- Details
SOLWAY YACHT CLUB
Lakes and Borders for ILCA Dinghies August 23rd 2025
Solway Yacht Club invites you to join us for the Lakes and Borders ILCA Dinghy Open, offering great sailing in a setting of outstanding natural beauty.
Notice of race for these events are available HERE. Click HERE to access and book you place.
Solway Yacht Club, The Clubhouse, Kippford, Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway
DG5 4LL
Tel: 01556 620312
www.thesyc.com
- Details
SOLWAY YACHT CLUB
RNLI REGATTA AND KIPPFORD WEEK OPEN WEEK STARTS 9th August TO 14th August 2025 FOR DINGHIES - MULTIHULLS - OPEN KEELBOATS (PN 600 TO 1450 INCLUSIVE) - CRUISERS (MONO AND MULTIHULL)
Solway Yacht Club invites you to join us for our annual RNLI Regatta and Kippford Week, offering great sailing in a setting of outstanding natural beauty. Kippford Week is a family friendly series providing competitive racing and after racing social events. It attracts regular competitors from all over Scotland, England and frequently beyond.
Notice of race for these events are available HERE. Click HERE to access and book you place.
N.B. If you are having problems with any aspect of entry form a paper based entry form only is available HERE.
Solway Yacht Club, The Clubhouse, Kippford, Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway
DG5 4LL
Tel: 01556 620312
www.thesyc.com
- Details
SCOTTISH OPEN NATIONAL 12 12TH / 13TH JULY 2025
Please click HERE for the NOR
Note the event is part of both the “Old Spice” Northern and Scottish Series and the
“Witchcraft Bailer” Vintage Series
- Details
Making a welcome return to Kippford and the Solway Yacht Club, Challenger crews and their “buddies” arrived on the “Scottish Riviera” in almost Mediterranean sunshine before getting registered, rigged and ready for an early tide on Saturday. With crews coming from the Highlands, English Midlands and everywhere in between, it meant many longstanding friendships among this very special group of sailors were renewed. This annual event was sponsored by Hugh Campbell and formed part of the Scottish Challenger Traveller Series sponsored by Sir Boyd Tunnock. It also enjoyed welcome support from the Tesco Community Champions initiative locally.
Before the main event and slipping their moorings, a flotilla of the Club’s larger yachts and members set off, heading for Whitehaven for a short cruise and overnight stay. Meanwhile on the pier, briefing for the competitors by Race Officer John Broadbent over, a willing band of Solway YC helpers got the crews aboard their boats and launched. The very light Northeast wind necessitated the fleet being towed out in pairs alongside each of the safety boats against the flood tide. Once the Committee Boat was anchored on station, the Race Officer and his team had difficult decisions to make given the expectation of a sea breeze from the South. Sure enough it arrived, with a few gentle puffs but enough for a course to be set. A clean start and the Challengers led away, followed by the Club fleet starting ten minutes later. Frustrating for some but patience would be rewarded with the race being finished at one of the course buoys. So, race one of the scheduled four race series went to David Driffill from Ogston Sailing Club, with Val Millward from Rutland SC taking second.
Once the Club fleet made it to the Committee boat finish, conditions were improving, and the sea breeze was picking up when race two got underway. Another clean start in near perfect “champagne sailing” conditions had the Challenger and Club fleets enjoying great sailing. This time it was Duncan Greenhalgh from Bassenthwaite SC did the winning with Val Millward again second. No need for a tow this time, the beautiful sea breeze sped the fleet home against the ebbtide.
After an afternoon enjoying a break and the beautiful surroundings, the visitors joined many of the Club members for the “Challenging Supper” in the Village Hall, kindly made available by the Kippford Association, in recognition of the Sailability Scotland SCIO charitable event. A superb spread was laid on by Liz Train, the Social Secretary and her great team, with everyone enjoying a slap-up meal. Once thoroughly refreshed, the Club Commodore, Scott McColm, gave a presentation of a very significant clubhouse modernisation project. Without any fully accessible clubhouse facilities currently, the village hall was the only alternative available to accommodate wheelchair users. This project will refurbish the existing Gents showering and toilet facility to incorporate a fully accessible unisex changing, showering and toilet wet room within the existing building. Ian Purkis, the project lead, then described the project in detail, referring to the Architect’s drawings and describing how it is proposed to operate, giving additional safeguarding benefits. Announcing that the Club has been successful in applying for a Dumfries and Galloway Council Coastal Benefit Fund Grant, and their hugely appreciated financial support, he then invited the Commodore to sign the Grant Acceptance form to enthusiastic applause. While the detail described was not yet “cast in stone”, Ian invited those present from the disabled community to join him for feedback on the project detail to ensure it achieved their needs as best as possible. Valuable discussion then followed, rounding off a highly successful evening.
Sunday morning and again very light winds were forecast so after another briefing, launching got underway. With little certainty of much wind, a short triangular course was set and race three of the series started. The leading Challenger was round lap one in fourteen minutes, but the fickle wind was dropping, slowing both fleets so after two more laps the shortened course flag brought it to a close with Duncan Greenhalgh winning by a narrow margin over David Driffill with Val Millward close behind, third. By the time the final finisher in the Club fleet crossed the line the wind died to nothing, leaving both fleets and the committee boat wallowing around uncomfortably in the wake of a couple of passing powerboats. After a twenty-minute postponement, a few zephyrs started to show on the surface, and it seemed another sea breeze might be developing. The starting sequence commenced but more postponements, a general recall, then finally the race was restarted and while two were over the line and got individual recalls, the rest crept away, more carried by the ebb than the wind. Heading over to the East, Val Millward picked just the right course to find what little wind there was and established a clear lead. Fearful that the race might have to be abandoned, the Race Officer despatched a safety boat to finish the fleet at V buoy, North of Rough Island bringing all four races to a conclusion. Following Val home, it was an all-female top three, with Lynn Steward from Wigan and St Helens SC second and Diana Faulks, another Rutland SC sailor, third.
A tired group of sailors and helpers descended back to the village hall for very welcome teas, scones and Tunnocks Teacakes, kindly donated by Tesco Castle Douglas. Prize-giving celebrated the great achievement of the fleet, proving that almost no disability limits what can be enjoyed in our competitive sport. Val Millward was the worthy winner, with Duncan Greenhalgh second and David Drffill third overall. However, the very popular, special achievement award went to Zoe McPartlin helming in her first regatta, her first sail on the sea and only her fifth sail ever, with buddy, coach and husband Keith seated alongside her aboard their boat. Finally, commemorative Challenger Scottish Championship mugs were presented to every competitor, with two more presented to outstanding Solway YC helpers, Liz Train and Pier-master Chris Nurney.
Overall Result
| Position | Name | Club |
| 1st | Val Millward | Rutland SC |
| 2nd | Duncan Greenhalgh | Bassenthwaite SC |
| 3rd | David Driffill | Ogston SC |
| 4th | Diana Faulks | Rutland SC |
| 5th | John McPartlin | Loch Venacher SC |
| 6th | Stephen Thomas Bate | Annandale SC |
| 7th | Lynn Steward | Wigan & St Helens SC |
| 8th | Stephen Laycock | Loch Ken SC |
| 9th | Zoe and Keith McPartlin | Loch Venachar SC |
| Spring Saturday Series race 7 and (8) | Name |
| 1st (& 1st) | Toby Iglehart (ILCA6) |
| 2nd (& 2nd) | Colin Filer and Jamie Gascoigne (Flying Fifteen) |
| 3rd (& 4th) | Finlay Train (ILCA6) |
| 4th (& 3rd) | Finn Harris (ILCA6) |
| 5th (& 6th) | Stephen Gaughan and Paul Bannister (Osprey) |
| 6th (& 5th) | James Colbeck (ILCA6) |
| Spring Sunday Series races 7 and (8) | Name |
| 1st (& 2nd) | Colin Filer and Jamie Gascoigne (Flying Fifteen) |
| 2nd (& 1st) | Toby Iglehart (ILCA6) |
| 3rd (& 3rd =) | Ida Iglehart (Topper) |
| 4th (& 5th) | Stephen Gaughan and Paul Bannister (Osprey) |
| 5th (& 3rd =) | Finn Harris (ILCA6) |
- Details
Please find attached the Ministry of Defence notification update of live firing for MAY 2025. Our notification now provides information on the danger area.
Click HERE to get details.
- Details
|
Scott Train and Anne Stewart on their way to winning the Solway Yacht Club’s Easter River Races series in their immaculate Flying Fifteen (Photo: Margaret Purkis) |
Toby Iglehart concentrating hard in his ILCA6 (Photo: Margaret Purkis) |
|
Steve Gaughan and Paul Bannister (Osprey) lead Toby Iglehart early in Race 2 (Photo: Margaret Purkis) |
Coaching team of James and Katie Bishop guiding Cadets Orla and Katie to getting the best from their Pico.(Photo: Margaret Purkis) |
- Details
Solway Yacht Club’s big launch weekend 2025
After what seemed like a long winter, but with Spring sunshine warming Kippford, the Club started a very busy weekend. A large crane had arrived and with the tide filling the creek alongside the pier, the crane started lifting the larger yachts, one at a time, from their winter berths ashore back into their more natural “salty element”.
Meanwhile, the season’s dinghy racing was also getting underway out in the bay. A very light wind and calm sea meant it was a slow start but the 2024 Club and Cadet Champion, Toby Iglehart, soon showed he was intent on continuing where he left off last year. He was now sailing with an ILCA6 rig, a step up from his ILCA4 in 2024. Also in an ILCA6, Finn Harris showed he wasn’t going to make it easy for Toby giving chase in both races. Club Commodore, Scott McColm made up the top three in his Finn with Steve Gaughan and his crew, Struan Ducker, the first of the double handed boats in their Osprey.
That evening the Club launched its 2025 social programme, the evening starting with the Commodore welcoming members and guests. Ian Purkis followed, giving a short presentation on the project to upgrade the clubhouse facilities to include a fully accessible changing, showering and toilet room suitable for wheelchair users, along with other beneficial uses. Another delicious Spring Supper was then served, thanks to Social Secretary, Liz Train and her team. The formalities concluded with a fundraising raffle and invitation to members to pledge donations to the project, rounding things off.
Sunday and the action resumed. Whilst the sunshine continued there was now a stiffening, chilly breeze from the Southwest. Race Officer John Broadbent set an interesting course with two long beats. Making a welcome return, Dewi Williams joined the fleet in another ILCA6 along with Ida Iglehart in her Topper. First race of the day was particularly competitive with multiple changes of the lead. Toby Iglehart had caught the early leaders but an error at the second mark set him back quite a long way behind Finn Harris and Dewi Williams, both sailing in close company with the Osprey, the crew Struan Ducker working hard on the trapeze to control the powerful boat. Approaching the leeward mark for the first time, Dewi got it just right in the inside position with the three ILCA6s rounding together, Dewi emerging with a narrow lead. Meanwhile Ida was going steadily in her Topper further back. By the downwind leg on the final lap the Osprey had powered ahead and was seemingly heading for line honours in style but, at the final gybe mark, Steve and Struan had a spectacular capsize, dropping them from first to last on the water. This resulted in Toby, who’d now caught and passed the others taking the win with Dewi a well-deserved and popular second.
Race two on Sunday followed a similar pattern at the front with Toby making it a clean sweep, four wins out of four, demonstrating how good he is in both the light stuff and when it blows. Finn crossed the line to take second followed by the rest.
Results:
Spring Saturday Series:
1st Toby Iglehart (ILCA6)
2nd Finn Harris (ILCA6)
3rd Scott McColm (Finn)
4th Steve Gaughan & Struan Ducker (Osprey)
Spring Sunday Series:
1st Toby Iglehart (ILCA6)
2nd Finn Harris (ILCA6)
3rd Dewi Williams (ILCA6)
4th Scott McColm (Finn)
5th Steve Gaughan & Struan Ducker (Osprey)
6th Ida Iglehart (Topper)
- Details
Dear All,
ATTACHED IS A NOTICE TO MARINERS ISSUED BY RWE CONCERNING BATHYMETRIC SURVEY OPERATIONS WITHIN THE ROBIN RIGG WIND FARM.
PLEASE READ THE NOTICE
This survey will be carried out by the 14m Catamaran Survey Vessel ‘VANISHING POINT’ following pre-determined transect lines while using highly sensitive Multi Beam Echo Sounding equipment.
All mariners please note that a wide berth, of at least 500 meters, is requested at all times whenever ‘VANISHING POINT’ is on site and passing vessels are requested to reduce speed if possible.
Surveying works are expected to commence on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and continue until May, dependent on weather and conditions.
‘VANISHING POINT’ (picture on page 2 of attached notice) can be contacted either directly via standard VHF operating frequencies (Ch16 & 12), or via the Robin Rigg Control Room on the number at the top of the attached NtM
PLEASE READ THE NOTICE
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Also attached for information is the ‘Kingfisher Flyer’ which gives all of the relevant information concerning the ROBIN RIGG WIND FARM.
Please note that the ‘Flyers’ are for provided for information purposes relating to the Wind Farm only and should not be used for navigation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are unsure about any of the content of this notice or if you require any further information, also please pass this information to any of your colleagues who you think might be interested.
If you know of any fisherman who works the area and does not receive this information or anybody else who would benefit from this information please let me know.
Regards : Tom Watson
Tel……07903 173 624
https://www.thesyc.co.uk/images/SYC/Robin_Rigg/Chart-20-Robin-Rigg-23.pdf
https://www.thesyc.co.uk/images/SYC/Robin_Rigg/ROB-NTM-2025_03v1_Bathymetric_Survey.pdf
- Details
SCOTTISH OPEN CHALLENGER CHAMPIONSHIP (SOCC) 10TH / 11TH MAY 2025
Please click HERE for the Challenger NOR
Friday 9th May: Registration 19.30 – 20.30. Saturday 10th May: Late Registration 08.00
Briefing 08.30, 1st Race 0945, High Water 11.15, Challenging Dinner 19.00
Sunday 11th May – 1st Race 10.20, High Water 11.50, Prize-giving 14.45
- Details
Dear All,
ATTACHED IS A NOTICE TO MARINERS ISSUED BY RWE CONCERNING BATHYMETRIC SURVEY OPERATIONS WITHIN THE ROBIN RIGG WIND FARM.
PLEASE READ THE NOTICE
This survey will be carried out by the 14m Catamaran Survey Vessel ‘VANISHING POINT’ following pre-determined transect lines while using highly sensitive Multi Beam Echo Sounding equipment.
All mariners please note that a wide berth, of at least 500 meters, is requested at all times whenever ‘VANISHING POINT’ is on site and passing vessels are requested to reduce speed if possible.
Surveying works are expected to commence on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and continue until May, dependent on weather and conditions.
‘VANISHING POINT’ (picture on page 2 of attached notice) can be contacted either directly via standard VHF operating frequencies (Ch16 & 12), or via the Robin Rigg Control Room on the number at the top of the attached NtM
PLEASE READ THE NOTICE
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Also attached for information is the ‘Kingfisher Flyer’ which gives all of the relevant information concerning the ROBIN RIGG WIND FARM.
Please note that the ‘Flyers’ are for provided for information purposes relating to the Wind Farm only and should not be used for navigation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are unsure about any of the content of this notice or if you require any further information, also please pass this information to any of your colleagues who you think might be interested.
If you know of any fisherman who works the area and does not receive this information or anybody else who would benefit from this information please let me know.
Regards : Tom Watson
Tel……07903 173 624
https://www.thesyc.co.uk/images/SYC/Robin_Rigg/Chart-20-Robin-Rigg-23.pdf
https://www.thesyc.co.uk/images/SYC/Robin_Rigg/ROB-NTM-2025_03v1_Bathymetric_Survey.pdf