Regatta Season on the English Riviera starts in earnest from the Jubilee weekend as the home of the 1948 Sailing Olympics welcomes visiting sailors from around the world.
There are great racing conditions in this beautiful, horseshoe shaped bay with plenty of vantage points for spectators, giving everyone the chance to see seamanship at its best. This year’s programme kicks off with a bevy of nautical events over the Jubilee Weekend including:
Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta (1 – 2 June) is part of the brand new BrixFest event.
The Brixham Heritage Regatta has its roots in the Sailing Trawler races that have been held in Torbay since the early 1800’s. In 1914, King George V presented the Perpetual Challenge Cup also popularly known as the ‘King George V Cup’ or the ‘Kings Cup’, to be raced for by Brixham registered sailing trawlers over 40 tons. This was competed for annually from 1919 until 1939 when the war ended racing, it was not re-started for almost 60 years. Normally held in May it has been moved this year to celebrate the Jubilee weekend.
Feva National Championships (2– 5 June)
RS Feva, a small two handed dinghy sailed mainly by youngsters but can be sailed by adults. Royal Torbay Yacht Club has a strong fleet of these boats. This event is expected to attract 100 boats.
RS 100 National Championship (2 – 5 June)
The English Riviera welcomes the RS 100 National Sailing Championships with over 50 boats participating.
Other spectacular events during the sailing season include Devon Yawl Nationals (16 – 17 June), Laser SB3 Open Meeting (6 – 8 July), Albacore National Championships (21 – 23 July), Cadet National Championships (12 – 17 August), 420 National Championships (18 – 24 August) Paignton Sailing Club Scorpion National Championship (18 – 24 August) and much more.
Torbay Week (24 – 29 August) is a major highlight of the English Riviera’s summer sailing season and is one of the most popular regattas on the south coast. Sailors of all classes flock to the English Riviera, ready to pit their wits and skills against each other in exciting races, and the event regularly attracts national and international sailing championships. The great thing for visitors is that, whether you’re a boating fanatic or a real land-lubber, there’s as much going on onshore as there is on the waves, for Torbay Week coincides with the Torbay Royal Regatta, now in its 199th year! There’s a fun fair on Torquay seafront, a 10K road race, a fabulous firework display and a performance from regatta favourites the Red Arrows. Brixham Regatta also takes place from 24th-27th August.
Inspired to Give it A Try?
The English Riviera is just perfect for beginners and improvers. There is a superb selection of RYA-recognised sailing schools located in Brixham and Torquay that offer first class instruction and affordable sailing experiences. Trained by skilled and fully qualified teachers, students receive first-hand sailing practice, tuition in navigational techniques and the opportunity to discover Devon’s most beautiful spots.
Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive Officer of the English Riviera Tourism Company said, “The English Riviera has the most exceptional vantage points for watching world-class sailing. As a tourism company we are actively involved in supporting local maritime activity and 2012 is a great time to enjoy a visit to the venue of the 1948 Sailing Olympics.”
Places to stay:
The Cary Arms at Babbacombe has its own moorings!
The Heritage Hotel, Torquay offers sailing breaks.
Quayside Hotel in Brixham is right by the waterside.
Robin Hill Guest House, Torquay accommodates many of the visiting crews.
For more information and where to stay visit http://www.englishriviera.co.uk
Ends
Contact Anita Newcombe
Anita Newcombe Media & PR
07718-884482
01803-850886
Launched in October 2010 the ERTC is a new private sector-led public/private tourism partnership leading on the official promotion of the English Riviera as a leading UK resort and overseeing the effective delivery of the 2010-2015 Turning the Tide for Tourism in
Torbay Strategy. To download a copy of the strategy please visit: www.englishriviera.co.uk/ertc Please note that the ERTC is a company controlled by the Council of the Borough of Torbay
