Summer regattas


website). Good restaurants and pubs, great beach, crabbing for the kids and of course great racing. There really is something for everyone, fun for ALL the family. Famous Mersea Weeker Saskia Clark, who is competing in the 2012 Olympics in the Women’s 470, is hoping to compete in Mersea Week 2012 (as she did last year) – if her hopefully gold medal-winning diary allows it! CONTACT: Greg Dunn 07801308054, chairman@merseaweek.com www.merseaweek.com


PYEFLEET WEEK August 5-10 Brightlingsea SC, Brightlingsea, Colchester, Essex EVENT DETAILS: Based in the Colne estuary, this week provides competitive open water racing in a safe environment, an ideal week for beginners and experienced sailors. This is combined with a great social programme and friendly family atmosphere, making it one of the best east coast sailing weeks available. FORMAT: Five race series with one race per day for each class, with starts alternating between mornings and afternoons. Big Wednesday is an all-in handicap for the Reg White Gold Medal Trophy. Local courses in the Colne Estuary provide a variety of sailing with a mixture of committee and club line starts. CLASSES: All classes welcome, starts provided for Mirrors, Fireballs, Lasers, SB3s, Fast, Slow, Cat and Cadet handicap. Any class with five or more entries will be included as a class. ENTRY FEES: To be announced (see website). SOCIAL SCENE: Range of family focused social events included in entry, with commodore’s reception, BBQs, live bands and the famous Big Wednesday Caribbean night with steel band. TIPS FOR VISITORS: Great event for a family holiday on the Essex sunshine coast, providing a relaxed but competitive sailing week with excellent socials. Book early as accommodation can be limited. CONTACT: Dave Gibbons, 01206 211075, commodore@sailbrightlingsea.com www.sailbrightlingsea.com


RAMSGATE WEEK July 30–August 4 Royal Temple YC, Ramsgate EVENT DETAILS: Ramsgate Week is the Royal Temple YC annual regatta; widely recognised as the friendly regatta and the alternative to Cowes. Excellent sailing conditions, with numerous racing buoys in constant depth and unprotected yet sheltered water. The start line, be it the usual club line or from a committee boat, is just minutes from the harbour entrance. FORMAT: The IRC Coastal Series will consist of three qualifying races between Monday July 30 and Wednesday August 1. The IRC International


74 Yachts & Yachting May 2012


Regatta is four races between Thursday August 2 and Saturday August 4, including the Noot Cup normally ‘Round the Goodwins’ on Thursday August 2, two races for the QEII Cup and the famous Ramsgate Gold Cup on August 4 forming part of Ramsgate Week Regatta July 30– August 4. The Cruiser Series for Class 5, 6 and 7 will have six qualifying races, one per day, between Monday July 30 and August 4. CLASSES: Three IRC classes, three cruiser classes, including one with spinnaker, and two white sail classes. ENTRY FEES: Full week £150. An ‘early bird’ discount of £50 on full week entry fee will be available if paid in full before May 31. SPONSORS: Various daily sponsors including Hornby Hobbies, Icom, Shepherd Neame. SOCIAL SCENE: Free live entertainment every evening TIPS FOR VISITORS: Families can enjoy the regatta as part of a summer holiday, with Ramsgate boasting fine sandy beaches. European holidays in July make it easy for competitors from the continent to come over and 2012 sees a return to the famous afternoon après sail. Ramsgate town, a few minutes walk from the marina, has bars and restaurants catering for all tastes, including five excellent restaurants underneath the club house. The marina, in the historic Royal Harbour, offers 200 berths with water and electricity provided, lifting and repair facilities available. There are a number of hotels and B&Bs, plus advice on arranging crew houses is available. CONTACT: Carol Wilson, 01843 591766, info@rtyc. com www.ramsgateweek.com


STONE WEEK July 30-August 3 Stone SC, St Lawrence, Essex EVENT DETAILS: Open to all adult dinghy and catamaran classes. FORMAT: Mix of committee boat and line starts around the River Blackwater. SOCIAL SCENE: Full social programme throughout the week, commodore’s reception Sunday evening July 29. TIPS FOR VISITORS: Camping available. CONTACT: Jan 07810376148, club 01621 779344, secretary@stonesailingclub.org www.stonesailingclub.org.uk


WHITSTABLE WEEK July 30-August 3 Whitstable YC, Whitstable, Kent EVENT DETAILS: Whitstable Week has a racing series from Monday to Friday plus evening entertainment. Racing is held in Whitstable Bay with only a 10 to 15 minute sail to the course from the club. The bay offers the opportunity for full size triangle and windward-leeward courses in all


wind directions. This gives the opportunity for each fleet to sail their ideal course. Boat parking is on the beach or a short wheel from the harbour beside the club. FORMAT: Two races per day – eight race series plus one day with cadet and fun racing. CLASSES: Asymmetric, Laser, Laser Radial, Merlin Rocket, Tasar, General handicap, Slow handicap, Large cats (with spinnakers), Slow cats. ENTRY FEES: £35 per boat for the week or £10 per day. This includes entry to all entertainment and club facilities. SPONSORS: Towergate Insurance SOCIAL SCENE: Bands, quiz nights, BBQs. TIPS FOR VISITORS: Book early and take advantage of club accommodation (£20 pp per night) CONTACT: Jane Robinson, 01227 272942, office@wyc.org.uk, Twitter @whitstableyc www.whitstableweek.co.uk


WROXHAM WEEK July 22-July 29 Norfolk Broads YC, Wroxham Broad, Wroxham, Norfolk EVENT DETAILS: Olympic themed open regatta week with eight days of open class and handicap racing. FORMAT: Most classes three races per day. See the website for full programme CLASSES: All single and doublehanded dinghies (Allcomers B, handicap racing), including Norfolk One Design. Separate races for Optimist fleet. KEELBOATS: Broads One Design, Yare and Bure One Design, Yeoman (Allcomers A), Star. River Cruisers registered through the River Cruiser Class. ENTRY FEES: £1.50 per boat per race. Singlehanders 75p per race. SOCIAL SCENE: A hugely entertaining and busy week with social events every evening: Sunday July 22, Greek evening with supper and live Greek


band (pre book); Monday July 23, quiz night with supper (book on the day); Tuesday July 24, Wroxham Week dinner (pre book); Wednesday July 25, fish and chip night; Thursday July 26, Wroxham Regatta Day, since 1888, additional races plus supper and live band; Friday July 27, Olympic opening live on big screen with supper; Saturday July 28, end of regatta party, meal, live band and dancing; Sunday July 29, closing day and grand prizegiving with scones to celebrate! TIPS FOR VISITORS: Free parking for all visitors and competitors. No mooring or launching fees for competing boats. Fantastic clubhouse facilities and changing rooms. Clubhouse restaurant open every day from breakfast at 0800, bar open every day from 1200. CONTACT: Jo Launchbury, 01603 782808, manager@nbyc.co.uk www.nbyc.co.uk


SOUTH


BOURNE END WEEK June 2–6


Upper Thames SC, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire FORMAT: Two races per day per class over four days and one general handicap race on fifth day, plus Rater race for the Queen’s Cup. CLASSES: Merlin Rocket, Wayfarer, OK, Feva, Firefly, Handicap, Thames A-Rater ENTRY FEES: Thames A Rater: £137 all five days (£120.00 early entry); £31 daily (£28 early entry). Two-handed dinghy: £58 all five days (£50 early entry); £16 daily (£14 early entry). Singlehanded dinghy: £35 all five days (£30 early entry); £10 daily (£9 early entry). Cadet entries half price. SPONSORS: Lafarge SOCIAL SCENE: Friday welcome supper; Saturday BBQ; Sunday cocktail party; Sunday supper; Monday curry and live music, Jerry Stretch Rock Guitar Classics; Tuesday Diamond Jubilee lunch;


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