WASZP UK 2022 Calendar Released
by Martin Evans 9 Dec 2021 11:16 GMT
UK WASZP Nationals at Rutland day 1 © Howevideography
At a time when the winter warriors are digging out their warmest kit and dusting the ice off their boats, the UK WASZP team has been working hard to arrange a massive year for 2022.
The UK sector of the world's most popular one-design foiler is set for its biggest year yet. In 2021, the UK fleet already broke WASZP records by delivering the highest national championship attendance of any country that the class has ever seen, with 56 boats on the starting line. For 2022, the target is for 70 boats to line up on Portland Harbour for the nationals, and there are plenty of other events for WASZP sailors to get stuck into.
The year kicks off with five training weekends all over the country, headed up by some of the top UK WASZP sailors, including the reigning European Champion, Matt Beck. Newcomers and experienced sailors are all encouraged to turn up, brave the cold and sharpen their foiling skills.
In March, the racing season gets under way at Datchet - a stronghold for the class. This marks the first leg of the seven event Grand Prix series. There is no better place to get the season going thanks to a very active and committed local fleet.
Many sailors plan to load boats up at Datchet and head down to Mar Menor, Spain for the European Games over Easter. Mar Menor is a foiling paradise with flat water, sunshine and good breeze and an awesome place for a major championship.
Following the Europeans, in April the class heads to Ullswater for the Daffodil Regatta and second leg of the GP series. From there, it is a hop from the Lakes, over the Pennines to Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club for GP number 3 in May.
The National Championship will take place in June at WPNSA, where a record-breaking fleet will hit the water. Sailors from all over the UK are expected, as well as a good turnout from our Irish friends, who will be on their way to the WASZP International Games in Garda. In the lead-up to the event, the class is running pre-nationals training days to help sailors hone their skills before the competition begins. In 2021, there were some sailors who only sailed the WASZP for the first time at these training days and went on to race in the championship, so there really is no lower limit for entry. This event will also act as a qualifier for SailGP Inspire in Plymouth, so if there are any U21 sailors with their sights set on SailGP, they should certainly consider joining the swarm for this event. Overall, expect outstanding racing, ample learning opportunities and knockout socials every night!
From a record-breaking national championship to a record-breaking international championship, the WASZP International Games in July will be the biggest WASZP event in history with around 200 boats expected on Lake Garda! The event will be nothing short of sensational, and as the leading national fleet, a good British contingent is expected. After all, history shows that the UK sailors have the talent to take home the titles!
After the WASZP Games, the calendar looks to Dublin where British sailors will return the favour to the Irish fleet by heading to their national championships. Dublin bay, a short hop on the ferry from Holyhead, is a cracking foiling venue, whilst the fun to be had in Dublin city is well documented...!
The fourth GP of the series will take place in August, with the final date and venue to be confirmed very soon. In September, the fleet heads north of the border to Loch Lomond for the Scottish Championship and GP number 5. The social scene up there is notoriously good, and the sailing shouldn't be bad either. From there the fleet moves south to Carsington in late September for GP 6 before continuing all the way south to Plymouth where Plymouth Youth Sailing will deliver the final event of the GP series. October also sees a Scottish open at the end of the month at Dalgety Bay - a WASZP favourite for the Scots.
For the first time in 2022, the season will round off with an End of Season Championship and Party, which will be held at Rutland Sailing Club. Rutland has hosted several WASZP nationals over the past few years, so is familiar territory for the class. This final outing will celebrate the season gone by with a class dinner, end of season prize-giving and party!
With such a packed calendar spanning the whole country, the WASZP class is now more accessible than ever. Those interested to be part of the class should contact Duncan Hepplewhite at Sailingfast. Duncan and Emma offer an outstanding service and are perfectly positioned to help new sailors along their foiling journey.