Delight as popular Bridlington Sailing Coble Festival returns in July

 It has now been confirmed that the 2022 Bridlington Sailing Coble Festival will take place over the weekend of Saturday July 23 and Sunday July 24, with an unofficial sailing day on Friday, July 22.

Organisers are hoping to hear from anyone with a traditional vessel who would like to be part of this popular maritime event.

A spokesperson for the Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society said: “New members are always welcome and further details on membership packages and this year’s Sailing Coble Festival can be obtained by emailing threebotherscoble@gmail.com or by letter to BSCPS, Harbour Office, Gummers Wharf, Bridlington, YO15 3AN.”

BoatLife's Debut Show displays over 120 boats

 The brand-new show, BoatLife Live, opens on 17 February. The four-day show taking over 3 Halls at the NEC, has secured an exciting line-up of exhibitors, speakers and features and will deliver a memorable first show.

The lifestyle event will be opened by Pip Hare, the 8th woman in history to complete the Vendee Globe and after, she will take to the stage to talk more about her experiences and take questions from show visitors. The live stage is the main attraction at the show, and with speakers such as Katie McCabe, Tom Cunliffe, Atlantic rowing teams and SUP record-breakers there will be something for everyone.

The big spectacle of the show is boats and exhibiting are a wide variety of well known brands at both the affordable and high end scale. From Fairline, Brig, Aquaspirit, Saxdor to Momba, Sea-doo, Viko Yachts and Bavaria. The show will host several boat debuts, including the RYCK 280, Nordkapp Airbourne 7, SwordFish 690, Seven Seas Hermes Speedster, and Polycraft Tuffy 300.

Alongside the boats will be a vast selection of equipment and engine companies, including Quick UK, Raymarine, B&G, Mastervolt, English Braids, Technical Marine Supplies, Barrus Marine Equipment, Bainbridge, Honda and Pirates Cave. Complimented by other marine leisure brands including SBS Trailers, Freedom Boat Club, Flexisail and ProMarine Finance.

There is also a dedicated Inland Watersways zone featuring the popular 70ft Viking Widebeam and also a small classic boat area displaying some fantastic historic and classic boats. From dinghys and launches to a 1930's hydroplane, Skiff's, Punts and even an Edwardian Canoe. The Thames Traditional Boat Festival will also be joining us on our Classic Boat Stand located between Katie's McCabes boat Falanda and The Motorboat Gallery.

Ben Nichols, Clipper Marine, commented "We are really excited to finally have a dedicated boat show catering for the North of England - it will be great to be back in the Midlands to meet all those boaters who don't make it down to the Southampton Boat show and other southern shows. Stock is very scarce at the moment, but we will have boats on display for immediate delivery."

Haley Hadley, ABC Leisure, "We are very excited to be back with a boat at this brand new exciting show especially as its local to us in Birmingham. A great chance to have a look inside a narrowboat and discuss a boating holiday with us.

Jo Davies, Princess Motor Yacht Sales, "We are delighted to be attending BoatLife at the NEC. The show is a superb opportunity for us to showcase the Princess brand at a UK indoor show! We have seen a lot of people who are new to yachting in the last couple of years, so we are hoping we can introduce even more new faces to this incredible pastime."

Find out more at boatlifeevents.com

Chase Sailing Club 2022 Season

 After a quiet couple of years, Chase Sailing Club is back up to speed with a bumper year ahead.

The Chase Sailing Club is a great central location for all visitors, set in the beautiful surroundings of Chasewater country park boasting a 900-hectare reservoir which will offer some very exciting, tight racing. With plenty to do in the surrounding area why not bring the family along too and enjoy everything the club and the part have to offer.

Chase SC 2022 Events:

26th/27th March GP14 Midland Areas

24th/25th September: Lightning 368 Nationals

24th September: Solo Open

9th October: Phantom Open

17th December: Polar Pursuit Race

We look forward to seeing you all on the water in the coming year!

Burton Blizzard at Burton Sailing Club

 Burton Sailing Club hosted two dozen dinghies and half a dozen windsurfers for the first event of our season. Part of a four club challenge this was round two and saw entries from our home club of Burton SC as well as Notts County SC, Staunton Harold SC and Ogston SC.

The format of the racing was a pursuit race followed by four Handicap races with joint course for the pursuit and separate courses for the boards and dinghies. The wind over the weekend was blowing a hooly and the safety crew and race officers had their work cut out.

The briefing saw a full club house as we all sheltered from the weather, remarkably there was a real desire to go out sailing ? and the OOD obliged.

The pursuit saw a good number of boats waiting their turn, Lasers, Solos, RS400's, D zero, Scorpions, GP14,s, Aeros, Flying Fifteens, Phantoms and Fireballs to name some of the classes. The first beat was the full length of the reservoir which was taxing for the crews in the conditions, the start sequence was smooth and all the classes got away. It looked to be set for a wild time with every boat planing on the long downwind leg, (the benefit of using the full length of the res)

Then it happened, the wind built drastically, we had half meter waves and whitecaps, and boats started to tumble on every leg. We had two boats being recovered off the dam wall, the crews later reporting that even with full power astern they couldn't gain ground against the wind, one rib was so swamped the OOD feared for the crew, a jaffa was attending a boat on the beach, and the ferry boat was pressed into service just to try and aid people. With four boats fully engaged, seven dinghies over and a Phantom tied to the back of the committee boat and no sign of the wind abating the inevitable decision was made to can the race. The abandon was raised at 55 mins into the 80 min pursuit, no one complained!

Special mention must be made to the Burton Sailing Club Race Organisation, who encountered some of the most difficult conditions seen at BSC, with the on the water teams on both days being pummelled by the weather and our shore teams dealing with variously sodden sailors, unplanned lunches, power cuts and fantastically a BBQ on the 13th Feb filled with Pasties, Soup and Burgers! Now that is called thinking outside the box.

 Overall Results:

Pos Class Sail No Helm Crew Club PY R2 R3 R4 R5 Pts

Dinghy Fleet

1st Scorpion 2040 Andy McKee Staunton Harold SC 1041 3 1 1 5

2nd Fireball 14836 Kevin Hope Andrew Stewart Notts County SC 952 2 1 2 3 5

3rd Flying Fifteen 3949 Andrew George Matt Pallett Burton SC 1021 1 DNF 3 2 6

4th GP14 14072 Darrell Sleep Charles Saunders Staunton Harold SC 1130 4 4 5 13

5th ILCA 6 149743 Mike Pain Burton SC 1147 5 6 6 4 15

6th ILCA 7 197774 Carl Avery Burton SC 1100 7 8 5 20

7th LASER 4.7 177777 Mike Hampton Burton SC 1208 2 4 40

8th RS 400 960 Peter Gray Richard Pepperdine Staunton Harold SC 942 3 DNF 46

9th Solo 5856 Brian Fisher Notts County SC 1142 5 7 46

10th Scorpion 2002 Chloe Willars John Tailby Notts County SC 1041 DNF 74

Windsurf Fleet

1st Windsurf 6.7 Nieve Ball Burton SC 1077 3 1 4

2nd Windsurf 4.7 John Gay Burton SC 1182 2 2 4

3rd Windsurf 3.7 Amelia Gay Burton SC 1390 1 7

4th Windsurf Natalia Burton SC 1182 3 9

5th Windsurf Greg Rimmer Burton SC 1100 12

2022 RYA Youth Sailing Nationals Returns to the Irish Sea

 The RYA Youth Sailing Brititsh National Championships is making a much-anticipated return to Wales in 2022 – and entries are now open for the Irish Sea event.

The week-long regatta heads to Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy in Pwllheli, North Wales, for the first time since 2016.

The regatta will take place from April 9 to 15 against the backdrop of the beautiful Cardigan Bay, and will be the first time that all current British Youth Sailing youth pathway classes have competed at the same event.

A full foiling compliment of iQFOiL and kitefoil classes will feature alongside the ILCA 6 and 7, the 420, 29er and Nacra 15.

Mark Nicholls, the RYA’s Youth Racing Manager, said: “We are really happy to be heading back to Plas Heli for the 2022 RYA Youth National Championships.

“It’s a stunning location and we know from past regattas there that it can deliver outstanding, world-class racing.

“What’s more, all of the current British Youth Sailing youth pathway classes will be showcased this year in what’s set to be a real spectacle of youth racing.”

Entries received before February 21 will be eligible for a reduced fee of £180 for single-handers and £240 for double-handers. The standard entry fee is £210 for single-handers and £280 for double-handers.

Entries after March 19 will be subject to a late entry fee.

The RYA is also on the hunt for volunteers, both shore-based and on-water, to help make the event a success. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact youthnationals@rya.org.uk.

To enter the regatta head to the event’s dedicated website youthnationals.rya.org.uk.

Entry open for the 2022 Volvo Cork Week at the Royal Cork Yacht Club - 300 years in the making

 Entry is open for 2022 Volvo Cork Week, celebrating the tricentenary of the world's oldest yacht club, the Royal Cork YC. Since 1978, Cork Week has been the venue for many epic battles on the water and legendary craic ashore. The 300th birthday celebrations for the Royal Cork adds a unique dimension.

Cork300, a collection of events marking the tricentenary, was due to take place in 2020. Due to the pandemic, the Tricentenary celebrations have been extended and organisers look forward to welcoming visitors from all around the world to celebrate the founding of the oldest yacht club in the world.

Volvo Cork Week features up to five days of world class racing. Over 60 boats have already signed up and the Royal Cork Yacht Club is preparing for over a thousand sailors from around the world to take part. All boats already entered, and who enter before Easter Sunday, will be in with a chance of winning a maximum of eight branded crew jackets from Musto.

Logistics

The Royal Cork Yacht Club is making a huge effort to offer local accommodation in and around Crosshaven for visiting teams. Ranging from luxury villas with stunning views to campervan & camping at Crosshaven Rugby Club. There are opportunities available to suit any budget: (www.corkweek.ie/accommodation)

Getting your team or boat to Volvo Cork Week has been supported by Irish Ferries for many years. Discount codes are published for travel to Ireland from the UK and France. www.corkweek.ie/irish-ferries-ferry-discounts-now-live

Celebrating the first tricentenary by any yacht club, Volvo Cork Week is set to be a monumental event. To rejoice this grand occasion Volvo Cork Week is providing superb racing for a huge variety of sailors, and fun ashore that will be talked about for the next 300 years!

For more information visit www.corkweek.ie.

South Windermere Sailing Club open day 2022

 On Saturday Feb 19th 10am - 2pm SWSC will be holding an open day for interested people and prospective members to visit our new fantastic location and talk to club members.

The new location at YMCA North Camp on the west shore of Lake Windermere has to be one of the best locations for a sailing club imaginable - huge open sailing area, protected launching, and fantastic views. It's not just perfect for sailing but a great place to hang out with like minded people after a day out on the Lake - whether it be racing, cruising, or just messing about in boats.

And the link up with the YMCA means there is camping, dorms and lodges available to stay over.

Visitors will see very much a work in progress. Club members are busy getting ready for the new season, preparing the club house, surfacing the boat park, putting in a new lake access road, and installing a new jetty.

Enthusiasm and confidence are high, and although there is lots to be done, it is expected that the facilities will be ready for the start of the new season towards the end of March.

The new Old School Kitchen cafe on site will be open for teas, coffees, cakes and light lunches.

For more information visit www.swsailing.co.uk or www.facebook.com/swsailingclub

Sessions and Sail to bring music to the Swan later this year

 An experience combining sailing and live music sessions will come to the isles for the first time in April.

Sessions and Sail, started by isles musician Barry Nisbet, will see musicians of all abilities given the opportunity to sail around Shetland aboard the Swan between 25th and 29th April.

It will coincide with the 40th Shetland Folk Festival celebrations.

The first voyage for Sessions and Sail took place in 2018, but this is the first time it has been brought to the isles.

Musician Nisbet said that the trip, initially booked for 2020, had been “a long time coming”.

“I’ve run trips further south and have always been keen to bring Sessions and Sail home,” he said.

“With Swan being such a well-known Shetland vessel, and having sailed on her regularly myself, I know she will be the perfect boat to partner with.

“I am also delighted that for the sailing we will be under the command of skipper Maggie Adamson, who is a top class Shetland musician as well as an excellent sailor.”

Swan Trust Trustee Brian Wishart said they were “delighted” to bring Sessions and Sail to the isles.

“The Swan is no stranger to musical sessions, with many a memorable night aboard.

“We hope this trip may become an annual event, adding to the wide range of high-quality musical experiences on offer in Shetland.”

Skiffsports launches "buy now / pay later club" youth hire fleet model

 Skiff Sports Limited, the exclusive UK distributor for the O'PEN Skiff class dinghy has launched a cost effective way for clubs and sailing centers to buy either one, two or more of these great little boats in order to start a hire fleet.

There has never been more impetus on getting young people to try our sport, join clubs and wherever they go, and whatever they do, hopefully remain sailors for life. However busy lives, limited winter storage and lack of funds mean many young people would rather rent boats, by the hour or the by the day, rather than buy their own.

The O'PEN Skiff dinghy

The O'PEN Skiff dinghy (formerly known as the Open Bic), is a single handed sailboat designed for younger sailors. Developed by Bic Sport and Vitali Design, the boat was launched in 2006. It is an International Class, as recognized by World sailing.

The O'PEN skiff is a fun fast lightweight dinghy for children and adults under 70 kg. The boat is sailed across the world with the 2021 World Championship being held in Sandinia. The boat was designed to be easy to rig and launch as well as bringing a smile to all sailors.

"The O'pen Skiff is a fantastic boat for young sailors to experience the joy of sailing. It is fast, exciting and fun to sail yet simple to rig and maintain. Many of the skills learnt in the O'pen Skiff will be easily transferred to other boats as sailors evolve and progress onto other forms of sailing." Sir Russell Coutts, World Champion New Zealand Yachtsman and America's Cup Winner.

If you or your club are interested in learning more please contact Simon or Tim at Skiffsports Ltd on 02392 413155 or simon@skiffsports.com.

Also check out the website to learn more about the O'PEN Skiff,  skiffsports.com

Open Day and 'Crew Match' and Royal Lymington Yacht Club

 The Royal Lymington Yacht Club (RLymYC) will be hosting its annual Open Day and 'Crew Match' on Saturday 26th March to introduce the fun of sailing and boating to as many people in the community as possible.

The Open Day will take place from 10am to 4pm at the RLymYC clubhouse in Bath Road, Lymington, with the Crew Match Morning taking place from 10am to 12noon in the bar.

Everyone is welcome and no prior boating experience is required to join the RLymYC and take part in the huge number of activities on offer. Representatives from many areas of the club will be on hand during the Open Day to show visitors around and a selection of members' boats will be available to view.

The RLymYC Sunday Spring Series and Thursday Night Racing Series are extremely popular with up to 100 boats out each week during the summer. It includes boats of all sizes and crews of all levels of skill, competing against each other.

The club also offers plenty of weekend sailing and power boating, dinghy sailing, RYA training and junior coaching, racing and adventures, as well as many other events for newcomers to enjoy. The club's junior and youth sailors are out in all weathers having fun. On the water activities are known to enhance self-confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Come along to learn or improve your sailing and motor boating skills. This year RLymYC is celebrating its Centenary and there has never been a better time to join them out on the water!

Visit the Royal Lymington Yacht Club on Saturday 26th March between 10am and 4pm and get into boating!

For more information, contact the Sailing Manager at Royal Lymington Yacht Club on 01590 672677 or sail@rlymyc.org.uk

RS400 Demo Boat available for trials and events

 Are you thinking of joining the RS400 class? If so, come and find out why this class remains so popular, over 25 years after it was launched, with great turnouts at National and regional events, a 50-boat National Championships, a proactive Class Committee and a super-friendly and welcoming fleet.

The RS Class Association have two demo RS400s, one in England and one in Scotland. Bookings are now being taken for full and half day trials and for more experienced sailors, for class and open events, including the Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships at East Lothian YC.

There is a nominal charge which helps to fund the maintenance, storage and transportation of the boats, but rates are very competitive compared to a traditional charter. Priority is given to sailors new to the class, but we can also sometimes accommodate past RS400 sailors looking to re-join the fleet.

The demo boats have been hugely popular and have led to a number of new sailors joining the class. Antony Parker recently sailed one: "When I heard about the RS400 demo that was going around the clubs, I had just had to enquire at Leigh and Lowton to see what this boat was all about," he said. "After speaking with Dave Exley, who kindly offered his time to go through the boat, myself and a friend took the RS400 out for a sail and I was immediately hooked, I needed to find one and join the fun!

The English boat is currently at Leigh & Lowton, where it will be based until mid-June, from there the plan is for it to head south for the Summer, before making the journey, with the Scottish boat, to East Lothian Yacht Club for the Nationals, 8th-12th August.

If you are interested in joining the class, you are invited to contact sally@rs-association.com to book a sail or come and talk to the RS400 Class Association Rep on the RS stand at the RYA dinghy show 26-27th February when you will be able to discuss all things RS400 with our friendly team of experts.

Join Royal Lymington's Centenary XOD Week

 The Royal Lymington Yacht Club (RLymYC) will be hosting their 2022 XOD Regatta from Saturday 4th until Wednesday 8th June. This year RLymYC is celebrating its Centenary and there has never been a better time to join them out on the water!

Racing will take place out on the Solent throughout the five day event, with prizes awarded for specific categories at the end of the regatta. Racing at the RLymYC XOD Week is competitive yet friendly, lighthearted and fun, with many skippers and crews enjoying drinks and socialising together in the RLymYC bar afterwards.

Visiting skippers and crews will be welcome at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club throughout the event, including the popular bar, restaurant and sun terraces.

A number of events are planned at the Club for the evenings, including a party with food and live music from The Goodfoot Band on Saturday 4th June, and a drinks party on Monday 6th June, sponsored by Wessex Distillery. The grand finale for the event will be a Prize Giving evening after racing has concluded on Wednesday 8th June.

Event entry is free for members of the Lymington XOD Division and just £60 per boat for visiting boats, which are welcome to arrive by sea or by land.

Berthing at the Club will be free for the first six visitor entries! The Club has negotiated discounted rates for other visiting boats to berth at Lymington Yachthaven or on the Harbour Master's Dan Bran pontoon.

Visiting boats arriving by land can benefit from free storage for trailer and boat by prior arrangement and a discounted rate for cranage at just £60 per lift.

Find out more and register your entry online at www.rlymyc.org.uk/xodweek

Join the RLymYC Crew Match!

You don't need to own a boat to get involved in XOD Week! If you fancy racing as crew on a boat in 2022, visit the Royal Lymington's 'Crew Match' and Open Day taking place at the Club on Saturday 26th March from 10am to 12pm.

'Crew Match' is a relaxed and informal event enabling people to match their sailing experience, level of knowledge and racing ambition with club members looking for crew. Being part of a crew requires no financial outlay apart from some waterproof kit. Find out more at rlymyc.org.uk/CrewMatch2022

For more information about the Centenary XOD Week or Crew Match, contact Sailing Manager, Vicky Leen, at Royal Lymington Yacht Club on 01590 672677 or sail@rlymyc.org.uk

Under-25s can win entry, boat and accomodation for Lark National Championships 2022

 The Lark class are extremely excited to announce the launch of the Nationals competition for under 25s, whereby one lucky winner wins the following:

Free Entry to the 2022 Lark Nationals Championships held in 1st-4th June at Pentewan, Cornwall.

Full use of the Synergy Marine demo Lark boat throughout he champs. The boat is only six months old!

Accommodation is also thrown in, with a pitch at the shore-side Pentewan Holiday park, where most of the competitors will be staying.

therefore only food & beer vouchers will be needed, by the lucky competition winner, to take part in the lark nationals.

the competition is open all sailors under 25 years and to enter simply name the synergy marine demo boat and tell us why your entry should win. see t&cs

Closing date for entries 1st april .

On the Lark class's choice of Pentewan, Alan Krailing, past Lark National Champion, said "Having raced at Pentewan in a previous event I was delighted to see it chosen as the host venue for the 2022 Lark Nationals. As a parent I look for a venue that works for the whole family and Pentewan certainly does that with conveniently placed accommodation, a great beach and loads of attractions on the doorstep. Timing is important with lots of competing priorities in the summer, so the spring bank holiday is a big plus."

For further information regarding the Nationals at #Pentewan22 see nationals.larkclass.org

Find us at www.facebook.com/larksailing and www.instagram.com/lark_class