to start at 13:00, followed by multihulls at 13:10.

The 704-nautical-mile course runs clockwise around Ireland, leaving all islands — except Rockall — to starboard.

The race carries 20 bonus points in the RORC Season’s Championship and is scored under IRC, Class 40 and MOCRA rules.

Entries opened on 14 January and further additions are expected as teams firm up summer offshore programmes.

Entries submitted and paid in full before the end of February 2026, in accordance with Notice of Race 11.3, qualify for an early entry discount of up to €400.

The closing date for entries is 31 May 2026.

Corsica The Mediterranean Must Go To Island

 

Sailing itinerary  for Corsica that blends daily sailing legs with great on-shore activities — from stunning natural anchorages and historic towns to swimming, hiking, and local culture. It’s ideal for a bareboat charter if you’re confident sailing, or you can adapt it for a skipper-led trip.

🗓️ 7-Day Corsica Sailing Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive in Ajaccio & Sail to Cala d’Orzu

Sailing: Ajaccio → Cala d’Orzu (≈3 h)

Onshore Activities:

Explore Ajaccio before departure — stroll the old town and harbour, visit Maison Bonaparte, or the waterfront markets.

Anchor in Cala d’Orzu for your first swim in clear Mediterranean waters.

Overnight: Anchorage at Cala d’Orzu.

Day 2 — Cala d’Orzu to Bonifacio

Sailing: Cala d’Orzu → Bonifacio (≈4 h)

Onshore Activities:

Walk Bonifacio’s medieval streets and citadel perched on dramatic limestone cliffs.

Visit the King of Aragon’s Staircase or take an organised cliff boat tour to see caves and grottos.

Overnight: Bonifacio marina.

Day 3 — Bonifacio & Lavezzi Islands

Sailing: Bonifacio → Lavezzi Islands (≈1–2 h)

Onshore Activities:

Snorkel, swim or paddle board among Lavezzi’s protected marine waters.

Hike short paths around the island for panoramic views and secluded beaches.

Overnight: Anchorage in a sheltered cove.

Day 4 — Sail to Porto-Vecchio

Sailing: Lavezzi → Porto-Vecchio

Onshore Activities:

Wander Porto-Vecchio’s old town and ancient citadel ramparts.

Optional: Relax or explore nearby Palombaggia Beach, famous for white sands and crystal water.

Overnight: Porto-Vecchio marina.

Day 5 — Porto-Vecchio → Rondinara Bay

Sailing: Porto-Vecchio → Rondinara Bay

Onshore Activities:

Enjoy Rondinara, one of Corsica’s most beautiful natural bays — kayak, snorkel or sunbathe.

Hike nearby coastal paths or chill on board.

Overnight: Anchorage in Rondinara.

Day 6 — Rondinara → Propriano

Sailing: Rondinara → Propriano (≈3–4 h)

Onshore Activities:

Explore the charming port town of Propriano.

Visit the Church of Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde and nearby beaches (e.g., Plage de Baraci) with opportunities for paddleboarding and kayaking.

Overnight: Propriano marina.

Day 7 — Propriano → Ajaccio

Sailing: Propriano → Ajaccio (≈3–4 h)

Onshore Activities:

Return to Ajaccio for your final evening.

Sample Corsican cuisine in a local restaurant and stroll the bustling port promenade.

Overnight: Ajaccio marina.

🧭 Tips & Ideas

Timing: Best sailing months are May–September — warm waters and calmer winds.

Weather: Watch for the Mistral wind, especially in the Bonifacio Strait — it can affect crossings.

Extras: Consider a snorkelling day, a short wine-tasting visit onshore, or a coastal hike if conditions are calm.

Cultural Highlights: Corsica’s Genoese towers dot many coastal points — mini hikes to these historical sites make great onshore excursions.

Would you like help planning your next trip?

Please let us know about your sailing experiences and where you're planning to go by using our Contact Form on this Blog, with your requirements to receive immediate help and assistance and using our Vast Knowledge and Experience to Help and Guide You.

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SailGP Returns To Auckland For High-Stakes Showdown

 

SailGP returns to Auckland this weekend with a full fleet expected on the start line. The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix takes place on February 14th to 15th on Waitematā Harbour. It is the second event of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship.

Organisers say this will be SailGP’s largest purpose-built Race Stadium to date. All 13 international teams are pending final testing to compete, following a major global repair effort after dramatic incidents in Perth.

New Zealand’s Black Foils suffered a heavy collision with Switzerland in the season opener. A two-metre section of the port hull was rebuilt in the UK and shipped to Auckland for final assembly. Specialist crews have integrated the new structure and realigned control systems to meet class safety standards.

Spain’s Los Gallos also return after a pre-season training crash ruled them out of Perth.

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said the fleet’s recovery was a significant effort. “The collisions we saw in Perth really tested our resilience,” he said. “To have the full fleet back on the start line in Auckland is a testament to the skill and commitment of everyone involved.”

More than 25,000 fans attended last year’s inaugural Auckland event. The tight harbour course and shifting sea breeze are expected to produce close racing.

Home driver Peter Burling said racing in Auckland carries extra weight. “Coming home gives us a real opportunity to reset and to show what this team is capable of,” he said. “Racing in front of a home crowd here in Auckland is always our favourite event.”

Defending champions Emirates GBR arrive as early-season leaders after victory in Perth. Led by Dylan Fletcher, the British crew held off Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos and France in the opening final.

Newcomers Sweden and a resurgent United States signalled intent with strong early performances.

Spain driver Diego Botin said his team is ready to rejoin the fight. “Missing Perth was tough, but now the focus is fully on Auckland,” he said. “The level across the fleet is so high this year, so every race matters.”

Racing follows SailGP’s short-format structure. Identical F50 foiling catamarans compete in multiple fleet races, with the top three progressing to a winner-takes-all final.

Broadcast coverage will air across major international networks, including TNT Sports in the UK and Sky Sport NZ in New Zealand.

Isle of Wight school pupils to receive free sailing lessons

 

By 2027, all Year 5 pupils (aged nine to ten) will take part in free sailing sessions as part of a programme led by the Seaview Sailing Trust.

Currently delivered at the Sea View Yacht Club, the programme will expand Islandwide through a new partnership with UKSA, which will support delivery at its Cowes base.

Andrea Minton Beddoes, chair of the Seaview Sailing Trust, said: "We are delighted that UKSA will become our second partner on the Island, working alongside the Sea View Yacht Club – and that our programme can be Island wide from next year.

"Fundamentally, we believe everyone growing up on the Isle of Wight should have the opportunity to learn to sail. It helps children develop so many life skills and, later on, can unlock nautical and maritime career opportunities in one of our Island’s biggest industries."

This year, the programme will reach 31 of the Isle of Wight's 37 primary schools, with UKSA enabling full coverage by 2027.

Of the schools taking part this season, 26 will complete lessons at the Sea View Yacht Club and five at UKSA.

By 2027, every pupil will receive a minimum of five three-hour sailing sessions during the school year, delivered by qualified instructors.

Some schools will offer up to ten sessions. In 2025, a total of 723 pupils received 4,446 free lessons, a 41 per cent increase on the previous year.

This figure will rise to 949 pupils in the coming season.

Each child receives sustained, weekly tuition over a term, working towards official RYA Dinghy Stage 1 or Stage certification.

Catherine Dixon, chief executive of UKSA, said: "At UKSA, we believe every young person should have access to the water, no matter where they live or their background, and we are incredibly proud to partner with the Seaview Sailing Trust to help make that vision a reality for children across the whole Island."

The Seaview Sailing Trust was established in 2022, and has since funded more than 10,000 three-hour sailing sessions for 1,792 children.