Whitstable Yacht 2025 season preview
by Steve Gray 6 Mar 16:39 GMT
Whitstable Week © Steve Gray
Whitstable Yacht Club is looking forward to the new 2025 season with a schedule that includes national championships for Tasars and Wanderers, the Solo Spring Championships, the return of the SE Toppers together with a full programme of 107 club races.
Behind the headlines our focus is to bring improving sailors, both young and old, into wider club activities and the racing programme. Last year the Improver sessions were well attended and our new 'Transition to Racing' programme proved a success. This year these initiatives are expanded to include a number of coached races alongside the main race series to give improving sailors more confidence and experience.
The programme also includes activities for those less inclined toward competitive racing including dinghy cruises and 'Paddle in Company' sessions for kayaks and paddleboards.
Our biggest regatta is 'Whitstable Week', this year running from Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th August in order to reduce days off work and encourage those who can't make weekdays to take part at the weekend. Open to visitors, the schedule for the 'week' includes a 10 race series of all-in handicap racing with 2 races per day backed by a social event every night culminating with Commodore's Cocktails and a live band on Saturday night.
The club was delighted to see strong growth in the number of boats starting races in 2024 with All-in Handicap up 56% and Lasers up 24%. Decent weather certainly helped, but the bedrock of a strong young people's programme and a busy RYA training centre appears to be delivering results. We look forward to further growth in 2025 with more enjoying some of the best sailing waters in the south-east and a club that's situated on both the seafront and the main street of a busy holiday town.
To find out more visit the club or www.wyc.org.uk/why-wyc