2026 News Update
Welcome all to the new 2026 sailing season.
The coming sailing season will be interesting and more varied than last year due to the potential to join Falmouth regatta in May (they boast 12 RS Aeros) and Salcombe regatta in August.
We will hold our usual sea races as well as harbour races in the season. There will be a dedicated Shaldon Sailing Regatta over 3 days. This will be incorporated in the program when the dates are confirmed.
The Falmouth Regatta (RS Aero UK SW Area Championships 2026) is on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2026. More details are at: https://www.restronguetsc.org/visitors/314-rs-aero-uk-sw-area-championships-2
Salcombe Town Regatta Dinghy Racing 2026 are Monday 27th July – Friday 31st July. Details are at: https://www.salcombeyc.org.uk/event/1212363 and probably most suited to Laser sailors.
We currently have 40 dinghies using up our quota of licences and now have more active sailors than in the last 10 years. The fleet is mostly Lasers, 3 Aeros, and a variety of other boats to include, as a recent addition, a 505. There is a club Topper, laser, and an Enterprise; for a small donation these can be taken out.
The 3 RS Aeros are lightweight “twitchy” dinghies are great fun and well suited to agile sailors, but a little challenging when the wind gets up! With over 5 lasers and 3
enterprises on the beach there can be a ‘one design’ dinghy racing within our races.
The beach is in it’s worst condition in recorded history; it is becoming a ‘rocky beach’ at the end by the steps. We had to move the rescue boat to the end by the Ferry Boat Shelter where it is less rocky. Hopefully in the late Spring the Parish Council will organise a beach tidy up and bring in some small stones and sand to the end by the steps.
The clubhouse has 2 rowing machines which are used by Associate members and local rowing organisations in the village. There are a selection of weights and benches for the more dedicated fitness minded people.
We have a ‘launch’ party on Saturday 4th April and there will be a prize giving ‘end of season’ party; this will be arranged for November 2025.
It is planned to sail on Friday evenings from June when the days are longer and water
gets warmer. On these evenings there will be ‘ad hoc’ races and it will be a good opportunity to practice and experiment with different rig settings. There is a core of dedicated ‘windy sailors’ who like to go out when there is a chance of getting the boat to plane.
There is an online form for new members see link: here
All we need now is for sunshine, warm temperatures and favourable winds
Roger Bufton
Commodore Shaldon Sailing Club