Details

Published: 18 August 2025

Solway Yacht Club’s Kippford RNLI Regatta and Kippford Week 

With a strong entry from sailors from around the UK, it was particularly pleasing to have many recent SYC Cadets moving up to the faster fleets, along with one GP14 crew from Sweden and Australian visitors, all arriving to enjoy great sailing on the “Scottish Riviera”. After Cadet Week when the tides were early, Kippford Week followed a fortnight later with late tides. Initially poor, the weather forecast was improving as the week progressed.

Caption: RNLI Regatta start from the start hut on Saturday for the cruiser fleet (Photo Duncan Gillespie)	Caption: RNLI Regatta start from the committee boat on Tuesday for the dingy fleet (Photo Duncan Gillespie)	Caption: RNLI Regatta start from the start hut on Saturday for the cruiser fleet (Photo Duncan Gillespie)

RNLI Regatta Cruisers Race:
This year the RNLI Regatta Race was unusually planned for the first day before Kippford Week, and with local radio promoting the event, everything was set for a great day on the water. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas with the forecast strong winds putting everything in doubt. Sure enough, Saturday dawned very unsettled with gusts of over 30 knots so Principal Race Officer (PRO), Willie Patterson, decided it was only safe to run a race for the larger cruising yachts within the more sheltered River Urr Estuary. The dinghy fleet was stood down leaving it to just five cruisers taking to the start, others deciding the conditions were not for them. Nevertheless, a close race followed with all five never far apart, line honours going to Fiona and Gordon Blandford in their Hawk 20 but with the NHC handicapping applied, Gary, Avril and Katherine Arkley in another Hawk were declared the winners. To ensure the Regatta Race was still run for the dinghies, a race later in the week would be nominated as the dinghies’ RNLI race.

Caption: Varnish still tacky! James Bishop and Alex Lammie in James’ just refurbished Fireball (Photo Finlay Train)	Caption: Overall winners of HCP1 Fleet, Scott train and Anne Stewart Flying Fifteen (Photo: Margaret Purkis)	Caption: “Posers” of the week, Alex Noble and Huw Williams! (Photo: Finlay Train)

Kippford Week:
On Sunday, the main sailing week series got underway and in now near perfect conditions, a large and varied fleet took to the water, having a brisk sail out to the Committee Boat and the start line. A special two-minute silence was held before the first race in memory of the late Lindsay Tosh, a hugely popular and highly respected past commodore of the Club and previous Kippford Week PRO. Once the signal for the end of the silence sounded, the starting sequence started with the fast handicap (HCP1) fleet including the Flying Fifteens going first, slower handicap (HCP2) next and third, the now full turn-out of the cruiser fleet. Race one had the HCP1 fleet on the two long laps out between Castle Point and White Port Bay while the HCP2 fleet were on a shorter course. Meanwhile the cruisers were further out into the Solway. HCP1 winner was the Flying Fifteen of Scott Train and Anne Stewart with Ian Holden and Peter Nelson second in their RS400, while Hamish and Sally Mackay in their Laser 2000, rather cheesily renamed “Acturrly Ourr Lazurr”, won HCP2. Race two and both HCP fleets sailed the shorter courses, and again the Scott Train / Anne Stewart crew won HCP1, but this time Andrew and Liz Bell in their Albacore were second with the Mackays again winning HCP2. The one Cruiser race went to Richard Carson with his crew of Ian Coke and Lewis Carson in another Hawk 20.

Day two and light winds beckoned with warm sunshine. With a few needing a tow out to the Committee Boat, there were repeat HCP1 wins for Scott and Anne’s Flying Fifteen, Ian Holden and Pete Nelson having another second in their RS400. Hamish and Sally’s Laser 2000 won the first race in HCP2 but were beaten into second by 2024 Club and Cadet Champion Toby Iglehart’s ILCA 6 in the second race of the day. The Cruisers race was again won by the Carson crew.

Caption: John Searle and Gareth Jones with a big lead on the water (Photo: Finlay Train)	Caption: one of the Hawks going steadily (Photo Finlay train)	Caption: All the winners, Kippford Week 2025 (Photo: Nicola McColm)

Tuesday was nominated as the replacement day for the dinghies’ RNLI race, but it would also count as one of the main Kippford Week series. An additional boat that had only entered the Regatta race joined the main fleet, particularly welcome as entry fees for this annual race are always donated to the Kippford RNLI. In warm sunshine and light winds, the fleet had a rather slow but no less competitive race with boats ghosting round the course with frequent position changes while crews searched out the patches of wind round the bay. Once again, the Flying Fifteen of Scott and Anne sailed where they found the wind to win in HCP1, with the HCP2 race going to the Mackays. The cruisers found it tricky sailing in the light stuff with only four finishers, the race going to Gary and the Arkley family crew.

Back to two races on Wednesday with a pleasant breeze in more warm “Riviera” sun. By now the Train / Stewart Flying Fifteen was dominating the HCP1 fleet with back-to-back wins, although the other “podium” places were being closely contested. HCP2 fleet was getting competitive with John Broadbent and Louise Allen getting their first win of the week in the trusty GP14. Nevertheless, it was back to winning ways for Hamish and Sally in the second HCP2 race of the day. In the Cruisers’ race it was a first win for Angus Campbell and crew, Anna Dawson and Christine Smith in yet another Hawk.

Onto Thursday and the now very late tide meant just one race to round off the series. To complete their clean sweep, Scott and Anne’s Flying Fifteen was again superbly sailed to the hugely deserved HCP1 series win. The final HCP2 race was again won by the Mackay father and daughter crew with the final cruiser race going to Fiona and Gordon, their Hawk getting a well-deserved first handicap win. 

Caption: Callum McRobert, best under 15 Cadet, with Club Commodore, Scott McColm (Photo: Nicola McColm)	Caption: Sue Frayling-Cork (nee Rickerby) presented Gordon Daly with “Sue’s Spoon” trophy in company of Scott Train, SYC Commodore (Photo: Nicola McColm)	Caption: Commodore Scott McColm presents Fiona Blandford with the greatest contribution trophy, keeping the bar stocked and much more, including sailing! (Photo: Nicola McColm)

That was the sailing, but Kippford Week is famous for its superb social events. Sunday night was the traditional Commodore’s Reception with a superb buffet and great socialising with friends old and new. Monday a very well supported quiz and Tuesday the barbecue and games, many enjoying the balmy evening on the club lawn until late. Wednesday was “Race Night” with several helms and crews bravely trading boats for, and “riding”, miniature wooden racehorses. Race wins went to jockeys with familiar faces but very unfamiliar names, not least “Thunderpants”, culminating in a closely contested, raucously supported final! 

After sailing on Thursday, it was the serious business of the Prizegiving. With the Club’s stunning collection of silverware going to the winners along with commemorative prizes, there were the special trophies and prizes for the best SYC Cadet, Toby Iglehart; the best u15 Callum McRobert; the outstanding performance, Scott Train; the best presented boat, the beautiful 1956 built Firefly of Alex Cleaver; Fiona Blandford for her greatest contribution of the week, and not forgetting Alex Noble and Huw Williams, “posers” of the week in their Dart 18, thanks to them speeding around everywhere but rarely where the course intended! 

Finally, there was a special new trophy, “Sue’s Spoon”. After a chance meeting with past Commodore Ian Purkis, Sue (nee Rickerby) had been welcomed back to the Club last year after an absence of more than sixty years. She’d sailed with her father Joe in the 1950s and had only ever won a silver teaspoon with the Club’s enamel burgee on the handle, donated to the Club last year. For 2025, it had been incorporated onto a new solid yew wood model yacht trophy to be presented to the most senior helm of the week. In graciously accepting the award, Flying Fifteen helm Gordon Daly claimed to be twenty-five years old with another sixty years’ experience and recalled how he too had enjoyed sailing with Sue’s father back then. 

Caption: Winners of the cruiser fleet, Richard Carson and Ian Coke (Photo: Nicola McColm)	Caption: Overall winners of the Handicap 1 fleet, Scott Train and Anne Stewart with Commodore Scott McColm (Photo: Nicola McColm)	Caption: Cruisers are off (Photo Duncan Gillespie)

KIPPFORD RNLI REGATTA RESULTS:
Handicap 1 (HCP1)
1st Scott Train and Anne Stewart (Flying Fifteen)
2nd Graham Young (RS Aero)
3rd Steve Gaughan and Beatrice Overend (Osprey)
4th Ian Holden and Pete/Nicola Nelson (RS400)
5th Andrew and Liz Bell (Albacore)
6th Andrew Johnson and Anna Milne (Flying Fifteen)
7th Keith Veasey (Finn)
8th Claire Stewart and Ellie Young (RS200)
9th John Sproat and Chris Nurney (Flying Fifteen)
10th Scott McColm (Finn)
11th Katie Bishop and Nicola McColm (RS400)
12th Gordon Daly and Jamie Gascoigne (Flying Fifteen)
13th Ellie Rowand and Lilli Bell (Fireball)
14th James Bishop and Alex Lammie (Fireball)
15th Katie Harris and Tamsin Wallace (RS200)
16th Alex Noble and Huw Williams (Dart 18)

HCP2
1st Hamish and Sally Mackay (Laser 2000)
2nd Toby Iglehart (ILCA6)
3rd Simon Roberts (ILCA7)
4th Alex Cleaver and Emma Fairhurst (Firefly)
5th Tony and Peter Bamforth (GP14)
6th Anna Griffin (ILCA6)
7th Hamish MacDonald (ILCA6)
8th Simon Wilson (ILCA6)
9th John Broadbent and Louise Allen (GP14)
10th Finn Harris (ILCA6)
11th Mark Lewis and Joe Barnes (GP14)
12th James Colbeck (ILCA6)
13th Grant MacDonald (ILCA6)
14th Callum McRobert (ILCA6)
15th Emma Lane (ILCA6)
16th Grant MacDonald (ILCA6)
17th Ida Iglehart and Elise Reilly (RS Feva XL)

Cruisers (NHC Handicap)
1st Gary, Avril and Katherine Arkley (Hawk 20)
2nd John Searle and Gareth Jones (Pegasus 800)
3rd Ronnie Coutts and Mark Harris (Sadler 29)
4th Richard Carson, Ian Coke and Lewis Carson (Hawk 20)
5th Fiona and Gordon Blandford (Hawk 20)

KIPPFORD WEEK RESULTS:
Handicap 1 (HCP1)
1st Scott Train and Anne Stewart (Flying Fifteen)
2nd Ian Holden and Pete/Nicola Nelson (RS400)
3rd Andrew and Liz Bell (Albacore)
4th Graham Young (RS Aero)
5th Andrew Johnson and Anna Milne (Flying Fifteen)
6th Keith Veasey (Finn)
7th Steve Gaughan and Beatrice Overend (Osprey)
8th Scott McColm (Finn)
9th John Sproat and Chris Nurney (Flying Fifteen)
10th Katie Bishop and Nicola McColm (RS400)
11th Katie Harris and Tamsin Wallace (RS200)
12th Ellie Rowand and Lilli Bell (Fireball)
13th Claire Stewart and Ellie Young (RS200)
14th James Bishop and Alex Lammie (Fireball)
15th Finlay Train and Hannah Davison (RS200)
16th Alex Noble and Huw Williams (Dart 18)
17th Matt Murray-Downing (Contender)
18th Doug Dinwiddie and Olivia Cleaver (RS400)
19th Richard and Emily Colbeck (Buzz)
20th Gordon Daly and Jamie Gascoigne (Flying Fifteen)

Handicap 2 (HCP2)
1st Hamish and Sally Mackay (Laser 2000)
2nd Toby Iglehart (ILCA6)
3rd Simon Roberts (ILCA7)
4th Stephen Brisley (ILCA7)
5th Tony and Peter Bamforth (GP14)
6th Finn Harris (ILCA6)
7th John Broadbent and Louise Allen (GP14)
8th Alex Cleaver and Emma Fairhurst (Firefly)
9th Anna Griffin (ILCA6)
10th Hamish MacDonald (ILCA6)
11th Mark Lewis and Joe Barnes (GP14)
12th Simon Wilson (ILCA6)
13th James Colbeck (ILCA6)
14th Lucy Geffray (ILCA6)
15th Callum McRobert (ILCA6)
16th Ian Briggs (ILCA6)
17th Emma Lane (ILCA6)
18th Ida Iglehart and Elise Reilly (RS Feva XL)
19th Grant MacDonald (ILCA6)
20th Aleksei Wishart (Laser Pico) 

Cruisers (NHC Handicap)
1st Richard Carson, Ian Coke and Lewis Carson (Hawk 20)
2nd Gary, Avril and Katherine Arkley (Hawk 20)
3rd Angus Campbell, Anna Dawson and Christine Smith (Hawk 20)
4th John Searle and Gareth Jones (Pegasus 800)
5th Fiona and Gordon Blandford (Hawk 20)
6th Ronnie Coutts and Mark Harris (Sadler 29)
7th Neil and Heather McCormack (Sunfast 20)

A very special Clubs’ Commodore; the late Lindsay Tosh’s final voyage.

Caption: Alicat at anchor while members of Lindsay Tosh’s family prepare to scatter his ashes and drop their flowers onto the sea; two of the members' flotilla boats nearby. (Photo: Margaret Purkis)

Caption: Solway Yacht Club (SYC) and Annandale Sailing Club (ASC) Commodores past and present. Left to right, John Broadbent (SYC), Ian Purkis (SYC), Willie Patterson (ASC), Stewart Biggar (SYC), Scott Train (SYC), Robert Dinwiddie (with flag, SYC) Maureen Scott (SYC), Trudie Mitchell (current ASC Commodore), Tony Bamford (ASC), Elaine Ross (ASC), Carol Beattie (ASC), Stephen Hinton Smith (ASC) and Scott McColm (current Commodore SYC) (Photo: John Sproat)

After all the racing was over for another year’s Kippford Week and the Kippford RNLI Regatta, a large number of members of both the Solway Yacht Club and Annandale Sailing Club got together in Kippford for a final farewell to Lindsay Tosh. He was a highly respected and popular member and uniquely had served as Commodore of BOTH in years past. Being highly active in the life of both clubs, on the water, as well as sailing, he’d been Principal Race Officer for many Open and Club events. Off the water he'd served the clubs in various other capacities, providing huge assistance and support to other Flag Officers and Committee members. 

It was his final wish to have his ashes scattered onto the sea off Kippford with members of his family and both clubs present, including as many previous Commodores as possible, as well as the two current ones. With three generations of the Tosh family aboard the Solway Yacht Club’s big catamaran Alicat a whole flotilla left the Club pontoon in a respectful convoy, several under sail, most motoring out into the bay off Glenn Isle, many more watching from ashore. With Alicat anchored and when family members were ready, Lindsay’s ashes were scattered onto a calm sea in glorious summer sunshine. The ashes were followed by sunflowers and roses dropped in by family members, drifting out to sea on the ebb tide.

Back ashore, afternoon tea was served in the Solway Yacht Club’s clubhouse so everyone could meet Jacquie, her and Lindsay’s daughter Rosslyn, son Murray and all their families. 

Farewell to Lindsay, you’re greatly missed by everyone and will never be forgotten. Thank you from us all.

Details

Published: 29 July 2025

Caption: Anastasia Yaoyao, top female helm finished 4th overall in HCP1 (Photo Finlay train)	Caption: Overall winner in fast handicap fleet, Finn Harris going well (Photo Finlay Train)	Caption: HCP1 race start; very close and competitive (Photo: Finlay Train)

Cadet Week 2025; great fun learning and the closest of competition across the racing fleet

With an unusually late Tuesday start, necessitated by tide times, almost seventy young people gathered at the Solway Yacht Club for the annual Cadet Week. Monday was spent with onshore activities before the evening briefing covering the activities afloat to follow. Cadet Officer Jo Harris led the session while Training Officer, Emma McRobert, introduced the Senior Instructor, young James Bishop, supported by his team of Dinghy Instructors, nearly all of whom had been SYC Cadets themselves in recent years. It was then the turn of the four Cadet Captains to stand up for introduction. All fifty plus Cadets were divided into teams, led by their Cadet Captain, for fun on and off the water but also to ensure their needs were being met, particularly acting as role models for the younger ones.

Caption: Senior Instructor, James Bishop (far left) with other instructors and successful  Cadets with the completed RYA certificates and log-books. (Photo Nicola McColm)	Caption: Cadet Officer Joanne Harris presents Ida Iglehart with her HCP3 trophy after her clean sweep winning every race in her Topper (Photo Nicola McColm)	Caption: Finn Harris presented with his overall HCP1 trophy by Cadet Officer, Joanne Harris assisted by Commodore Scott McColm (Photo Nicola McColm)

As in previous years, Cadets were gathered in six groups ranging from absolute beginners (the red caps), year two beginners, (the burgundy caps), next the improvers, (the white caps), then the coached racers (the blue caps) and leading to the year 1 & 2 racers (the black caps), finally the green caps, the third year plus, the “out and out” experienced racers. The value of the Club’s progression scheme is immediately obvious when nearly all the racers had been trained and coached through the various ability levels over previous years. 

With an early start on Tuesday, the black and green caps set off to the race area out in the bay while others started or resumed their training from previous years. In near perfect weather, warm but not hot, a 15mph wind, and bright skies, Race Officer Stewart Biggar set a figure of eight course and the serious business got underway. Elsewhere capsize drill was demonstrated before trainees ventured out under sail.

Caption: The cadets were the stars of the show, but these are the three who made it all possible: Cadet Officer Joanne Harris (left) with Commodore Scott McColm and training Officer, Emma McRobert (Photo Nicola McColm)	Caption: 2025 Cadet Week Trophy Winners on the lawn after their prize giving. (Photo: Nicola McColm)	Caption: The Red Caps, complete beginners training starts ashore (Photo:: Nicola McColm)

Out in the bay, the racers were having their own private battles, fast handicap (HCP1) leaders Finn Harris and Toby Iglehart were in close contention throughout, first one, then the other ahead. At the final turning buoy, it was Finn who got the better and led to win race 1. Further down multiple rivalries were being played out leading to exciting racing throughout the fleet. Race two was similar, again with Finn getting the win. The first and second medium handicap (HCP2) races were won by Lucy Leyshon and Katie Brown respectively, with both slow handicap (HCP3) wins going to Ida Iglehart.

Day two and similar near ideal conditions had the competition resume. In a reversal of fortunes, Toby got the wins in both races in the HCP1 with Finn second. In HCP2, Thomas McKendrick won race three, Lucy having to settle for second but restored her winning ways with Jess Brown second in Race four.

The evening highlight was the annual Cadet Dinner with participants dressed in their finest, served by the Club’s Flag Officers. Once the meal was cleared away, caller Ross Kennedy led another great Ceilidh ensuring dancing and fun until time was called to end a great day.

Caption: Basic instruction afloat, Dinghy Instructor Katie Bishop and Assistant Instructor Scott Train with two Red Caps (Photo Nicola McColm)	Caption: Year 2 (Burgundy Cap) trainee going very nicely (Photo Nicola McColm)	Caption: White Caps (Improvers) getting to grips with rounding a buoy (Photo Nicola McColm)

With the TV camera present on Thursday, James Bishop, the Senior Instructor, and two more young instructors, Sally Mackay and Katie Harris, were interviewed while the fleet was busy getting rigged. With safety boats on the water, launching started, then short tacking out against the flood tide to the race area was all caught on film. This was the day of the single Scauronian long distance race and Toby Iglehart reestablished his winning run while Finn Harris had to settle for second. In HCP2 Katie Brown got the win with Lucy Leyshon second, while in HCP3 Ida maintained her 100% wins record so far with Murray McKendrick second again.

In contrast to the previous evening’s formalities, it was “Mudlarks” night. Low water had the mudbanks and gulleys all exposed as fifty Cadets, instructors and even a few slightly reluctant Club officers took to the mud for tug o’ war, capture the flag and more. A great Solway YC Cadet Week tradition where enthusiasm (and the mud) never wavers!

Back to the sailing, coaching and instruction and the battle between Toby and Finn in HCP1 couldn’t have been closer. Toby won the first race of the day, Finn second. Race two and again placings reversed. In HCP2, Katie Brown won the first race, but Thomas McKendrick got his first win of the week in the second. Ida continued her dominance in HCP3.

While all this had been going on, the Blue Caps (Coached Racers) had been developing their race craft under the guidance of Pip Benson, herself a highly experience racing sailor. They had been holding their own series of races with Abi Farrel winning three times and Alex Andrews and Marissa Farrel winning the second race of the series. Similarly, the Red and Burgundy caps had been learning the ropes and building their confidence every day, thanks to their instructors and assistants. 
 
The final day and still everything to race for in both HCP 1 and 2. With only one race, the battle between Toby and Finn was as close as ever; whoever won the race, won the week. When it really mattered, Finn got the win and so congratulations to him. In HCP2 while Katie Brown was only third in the final race, her three wins earlier got her the overall HCP2 fleet win. Jess Brown came good and won the final race, giving her fourth overall and with all four of the top sailors getting one or more wins, HCP2 was the most widely competitive fleet. While Ida had already won HCP3, she completed her clean sweep, winning every race during the whole week.

During the week, the Blue Caps (coached racers) had their own races from the Committee Boat giving them race starting and tactics experience. On the final day, the White Caps too, (the Improvers) had several short races run from the Club Race Officer’s Box, “The Starting Hut”, teaching them the starting procedure and signals, adding to their experience.

Caption: The Black and the Green caps; the racers! (Photo: Finlay Train)	Caption: James Bishop, Senior Instructor, being interviewed by Sandy McCracken of Border Television while cameraman Mike gets it all recorded. (Photo Finlay Train)	Caption: Glorious Kippford evening with the delights of “Mudlarks”! Tug o’ War about to start! (Photo Finlay Train)

Racing fleets results: (Green caps and Black caps) 

Handicap 1 (All ILCA 6 boats)
1st Finn Harris
2nd Toby Iglehart
3rd Murray Wilson
4th Anastasia Yaoyao
5th James Colbeck
6th Callum McRobert
7th Connor Rennie
8th Jack Johnstone

Handicap 2 (All ILCA 4 boats)
1st Katie Brown
2nd Lucy Leyshon
3rd Thomas McKendrick
4th Jess Brown
5th Breagha Johnstone
6th Callum McRobert (changed to HCP1 after two races)

Handicap 3
1st Ida Iglehart (Topper)
2nd Murray McKendrick (Topper)
3rd Maria McMiken and Hannah O’Dwyer (RS Feva XL)
4th Elise Reilly and Frazer McFadzean (RS Feva XL)

Blue Caps Coached Racers Short Series
1st Abi Farrel (ILCA 6)
2nd Alexander Andrews and Marissa Farrel (RS Feva XL)
3rd Liam McMiken (Topper)
4th Henry Farrant (Pico)
5th Heidi Farrel & Charlotte Andrews (RS Feva XL)
6th Lachlan Ross (Pico)
7th Darcy Gibson and Abbie McRobert (RS Feva XL)

White Caps (Improvers) Races
Race winners: Thomas Barton and Lucy Johnstone, 
Lili Cowan, 
Eddie Carter and Lacy Paterson

Racers: Leah Malloy, Thomas Farrant, Caitlin Ferrier, Elsbeth Dorian, 
Katie Gascoigne, Erin McKendrick, Oliver Bell, Clementine Greaves, 
Bertie Carter and Orla O’Dwyer.

Details

Published: 25 July 2025

Please find attached the Ministry of Defence notification update of live firing for August 2025. Our notification now provides information on the danger area.

Click HERE to get details.

Details

Published: 15 July 2025

In the heat of competition: Solway Yacht Club’s National 12 Open and Club racing!

The National 12 leaders in close company (Photo: Margaret Purkis)	Very close company! The vintage boat of Angus Beyts and Phil Wherry on Port tack ducks under the stern of eventual winners, Tim and Chris Hampshire holding their course on Starboard. (Photo Margaret Purkis)	Winners, Tim and Chris Hampshire concentrating hard (Photo Margaret Purkis)

With hot mediterranean conditions beckoning, several visiting crews arrived in Kippford on Friday night with the promise of a weekend of close racing in almost tropical heat. Before the boats were even rigged, all were in for a treat as Phil Wherry presented the hosts and visitors with the National 12 cake, made by his wife Sarah who, unable to join the party, had decided it was just what was needed to launch the event.

Saturday and the incoming tide had the fleet rigged and ready along with a great turnout of other crews from both the home club and nearby Annandale SC, many of them young sailors getting race practice in ahead of the Solway YC Cadet Week.
Race One and with only a light Southerly breeze, Race Officer Chris Nurney set a long course out into the bay. The N12s were away first without the N12 home Club crews, Ian and Margaret Purkis, and Jane and Katie Gascoigne, unfortunate non-starters. The Saturday series Club fleet followed but as the leaders reached the windward mark, just off Almorness Point, the light wind dropped even lighter, barely keeping the boats moving as they headed North to complete one long lap. Of the N12s Tim and Chris Hampshire got the win but going really well in his much older vintage boat, Angus Beyts and Phil Wherry got a well-deserved second. The Club fleet was led home by Scott Train and crew Anne Stewart with Steve Gaughan and crew Paul second over the finish.

Winners Tim and Chris Hampshire presented with their prizes by Margaret Purkis (Photo: Scott Train)	Angus Beyts and Phil Wherry third overall and vintage winners presented with their prizes by Margaret Purkis (Photo: Scott Train)	National 12 winners with Race Officer and guests (Photo: Scott Train)

Race two and with a much shorter course set, the order was reversed for the N12s and now it was Philip David and crew Mike Adlen who took the win but again, Angus and Phil got a strong second, the vintage boat going better than ever. This resulted in a three-way points tie for the lead going into day two. In the club fleet and after handicap corrections, Finn Harris had won the day in is ILCA 6

For Saturday evening, Social Secretary Liz Train had lined up another of the Club’s famous barbecues, courtesy of chief barbecue chef Willie Patterson! Complimented by salads, desserts and a busy bar, it rounded off a great club day.

Sunday dawned with the promise of another scorcher but with more wind forecast it was looking good. However, the wind direction had changed to North Easterly making for tricky decisions by the Race Committee. With no choice but to set a less-than-ideal course, race three for the N12s got underway followed by the Club Sunday series. This time the Hampshire crew reestablished their previous place at the front, winning with the David/Adlen crew second. In the Club race, Train and Stewart took another win from Colin Filer and Jamie Gascoigne, both crews sailing Flying Fifteens

The final race had a third win in the N12s for the Hampshires, giving them the open meeting win overall with the David/Adlen crew second. The second Club race had a great win for current Cadet and Club Champion Toby Iglehart in his ILCA6, back in the fray after holiday absence. Younger sister Ida was also showing many the way in her Topper, leading several of the ILCA6s on the water for much of the race.

Finn Harris (ILC6 221631) takes an early lead in the Saturday series races (Photo: Margaret Purkis)	A while fleet of ILCA / Lasers mixing it with a couple of the bigger boats (Photo Margaret Purkis)	Finn Harris 221631 and Toby Iglehart 173486 in close racing with a couple of the bigger boats and a 4.7 (Photo Margaret Purkis)

Rounding off the day, prizes for the N12s were presented by Margaret Purkis, wife of N12 Class Chair, Ian with a special guest and former N12 sailor Simon Martin from Craster, 
Northumberland, who promised to bring kippers for prizes next year! The Club races count towards overall series results so more to sail for next time.

Results:
National 12 Open.
1st N3502 Tim and Chris Hampshire (Ripon Sailing Club)
2nd N3499 Philip David and Mike Adlen (Yorkshire Ouse and Annandale Sailing Clubs)
3rd N2153 Angus Beyts and Phil Wherry (Newburgh and Teesdale Sailing Clubs)
Non-Starters: N1483 Ian and Margaret Purkis, and N1620 Jane and Katie Gascoigne (Solway Yacht Club)

Club racing Saturday series after two races:
1st Finn Harris (ILCA6)
2nd Scott Train and Anne Stewart (Flying Fifteen)
3rd Simon Wilson (ILCA6)
4th Colin Filer and Jamie Gascoigne (Flying Fifteen)
5th Finlay Train (ILCA6)
6th Murray Wilson (ILCA6)
7th Stewart Biggar (ILCA4)
8th Lucy Leyshon (ILCA4)
9th Katie Bishop and Nicola McColm (RS400)
10th Katie Brown (ILCA4)
11th Steve Gaughan and crew Paul (Osprey)
12th Anastasia Yaoyao (ILCA6)
13th Jess Brown (ILCA4)
14th Unidentified helm (ILCA6)
15th James Bishop and crew Noa (Fireball)

Club racing Sunday series after two races:
1st Scott Train and Anne Stewart (Flying Fifteen)
2nd Finn Harris (ILCA6)
3rd Colin Filer and Jamie Gascoigne (Flying Fifteen)
4th Toby Iglehart (ILCA6)
5th Stewart Biggar (ILCA4)
6th Lucy Leyshon (ILCA4)
7th Ida Iglehart (Topper)
8th Murray Wilson (ILCA6)
9th John Broadbent and Oliver Wilson (GP14)
10th Katie Brown (ILCA4)
11th Anastasia Yaoyao (ILCA6)
12th Steve Gaughan and crew Paul (Osprey)
13th Jess Brown (ILCA4)

Details

Published: 13 June 2025

Please find attached the Water Space Management (Ministry of Defence) notifications update of live firing during 2025. Our notification now provides information on the danger area.

Click HERE to get February details.

Click HERE to get May details.

Click HERE to get July details.

Details

Published: 11 June 2025

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

Published: 11 June 2025

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

Published: 14 May 2025

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

Details

Published: 04 May 2025

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

Published: 24 April 2025