Shoreham Sailing Club to host the 2026 Hornet UK National Championship

 

Entries are now rolling in for the Hornet Championship to be held from 29th August to 1st September. This popular south coast club is probably better known for its Merlin infestation, but Shoreham has a long history in Hornet racing, the boat almost being designed for open sea racing and lovely waves.

Several boats have come out of the woodwork for the championship, and many have undergone renovation and conversion to the new layout. FRP, epoxy and wooden boats compete on an even keel and many past champions are expected to attend, such as Michael Macnamara, Dick Garry, Terry Curtis, Chris Bines and even Strangler with his aptly named epoxy machine "Dog's Pollocks" (you have to see the colour scheme to understand!). Current champion Nathan Batchelor is also slated to defend his title.

A full programme of events is planned, including a black tie dinner at Sussex YC - I may have fibbed a bit about the black, and almost certainly about the tie, but a bigly event is planned. After all, Sussex YC was the venue where Terry Wade's Hornet was put on top of a wooden pile in the harbour and was subsequently found six metres above the mud at low tide.

Sheltered launching is from the new slipway in the harbour at any state of the tide, and on turning right, you'll find some of the best sea sailing in the country. The tides are nice and simple. The water goes one way, and, er, then goes the other way, and spring tides have been organised for the weekend. This also means that the tide is in for the families to enjoy the lovely beach at the club and enjoy a bit of paddleboarding and general splashing about. You can even partake of a sauna which is now in the club grounds.

Free camping on site is available - subject to availability, so get your entry in sooner rather than later, and we'll be sharing the venue with the National 12s with their very short and bonkers boats, ensuring a great vibe. Of course, being close to Brighton, a veritable plethora of accommodation, available through the normal online sites along with entertainment options for the yoofs.

Entry is open at members.shorehamsailing.org/event/1349765 so don't delay. Take advantage of the early entry reduction and bagsie your camping now!

The championships will be generously sponsored by Exe Sails & Covers.

Visit Hayling Island Sailing Club for their Bank Holiday Open Day on Monday 4 May

 

This free-to-attend event is open to all ages and abilities and will offer visitors the chance to try sailing and discover water sports, in a welcoming, safe and family-friendly environment.

Visitors will have the opportunity to chat to club members, explore the clubhouse facilities and get out on the water with our taster sailing or RIB sessions to get a real flavour of life at the club.

Visiting sailors are also welcome to join in our Open Charity Pursuit Race in aid of WAVE, a charity that supports young people on Hayling Island.

Juniors can look forward to seeing all of the fun activities HISC has on offer, and open day visitors are also invited to round off the day with complimentary tea and cake, while enjoying the stunning sea views from the clubhouse balcony. The club bar will also be open for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for visitors to enjoy.

Chris Rainbow, General Manager of Hayling Island Sailing Club said: "Our Open Day is a great opportunity for people to see what getting on the water at HISC is really like. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and friendly club, and we're looking forward to welcoming new faces and sharing our passion for watersports."

New for this year's open event, for those with an interest in windsurfing or winging, there will be live demonstrations, along with the chance to launch your own kit from the club and connect with other enthusiasts.

Hayling Island Sailing Club has a long-standing reputation for providing accessible sailing opportunities in one of the UK's premier sailing locations. The free Open Day aims to encourage the local community to experience life on the water and see what they are missing.

For more information about the Open Day, please visit www.hisc.co.uk or find out more on our social media accounts.

Black Foils to miss two more regattas - return targeted for June

 

New Zealand's Black Foils won't be on the startline at either of May's Rolex SailGP Championship events.

After the May events in Bermuda and New York the league's next stop is a return to Halifax (21 - 22 June) before moving across the Atlantic to Portsmouth (26-27 July) for the start of the European leg of the season.

A final return date for the Black Foils is still being worked on by the team in conjunction with SailGP but the Halifax event remains a clear target for everyone involved.

Black Foils Co-CEO and Driver Peter Burling said the team continued to take a long term view on the time off the water.

"We would like to be back racing as soon as possible but also understand there is an existing boat building programme and logistics timeline the league needs to work with. Based on where things are currently at we are hopeful we can make that happen for Halifax. Huge strides have been made by the league in building resilience in the fleet with SailGP Technologies and we know they are working hard on getting us back out there. It's been great having a member of our Shore Crew also working alongside the team in Southampton on the return."

Black Foils Strategist Liv Mackay raced on loan with DS Automobiles Team France in Rio and will once again be part of the French crew in Bermuda.

Streaker North Sails Northern Paddle Series at Hornsea Sailing Club

 

Saturday 25th April saw the return of the Streaker fleet to Hornsea Mere for the opening event of the 2026 North Sails Northern Paddle Series. With the forecast showing around 7mph building to 15mph and sun throughout the day, it was expected to be a great day for the gathered fleet. However, it proved to be somewhat more challenging!

On arrival, it was obvious that there had been some sort of time shift with the breeze already around the 15mph mark and dark water showing the gusts spreading out across the mere! Restricted by the NE wind direction, the race team set a tight course of "old school" triangles and sausages. With the windward mark falling under the influence of the island, the approach to it was always going to be subject to changes in both wind direction and speed.

The first race set the trend for the day with Giles Therkelson-Smith (Beaver SC) and Pete Gray (Staunton Harold SC) out front, followed by the rest of the Beaver SC contingent and Ian Priest (Ripon SC) also in the mix. The gusty conditions made for some big distance gains and losses as the fleet reached away from the shelter of the island, ready to catch out the unwary at the turning marks.

After a break for lunch, sitting out in the warm spring sun while sheltering from the chilly breeze coming straight off the North Sea, the fleet ventured out for back-to-back races two and three.

Giles and Pete again showed the fleet the way around the course with both Steve Hanby (Beaver SC) and Dave Borrett (Beaver SC) pushing them, ready to capitalise on any error. Further back in the fleet the racing was close with places changing nearly as frequently as the gusts fanning out across the mere.

A wind shift at the start of race three allowed Dave and Pete to break away from the fleet. On the second beat, Giles showed impressive upwind speed to close down the leaders, only to fall foul of an unforgiving wind shift at the windward mark that allowed him to wash his sail before deciding to retire! Pete took the win followed by Dave, Steve and the closing fleet.

Thank you to all the volunteers at Hornsea SC. Everyone agreed that it was a great day, with close racing throughout the fleet in conditions that were testing. The results prove testament to this with ties and close scores down the table. Giles Therkelsen-Smith took the overall win ahead of Pete Gray in second. Dave Borrett pipped Steve Hanby to take third on a tie break.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 Pts

1st 1982 Giles Therkelson‑Smith Beaver SC 1 1 (RET) 2

2nd 2202 Pete Gray Staunton Harold SC ‑2 2 1 3

3rd 1864 Dave Borrett Beaver SC ‑4 4 2 6

4th 2162 Steve Hanby Beaver SC ‑3 3 3 6

5th 2240 Nigel Robinson Beaver SC ‑9 6 4 10

6th 2106 Ian Priest Ripon SC ‑6 5 5 10

7th 2115 Jon Aldhous Beaver SC 5 ‑9 6 11

8th 2194 Stuard Burnett Beaver SC ‑8 7 7 14

9th 2220 Peter Cogill Beaver SC/ Rotherham SC 7 ‑8 8 15

10th 1310 Steve West Hornsea SC 11 (DNF) 9 20

11th 1644 Mike Knight Hornsea SC 10 (DNF) DNF 23

12th 1995 Brian Kelly Beaver SC (DNS) DNC DNC 26

Next up for Streaker travellers this May:

Hunts Open 9 May - Midland Series / East Anglian Series - NEW

Margate Open 9-10 May - South East Series - NEW

Ripon Open 9 May - North Sails Northern Paddle Series

Oulton Broad Open 16 May - HD Sails Southern Paddle Series

St Mary's Loch Open 16 May - HD Sails Scottish Series

Jersey Electricity Gorey Regatta

 The Jersey Electricity Gorey Regatta – the oldest sailing event in the Channel Islands – will take place over the weekend of 20-21 June this year.

The Gorey Regatta Association are delighted that JE have decided to continue their title sponsorship of the event – established 169 years ago.

“Jersey Electricity’s continued support is greatly appreciated and allows us to once again offer a full programme of sailing and social events,” said GRA Captain Justin Horton.

The 2026 regatta will feature two days of races for dinghies, cruising and racing yachts, sports catamarans and dayboats, culminating in a prizegiving dinner at the Pembroke Hotel. A popular event on the island’s sailing calendar, it attracts entries from St Catherine’s Sailing Club, St Helier Yacht Club and the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club as well as the host port.

“Gorey Regatta is a vital component of Jersey’s rich maritime heritage,” said Adam Caerlewy-Smith, JE’s Head of Marketing and Communications, “and our support for the event reflects our commitment to celebrating our Island’s unique cultural legacy and fostering a strong sense of community. We are delighted to confirm our support not only for this year’s regatta but also for the 170th anniversary event taking place next year.”

The racing programme and entry details can be found by logging on to www.goreyregatta.org. The closing date for entries is Tuesday 16 June.

Cove Sailing Club's first outing of the season is a success

 

The first sail of the season for the club, based on the shore of Loch Long, had a gentle breeze to play with on Saturday, April 25, as eight vessels made it to the start line.

With the wind flicking between the south and east, there were some tricky shifts to contend with and there were plenty of banana skins to tread on in the shape of holes in the wind.

At the start, Electra and Dolphin seemed to get away nicely with Sula tucked in just behind. By the windward mark, Electra had the lead just ahead of Sula and Dolphin, whilst Ornsay was going well in fourth.

Spinnakers were deployed and the run down to Cove was quite brisk to begin with. On the final approach, the wind suddenly died, then quickly filled from the east. This was an opportunity for some, and Dolphin managed to get back past Sula at the mark with Ornsay now hot on their heels.

Sonara was not far away, just ahead of Allegro and Viva, whilst the Legend was going well under her big red spinnaker.

Spinnakers were raised again for leg two and it was the same drill down to Cove.

There was a repeat of round one, with a sticky patch on the approach to the mark. This time, Electra got stuck in the parking lot and Sula was the one to benefit, moving briskly from third at the previous mark to take the lead.

At the finish, Sula took the win from Electra whilst Ornsay did a great job to bag third.

Sonara had a late comeback to squeeze out Dolphin at the finish for fourth. Allegro just finished ahead of the Legend and Viva rounded out the finishers.

The club said on social media: "It was a beautiful afternoon and there were plenty of refreshments available onshore along with some great live music.

"A great start to the season."

Final Preparations underway for 2026 Royal Escape Race

 With just under one month to go, final preparations are under way for the 2026 Royal Escape Race, with entries building and the organisers confirming key updates to this year's event.

Taking place from Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 May, the 46th edition of the race will once again see a competitive fleet take on the cross-Channel passage to Fécamp, France. Widely regarded as one of the South Coast's most established offshore races, the Royal Escape continues to attract a strong mix of experienced crews and first-time Channel racers.

For 2026, Sussex Yacht Club will act as the operational centre of the race, hosting the official race briefing, competitor registration and pre-race activity, while reinforcing Shoreham's role as both the historical and organisational heart of the event.

Competitors will gather at the Club on Thursday (21 May) evening for the official briefing, race pack collection and tracker distribution, ahead of race day on Friday.

The race itself will start off Brighton, just to the west of Brighton Palace Pier, with the first warning signal scheduled for 08:00 BST on Friday 22 May. The 2026 schedule sets the scene for a full programme on water and ashore:

Thursday 21 May: Race communications go live, followed by the official race briefing at Sussex Yacht Club

Friday 22 May: Morning hospitality at SYC, followed by the race start and Channel crossing to Fécamp

Saturday 23 May: Finishes, inspections, results and prize-giving at Société des Régates de Fécamp

Competitors will be able to track the fleet in real time via YellowBrick, with live tracking available throughout the race.

The 2026 Royal Escape Race is proudly supported by headline sponsor Bishop Skinner Marine, alongside official clothing partner Musto and a growing portfolio of event partners and sponsors. Their support helps ensure the continued delivery and development of a race that blends offshore competition with a strong sense of heritage and community.

Founded in 1977, the Royal Escape Race commemorates the escape of Charles II of England, who fled from Shoreham to Fécamp in 1651 after the Battle of Worcester. Today's competitors retrace that historic route, transforming it into a modern offshore challenge.

With the countdown now on, Sussex Yacht Club is encouraging final entries from crews looking to take part in this well-established early-season Channel race. Robin Stevenson, Commodore of Sussex Yacht Club, said: "With just a month to go, preparations are well under way and we're looking forward to welcoming competitors to Shoreham. The Royal Escape Race remains a unique fixture in the offshore calendar, combining a challenging cross-Channel passage with a strong sense of history and community."

Entries for the 2026 race remain open, with further details, Notice of Race and tracking information available at: www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk/royal-escape-race

Try Sailing at Horning Sailing Club as part of the Horning Boat Show 2026

 

Horning Sailing Club, based in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, will be holding a Try Sailing Day as part of the Horning Boat Show on Saturday, 2nd May from 10am-4pm. It is a brilliant opportunity to try sailing on the beautiful Norfolk Broads and to enjoy the thrill of being on the water.

The Club is situated on the bend of the River Bure opposite the Swan Inn and the Club will be providing taster sessions in a variety of boats, suitable for all the family from 10am-4pm. No sailing experience is required, and tasters will be available for all (under-14s must be accompanied) for a minimum donation of £5 per person.

Buoyancy aids are provided, so please wear suitable clothing (layers, along with non-slip footwear - not flip-flops, high heels or wellington boots - and come and get on the water with one of our experienced volunteer sailors.

BBQ and refreshments will be available for sale and you are also very welcome to come to the Island and see the Club's facilities.

HSC is a family friendly club which runs a variety of events during the year, from racing on Sundays (from March through to October) to the nationally famous Three Rivers Race. It is also an RYA Recognised Training Centre, running sail training for children and adults on Thursday evenings from May to September and powerboat training.

Feedback from the last event in 2024 included: "What a fantastic opportunity - the children were very nervous but they were soon put at ease. It was a fabulous experience and they were so excited. Brilliant crew. Thank you", whilst another family added, "Such a friendly club! We lived our Swallows and Amazons dreams. We'll be back!"

Come and see for yourself this Saturday, 2nd May.

For more information about Horning Sailing Club visit www.horning-sailing.club and the Discover Sailing Day at www.horningboatshow.com

2026 Cowes Offshore Series: Seven RORC Offshore Classics from the Solent

 

The RORC Cowes Offshore Series brings together a season of accessible, high quality RORC racing from the Solent, giving crews the chance to build experience, test themselves offshore and take on some of the most rewarding races in the RORC calendar.

The seven race series of races all start from Cowes with the best five to count. All competitors have access to the superb facilities at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse including accommodation, the Fastnet Bar and RORC Clubhouse Restaurant. There is a crew supper planned before every race, all competitors plus friends and family are welcome.

The Myth of Malham, Cowes Dinard St Malo Race and Channel Race carry deep historic weight within the RORC programme. The Myth of Malham mirrors the opening stages of the Rolex Fastnet Race, sending the fleet west from Cowes towards the Eddystone Lighthouse before returning to the Solent. The Cowes Dinard St Malo Race is one of the great cross Channel classics, with the overall winner under IRC receiving the King Edward VII Challenge Cup, originally donated by His Majesty in 1906. The Channel Race, first run in 1928, was established as a shorter alternative to the Fastnet and became the shorter offshore race to The Admiral’s Cup. Together, they connect today’s crews with more than a century of offshore racing heritage.

From Corinthian teams to seasoned campaigners, this is a series designed for sailors who want proper offshore racing, competitive fleets and the unique atmosphere of the RORC Cowes Clubhouse.

For more information about the Royal Ocean Racing Club: www.rorc.org

Entries Open for the P&B Merlin Rocket Womens Championship 2026

 

Northampton Sailing Club set to host the P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championships on the 16th and 17th May 2026, and the entries are now open.

The event is a relatively new and fast-growing addition to the UK dinghy sailing calendar, launched in 2023 to encourage greater female participation within the Merlin Rocket fleet. The format of the weekend is designed to be both inclusive and developmental and combines a dedicated coaching day with a full programme of racing, creating a supportive environment for sailors. "Come and get involved. The weekend offers those already experienced in racing the perfect chance to come and try the Merlin Rocket and meet new friends," says Storm Nuttall organiser from the class.

On the Saturday sailors will be coached by experienced sailors from within the fleet, familiarising themselves on the controls and boat handling as many are often in the front or may be new to the fleet. Saturday night camping is available at the club, and there will be a debrief and food organised. Sunday is when the racing happens, where one crew will be crowned P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Champion 2026!

"P&B is delighted to be the title sponsor of the Merlin Rocket Women's Championships 2026. We are keen to support the class and we have been drawn to this event over the last three years, they are doing great things to support women in sailing," comments Kirsten Neal, marketing for P&B. "With our local club, Northampton Sailing Club, hosting the 2026 event we hope to see many of our sailors get on the water too. Good luck to everyone competing."

Come and be part of it. There is team ready and waiting to link crews to helms, helms to crews and to source boats. The class has two boats ready to go. Don't delay claim them today!

Whitefriars Sailing Club Open Day on 9th May

 

Whitefriars Sailing Club will be opening its doors to the public on Saturday 9 May with a Discover Sailing Open Day, offering visitors the chance to try sailing and find out more about the club’s activities on and off the water. Whitefriars is a dinghy sailing club on the beautiful Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester and Swindon.

The Open Day is aimed at adults, families and young people, and no previous sailing experience is required. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to go afloat on the club’s lake with experienced volunteer helms in safe, stable club boats. Buoyancy aids will be provided, with participants advised to wear clothing suitable for being on the water.

Alongside the on-water activity, visitors will have the opportunity to meet club members, explore the clubhouse and lakeside facilities, and learn more about the range of sailing and paddling activities available at Whitefriars.

Whitefriars Sailing Club offers sailing opportunities for a wide range of ages and abilities. Adult members can take part in learn-to-sail courses, social and recreational sailing, and club racing, while junior sailors aged 8 to 18 are supported through training, fun sailing sessions and opportunities to try racing. The club runs RYA training courses from beginner through to advanced levels.

Racing forms an important part of the club calendar, with regular racing on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings during the summer. A wide variety of boats are sailed at Whitefriars. We have strong National 12, RS Aero, Hansa and Laser fleets. The club also supports recreational sailing and paddling, with opportunities to use paddleboards, windsurfers and canoes on the lake.

Whitefriars places a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusion. There is a Sailability group based at Whitefriars that provides additional support for sailors who need help getting on the water. The club as good accessibility. The club runs a thriving Women on Water group that offers coaching and social sailing. Radio-controlled sailing is also active at the club.

The Juniors group offers fun sessions, RYA Training and supports racing both within the club and at away events. We were proud to achieve RYA Pathway status earlier this year. This is the RYA’s initiative to make junior and youth racing more affordable, accessible and engaging and to improve the performances of aspiring young British talent.

Facilities at Whitefriars Sailing Club include a clubhouse with training rooms, boat berths, club hire boats and an adjacent camping field. Entry to the Open Day is free, with no booking required and free parking available on site.

Further information about the Open Day can be found at www.whitefriarssc.org/open-day

Oxford Sailing Club: Sixty Years Chasing the Wind

 

On 24 April 1966, under a black sky and in torrential rain, Oxford Sailing Club ran its first ever race at Farmoor Reservoir. Sixty years on, the Club remains true to that original spirit — undeterred by the weather, driven by its members, and united by a shared love of being on the water.

Oxford Sailing Club was conceived and formed even before the first reservoir had filled, led by the vision of its first Commodore, Tony Hudson. From the outset, it was established as a family orientated racing club, making full use of one of the largest inland stretches of water in the region and attracting sailors from far beyond Oxfordshire.

In its early years, the Club quickly gained a reputation for high quality, serious racing. Classes such as OKs, Merlin Rockets and Enterprises thrived, while handicap racing took a back seat to fleet excellence — a conscious decision that helped shape the Club's competitive identity. As Hudson noted in 1967, racing was to be "conducted seriously and strictly according to the racing rules," a standard that endures to this day.

A major milestone came in 1976 with the move to the newly completed Farmoor II reservoir — a vast expanse of water covering more than one square kilometre. The current clubhouse followed soon after, completed in 1977, with later extensions and upgrades reflecting a continual commitment to improving facilities for members.

The 1980s marked another pivotal moment when board sailing was cautiously welcomed as an "experimental" addition. What was once seen as a potential worry is now one of the Club's great strengths. Today, windsurfing and wingfoiling are a core part of Oxford SC's identity.

Youth development has always sat at the heart of the Club. Over six decades, Oxford SC has provided a springboard for generations of young sailors and windsurfers, some of whom have gone on to compete at the very highest level. Olympians including Michael Green, Bryony Shaw — bronze medallist at Beijing 2008 — and Tom Squires, seventh at the Tokyo 2020 RS:X event, all trace part of their journey back to Farmoor.

Along the way, the Club has hosted national and international championships and even enjoyed royal visits, with HRH The Prince Philip supporting the 1969 International Team Championships and HRH The Princess Anne presenting prizes at the 2009 UK Nationals.

Today, Oxford Sailing Club is a thriving, volunteer run organisation — continually reinvesting in equipment, safety, training and clubhouse facilities. While much has changed since that stormy first race in 1966, the essentials remain the same: committed volunteers, a welcoming community, and the simple joy of sailing on open water in the heart of the country.

Craftinsure GP14 UK National Championships 2026 at Llandudno Sailing Club

 

Llandudno Sailing Club will be welcoming competitors to the Craftinsure GP14 Nationals on the 11-14th June 2026, where boats will once again line the club's Victorian promenade, and where once again sailors will be spoilt by the Welsh hospitality.

With the season hotting up, and an oversubscribed World Championship later in the year, this event will be hotly contested. Those campaigning will be looking to race against the best and to put their name alongside the greats on the trophy.

Also the event brings the opportunity to be invited to the UK 'Champion of Champions' at the 65th Endeavour Trophy, representing the GP14 fleet at the pinnacle of the year's events. The GP14 class has always had a strong record for Endeavour Trophy wins (seven times, rivalled only by the Enterprises).

Last year saw not only Jasper Barnham and Graham Sexton represent the class after their Nationals win, but the likes of Nick Craig & Toby Lewis and Chris Bateman & Lucy Loughton take part. Chris, who is already signed up to the GP14 Worlds, sailed to an impressive second overall with Lucy at the 2025 Endeavour.

Let's see if anyone can top this in 2026.