Come and join Leigh and Lowton SC for the first ever Sunrise to Sunset race!

 Come and join Leigh and Lowton SC for the first ever Sunrise to Sunset race! 

It is set to be a weekend of high class dinghy endurance racing, set on a large inland sailing area.  

The S2S continuous race will take place on Saturday 18th June starting at Sunrise and finishing at Sunset. Teams will be racing GP14’s, Enterprise’s and Fireflies with the ability to be able to switch helm and crews out throughout the race. 

Camping is available on site, with the bar and evening entertainment planned for the Friday and Saturday night. Club facilities will be open throughout the event. It’s set to be a fantastic one of a kind event.

Please feel free to download and share the leaflet at the bottom of this page with your fellow club members, family, friends and acquaintances!

 For more information:

Facebook.com/LeighLowtonSC

email|: leighandlowtonsc_s2s@outlook.com 

Stoneways Marine VPRS Nationals 2022 at Poole Regatta, partners with Quay West Chandlers

 With less than a month to go until the 2022 Stoneways VPRS national championships take place (30th April - 2nd May), we are excited to announce that Quay West Chandlers have joined up with us to sponsor the winner's prizes.

The 2022 Stoneways VPRS National Championships are taking place at the International Paint Poole Regatta. Organised by the combined yacht clubs of Poole, the popular race weekend attracts 1000s of sailors to Dorset for three days of friendly, but highly competitive racing. This year's regatta is one of the first large events of 2022 having moved from its usual weekend to avoid conflicting with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities. With 18 classes racing, including IRC, Performance 40, Flying Fifteens, HP30 and Redwings, it is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the South Coast sailing calendar and the VPRS class will be out in force. Teamed with the regatta's legendary evening socials, it is a highlight of the racing year! If you haven't entered yet, visit pooleregatta.co.uk to find out more.

With many local and visiting entries confirmed, the 2022 Stoneways VPRS Nationals looks to build on the successful 2021 nationals which were hosted by Lymington Town Sailing Club. 2021 saw close competitive racing with the lead changing hands multiple times right up until the finish line of the final race. The 2022 Nationals sees two VPRS classes on two start lines, with a wide array of different boats entered. The current field is made up of everything from a Beneteau First 33.7 to a Dehler 39SQ and an MG Springs 25. Poole Bay makes a spectacular location for racing, so this year's championships are shaping up to be even more exciting.

Southampton sailing charity must raise £500k in week to survive

 A SOUTHAMPTON sailing charity with a history of almost 50 years could stop operating vital services if it does not raise at least £500k in a week. 

The Jubilee Sailing Trust has been “deeply affected” by the pandemic and the cost-of-living rise leading to "an immediate cash flow crisis".

After crisis talks, the charity, which has a history of 44 years, announced it had failed in securing financial support from the government. 

And now, the charity says it will not survive unless it can raise £500k by next Thursday, and a total of £1.2m by the end of September. 

Founded in 1978, the trust gives people adventures at sea aboard its tall ship, Tenacious and relies entirely on fundraising and subsidised berths for voyages.

But since the outbreak of the pandemic, it has had limited opportunities to sail, only recently restarting its voyage programme. 

"Our historic journey started with the generous support of the Queen’s Jubilee Fund, and the Royal Household. It is incredibly sad that we face closure, particularly in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Year.”

The next voyage is due to take place on April 22, 2022. 

To donate, visit www.jst.org.uk/support-us/donate. 

Kinsale Yacht Club’s Keelboat Regatta Notice of Race is Published

 The Robotic Mowers Cork One-Design Keelboat Regatta is on Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd May 2022 in Kinsale Yacht Club.

The regatta is open to Squib and Dragon keelboats. It is an open event and KYC is looking forward to welcoming entrants from Glandore Harbour Yacht Club.

Six races are scheduled over the two days, and they will be sailed in the waters between the Old Head and the Sovereign Islands.

HD/Ceilidh Phantom Midland Traveller Series 2022

 Next weekend (Saturday 9th April) sees the start of the HD/Ceilidh Midlands Traveller Series, a joint event with the South West Series at Bowmoor S.C. the home club of last year's series winner Charlie Chandler.

In form Charlie also winner of the Ovington Inland championships will be teaming up with his fellow Bowmoor team, but sure there will be lots of friendly competition from other clubs from the South West. It's a popular start of the season event and will be looking forward to a good showing from the midland sailors to show the southerners how it's done!

At the end of April, Bartley S.C., new to the series in 2022, will be hosting the second event.

Dates for the diary - 2022 Midlands Series: (7 events series best 5 to count)

Bowmoor S.C Saturday 9th April

Bartley S.C. Sunday 24th April

Northampton S.C. Sat/Sun 4th/5th June

Draycote S.C. Sat/Sun 9th/10th July - Inland Championships

Carsington S.C. Sunday 17th July

Chase S.C. Sunday 9th October

Burton S.C. Sunday 23rd October - Prize giving

First Wingfoil Open Race Event set for Hayling Island

 Hayling Island SC is to run an Open Wingfoil race event on Sunday 1 May 2022

Believed to be a first in the UK for the fast expanding Wingfoil class, HISC have put together a Symposium on the day before the race event to explain the concept and how the racing will be structured.

On Saturday 30 April there will be a free Symposium of workshops and presentations from experts on equipment, technique and the competition rules described in Appendix WF to the Racing Rules of Sailing.

Speakers will include: Amanda Van Santen RYA Chief Wingfoil Instructor, Tom Partington Naval Architect and Hydro dynamist, Tim Hancock International Race Officer (and event PRO) discussing the WF Appendix, and Sam Light, International Wingfoil and KiteSurf professional talking about the development of Wingfoiling internationally.

The Wingfoil race event on Sunday 1 May, will comprise of a round robin series of short course racing before a final event race.

Entry is capped at 60 and will close on 23 April.

Portsmouth sailing club honours war veteran and marine artist in naming new launch

 Officials decided on ‘Sapristi’ in recognition of the grant given to the club by The Wyllie Trust, based in Romsey, which greatly helped with its purchase.

The name Sapristi was first used in the class for the boat owned by Lt Col Harold Wyllie, a former Commodore of Portsmouth Sailing Club with which the Victory Class, established in 1934, has strong links.

Sapristi translates as ‘good heavens’ which could well allude to what every sailor hopes for – fair winds.

Lt Col Wyllie served in both the Boer War and in the First World War, the latter as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps before joining the Army. Outside of his services commitments, he was a noted marine artist.

Victory Class officials and members held a naming ceremony for Sapristi at their base in Old Portsmouth.

The newly-named boat is a replacement for her predecessor, which was damaged in the Camber three years ago when a guard ship with gear problems careered into her.

Victory Class vice-captain Matthew Salt told The News that Saprista will be used to ferry members across the Solent to their boats stored in Haslar Marina, Gosport. The launch will also act as the referee’s base during races.

Victory Class members are gearing up for the start of their racing season in mid-April.

Races are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons through to October. Each race can last for around two hours, or more on Saturdays, but that depends on weather conditions. Last year, the Victory Class organised a 97-race season, of which 77 took place.

Salt said: ‘It’s a very accessible form of racing in a great setting outside Portsmouth Harbour.

‘It’s competitive on the water with great socials off it. There’s a good balance - it’s not a place where people come along, race, and then vanish.’

Further details from victoryclass.org.uk

Rooster UK RS Tera National Championships at Dale Yacht Club

 Excitement is mounting amongst the UK RS Tera fleet as preparations are well under way for the Rooster UK RS Tera Nationals 2022.

Following our recent policy of moving our Nationals around our regions, The UK RS Tera Class Association is excited to be heading off to the South Western corner of Wales to Dale Yacht Club, set in the breathtaking scenery of the Pembrokeshire National Park.

With the racing due to held on Dale Roads, at the mouth of Milford Haven, this promises to offer some spectacular sailing, both for the competitors and spectators alike, and with the event happening over the Jubilee weekend, our families should have a great Regatta and holiday.

Entry for the event opened just 4 weeks ago and already 76 sailors have entered the main fleet and our Train & Race Regatta fleet is nearly full, with 21 out of 24 places snapped up.

The Early Bird entry ends at midnight, April 18th, with the final entry closing on May 24th, 2022.

UK RS Tera Class Association Vice Chair-Racing, Simon Lomas Clarke commented: "We are really excited about the 2022 UK RS Tera National Championships in Dale, Pembrokeshire, South Wales from 3rd - 5th June. Supporting the Class ethos of fun, learn, race, the venue offers great sailing waters for our Sport and Pro rigged Championship fleets and the train and race Regatta fleets, the latter supported by the Association's team of specialist Tera coaches."

With support from Celtic Seas Watersports, Dale Yacht Club promises to be an amazing venue for the RS Tera Nationals and, once again, the Class are indebted to Rooster for their ongoing support of the Class.

Details on the event page at www.rstera.org.uk/rs-tera-nationals-dale-2022

The UK RS Tera Class Association is looking forward to welcoming our sailors and families to Dale - Gweld chi yno!

Get set for the RORC Easter Challenge

 The RORC Easter Challenge is back with three days of racing in the Solent over the Easter Bank Holiday, 15-17 April.

Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club for over 30 years, the RORC Easter Challenge offers crews the chance for some vital pre-season training and fine-tuning. With on the water coaching teams will be guided by world class coaches from North U and also Andrew 'Dog' Palfrey. The RORC Cowes Clubhouse will be regatta-central for video debriefs after racing, plus daily prize-givings.

The fleet will be divided into three IRC Classes, with windward leeward and round the cans courses; there will also be practice starts," confirmed RORC Race Officer Steve Cole. "Glassware will be presented to the class winners, and there will be plenty of Easter Eggs as daily prizes. However, the main aim of the RORC Easter Regatta is to get tuned up for the season ahead. The coaches will be giving their help right through the fleet, with top advice on rig set-up, trimming, driving and manoeuvres."

Leading the coaching team will be Andrew 'Dog' Palfrey who lives in Cowes and is respected as one of the top coaches in the world.

Easter is a natural starting point for the season," commented Dave Bartholomew, who has competed at the regatta for over a decade. "An early-season three-day regatta is where we can start honing skills with training and coaching. It is a great way to get up-to-speed at the beginning of the year. Also, as the regatta is held over the bank holiday, crew do not need to take time off work. The RORC Easter Challenge has a nice, relaxed atmosphere; it is really fun to do."

The RORC Cowes Clubhouse will be serving complimentary pasta and beer before each debrief session, with the Clubhouse Restaurant available for bookings every night. The RORC Easter Challenge prize-giving will take place on Sunday 17th April, with the bar open throughout the regatta.

For more information, including online entry go to: www.rorc.org

Wayfarer Inland Championship at Datchet Water Sailing Club

 After a very successful International Championships held in Florida last month, the UK Wayfarer Class now sets its sights on the domestic racing programme beginning with the Inland Championships at Datchet Water SC on 9/10 April.

This will be the first event of the National Circuit and Travellers Series 2022, sponsored once again by Craftinsure and, with Flying Fifteens sharing the water for their open meeting there will be plenty of boats on the water.

There has long been a fleet of Wayfarers at Datchet and an annual open meeting (often the Inland Championships) is usually part of a busy schedule for the travellers. The home fleet is headed by Andrew Wilson who usually finishes somewhere at or near the top of the Wayfarer fleet crewed either by his son, Tom, or by Sue Risbridger. Others to watch out for from the local fleet include Club Commodore, Nick Harris, and Derek Lambert. A small fleet of Wayfarers is forming at nearby Silver Wing SC and it is hoped there will be some visitors from there.

From further afield, visitors will be led by Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend, recently crowned Wayfarer International Champions for the fifth time, and they will be hard to beat. Craftinsure's Mark Lee, crewed by Sam Pygall, will also be very competitive (and probably quite noisy), along with other recently returned teams from the United States, Nigel and Belinda O'Donnell and the Other Townsends, Tim and Jacqueline.

All Wayfarer class boats are welcome to compete and this year it is hoped a few classic wooden Wayfarers will attend as well as the more modern MkIV's.

The Wayfarer events at Datchet are usually well attended. Race management is good and the courses are well set. Saturday evening customarily sees the fleet decamp for a meal to The Ostrich Inn at nearby Colnbrook. The Ostrich has an historic reputation of which the Thenardiers from Les Miserables would be proud. Reputation of the pub notwithstanding, all the competitors survive and turn up at the club for a second day's racing on the Sunday.

The wind forecast for the weekend is for a force 3-4 from the North West on Saturday with a South Easterly 3-4 on Sunday. It won't be as warm as it was in Florida but the competition should still be hot.

For more details visit the Wayfarer Class Association website at wayfarer.org.uk

The Cruising Association and Cowes Week team up to produce 'first-timer' video

 With the debut of the new Club Cruiser Class at Cowes Week 2021, the Cruising Association and Cowes Week organisers have teamed up to produce a 'first-timer' video.

The Cruising Association is proud to be partnering with Cowes Week for the second year as presenting trophy sponsor for the Club Cruiser Class, which made its debut in 2021. Taking place from 30 July-5 August 2022, Cowes Week is the pre-eminent race week in the UK with racing on the world-renowned Solent courses and an après sail programme that makes sure the fun continues long after the finish.

Both the CA and Cowes Week organisers are excited to encourage the new racing division for cruising sailors, with the Club Cruiser Class dedicated to genuine cruising boats who enjoy the thrill of competition.

Entries are open at www.cowesweek.co.uk with the option to enter the whole regatta or specific days. The 'Early Bird' fee applies for entries paid by Friday 27 May, the 'Standard Entry Fee' until 22 July, after which the 'Late Entry' fee applies.

RYA open applications for The Together Fund

 Non-profit organisations and OnBoard and Sailability venues in England are once again invited to apply for small grants for projects which connect with local communities.

The RYA has been awarded £195,000 of National Lottery Funding from the Sport England Together Fund, a continuation of the Tackling Inequalities Fund which has supported the physical activity sector during the pandemic.

The Together Fund will be used for projects which engage with:

Lower socio-economic groups

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities

Disabled People

People with long term health conditions

"This funding has made a real impact so far and as a result we're seeing some really innovative programmes which are successfully connecting sailing with new audiences" explains RYA Director of Sport Development, Rob Clark.

For this round, we're looking to fund projects which not only support vulnerable people to get on the water but that will also provide growth and recovery to venues following the pandemic".

So far, the RYA has allocated £285,000 of this National Lottery Funding directly to 39 venues around the UK.

The Norfolk Schools Sailing Association provided a series of learn to sail sessions for a group of young Sundanese refugees, with three sailors attending the National Schools Regatta as part of the Norfolk Team. The remaining funding is used to support individuals on a low income to access their main sailing programme.

Cobnor Activities Centre, based in Chichester funded a programme of activities for clients at Stone Pillow, a charity helping homeless and vulnerable people to achieve independence.

Gary Palmer, Head of Cobnor Outdoors Activity Trust said: "The funding from the RYA has enabled people to engage in an activity they would never have dreamt of or been able to access themselves within their challenging lives. It's enabled us to open our doors to enhance our offer to people through sailing".

Applications for this round of funding must be submitted before 31st July 2022. 

The Sun Shines For Annandale Sailing Club Prizegiving

 Annandale Sailing Club members were finally able to gather for their Covid-delayed 2021-season prizegiving on Sunday March 27th.

After hosting tea and cake on the new clubhouse terrace in warm spring sunshine, Commodore Elaine Ross welcomed guests to the event which celebrated the achievements of sailors over last season.

Elaine said: “It was a pleasure to get together and celebrate achievements over what has been a challenging couple of years both on and off the water.

“In spite of this we have seen the development of a thriving junior section and a super new addition to the club house which supports more access and provides an excellent viewing spot.

“We have an exciting season ahead and look forward to welcoming potential new members, and visitors at our open day on Sunday 8th May.”

A full programme of racing and training for 2022 is now underway and the annual Open Day makes a post-Covid return on May 8. For more information about Annandale Sailing Club see www.annansail.co.uk