The Start Line, photo by Ben Falat The Noble Marine Streaker National Championship was held at Royal Torbay YC over three days (Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June). The conditions were pretty tough; the forecast had suggested that Friday’s wind would have eased by Sunday but that didn’t happen. Fortunately, by Sunday, we had got used to it although there were some seriously aching muscles after the 7-race series was over. It was disappointing that the entry of 21 boats was consi

With the UK basking in an early summer heatwave the fleet of canoes gathered for the UK National Championships. For those that arrived early conditions were perfect on Portland Harbour for the three days prior to the start of racing with just enough wind to get the boats fully powered up. However as the Morning of the first race came Portland Harbour was getting wilder. Day 1 The start of race 1 caught many out as a large number of canoes were significantly late to the start.

Photos by Margaret Mackley Most Solo sailors are enthusiastic dinghy racers and usually focus on the intricacies of sailing a simple but also challenging little boat rather than looking around and admiring the surroundings. A visit to Dittisham Sailing Club (DSC), which is located on the upper reaches of the Dart near Dartmouth, might however change awareness that sailing in beautiful surroundings can change the whole experience. DSC is a most charming place, however you need

On a quite beautiful sunny Sunday, a small host of local Laser sailors were delighted to be joined by a squadron of Torpoint Mosquito Lasers who had flown in for the day to enjoy the idyllic sailing waters of Dittisham, a hearty mid-racing pasty lunch, splendid post-match cream tea, before buzzing off with most of the prizes. It would have been nice if the wind had been a couple of notches higher up the Beaufort Scale, but everything else was ideal – a weak neap tide to not h

On fathers day weekend in 2017 the D-Zero fleet gathered at Royal Torbay Yacht Club for their National Championships. 34 boats had pre-entered but one was unable to make the trip at very late notice due to a relative being taken very ill, the class wishes them a speedy recovery. A number of the usual suspects were also missing this year due to such silliness as getting married, attending weddings, buying houses that need work and having babies. We hope their priorities will b

North Devon Yacht Club welcomed 20 visiting Dart 18s along with 10 local sailors looking forward to a weekend of sun and hopefully some wind. The main fleet was directed to Instow Beach to set up for the weekend offering sandy launching and recovery directly onto the estuary racing area. Day 1 dawned with little wind and breakfast for 30 teams in the club bar. The early tides meant a briefing at 0900 and first race targeted for 10.30 but the wind was 2-3kn and easterly and

Day 1 Day 1 dawned with little wind and breakfast for 30 teams in the club bar. The early tides meant a briefing at 0900 and first race targeted for 10.30 but the wind was 2-3 kn and easterly. The racing was delayed and we watched the sea breeze come in from the NW. Finally the RO set a course of triangles and sausages and off we went at 1100 in 6 kn wind. The early lead was established by Dan and Amy Teubert from Restronguet which was held to the end with Darren and Tracey

The 2017 Plymouth Dinghy Regatta saw a bumper entry of 65 boats, covering a diverse range of classes and speeds, from a foiling Moth through to Toppers who were also contesting their South West Championships. Part of the SailRacer Summer Series, the Plymouth Dinghy Regatta followed a similar format that has proved highly popular for the GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series, with three average lap races on Saturday and a long distance pursuit race for the Sunday. Hosts Royal Wes

The 2017 Sprint 15 Sports National Championships, sponsored by Wightlink Ferries and Spinlock were held at the Yaverland Sailing and Boating Club, under the organisation of Shanklin Sailing Club on the Isle of Wight on the 19th to 21st May. With a total of 32 boats taking part, racing took place in the English Channel just south of the Isle of Wight. Friday’s first race got away on time featuring an inverted P course, set parallel to the shore in a force 5, south-western dire

Three visitors joined the home boats for the Sutton Bingham Solo Western Series event on Saturday 10 June. On arrival at the reservoir the wind was blowing a nice 15mph from the SSW with occasional gusts... but this was just the prelude as the wind continued to build throughout the day taking its toll on all the sailors. The event was held jointly with the RS Aero Class. Having seen the Aeros crammed down at the pin end five minutes earlier for their start, Vernon Perkins fro