English (UK) 
Pwllheli 10 Hour Race a resounding success
- Manylion
- Trawiadau: 618
It's been a busy year for the club so far and last weekend saw the return of Jackknife back from the transatlantic and their many adventures in Antigua and St Maarten. Crackajack returned from her adventures in the Isle of Man and Mojito were back from the south coast regattas.
Sadly, a testing Round Ireland race this year meant that some of fleet didn't manage to arrive home till just after the inaugural Pwllheli 10 hour race on Saturday. The race was perfect for racers and cruisers alike. Sandwiches and chosen beverages were packed and boats head round the circuit for 10 hours, at which point results were calculated on distance sailed and adjusted according to handicap.
Initial forecasts showing gust of up to 35kt put off many of our fleet but after a miserable start with winds briefly building to the top of a force 6, those out sailing were rewarded by a pleasant, sunny day on the water. The race took in the whole of the Tremadog bay giving many opportunities for spectators to watch the racing.
Pwllheli Sailing Club had a good view of boats at the start and at subsequent roundings of the Pwllheli Fairway buoy, then spectators at Gimblet Rock Holiday Park and along the beach had close up views of the boats as they headed round the Firmhelm marine mark 2 at the west end, before heading round the Llanbedrog headland.
South Caernarfon Yacht Club then had good views from the club house as the fleet rounded the South East and South West racing marks before returning to the Fairway and back for the next lap.
For those not keen on braving the elements for close up views, both Pwllheli Sailing Club and South Caernarfon Yacht Club set up big screens showing the trackers of all boats taking part, along with the leaderboard as it progressed.
As boats were lapped on the water, greetings were exchanged along with a friendly wave. Then, when the allotted hour was reached, everyone took photographic evidence of their position coordinates and headed back to Plas Heli for results and a hog roast joined by club members, cruisers and racers alike. All in all it was a resounding success and we are already planning next year's 10 Hour Race.
Next big event on our calendar is the Gimblet Rock Celtic Regatta including the Welsh IRC championships 4th to 6th September. With feeder races both from and to Dun Laoghaire there really is no reason not to join in the fun, whichever side of the channel you are based. Make sure you get your entries in soon at ircwelshchamps.com
For now though, our YTC summer series continues on the 4/5 July and 1/2 August, not forgetting the commodore's Pwllheli regatta on the 18th July. A chance for fancy dress, a race, a parade of boats along with the RNLI, and the possibility of a photo or two. Open to all - come and say hello and join us for fun on the water.
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for our sailors
- Manylion
- Trawiadau: 680
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for our sailors
Well where did those last two week go?
And it has been all go for our sailors.
The spring regatta was a great success, seeing racing around both CHPSC marks and SCYC marks to join the Spring regatta at Abersoch. From all reports it sounded like everyone enjoyed the event, even if there were some sore heads after the last night in the bar.
Meanwhile, on the south coast, Impetuous, Mojito, Gelert, Day Dream believer and Blue Berret Pi, all took part in the Poole IRC European Championship. Some excellent sailing by Impetuous saw them take top spot in IRC class 1. Well done everyone, it certainly highlighted the class of sailing we have here in Tremadog bay.
Back home our youth sailors were taking part in the RS Tera nationals. Well done to Tai Harrold completing in his first ever competition. Tai is also a regular in the crew of Paul&Sam Kitteringham’s Finally and I’m sure we’ll see more of Tai in the future.
This weekend saw our offshore sailors braving conditions in the Midnight race from Liverpool to Douglas. Well done to Andrew and Sam and team on Pata Negra, winning the race overall adding yet another bullet to their scores across the board on the ISORA series. They were joined in Douglas by Chris Miles and Jezebel finishing in 3rd place in class 0. In fact vewing the overall table once again shows the quality of sailing out of Pwllheli with Pata Negra at the top and Nigel Ingram’s Darling in 4th place and Paul&Sam Kitteringham’s Finally in 5th place overall.
The start of the Midnight Race - photo by Pete Ashworth
Back in the bay there are some summer races for cruisers scheduled using the YTC handicap which is free to obtain and can simply use the standard measurements for boat type. With all our IRC racers either away at regattas or offshore, this is the ideal time for cruisers to have a go. Let us know if you’d like to race and come and speak to us if you need advice.
There’s always the Tremadog Triangle too. Out from the Gimblet Rock start line and around marks 2 (sponsored by Firmhelm), 8 and 10 before back to the Gimblet Rock finish line or do it in reverse. Do it any time between April and November while our marks are laid and let us know your elapsed time and handicap and we’ll add you to the leaderboard. By the way, marks 8 and 10 can still be sponsored so get in touch if you’d like some additional advertising.
Next on our schedule is the 10hour race run in conjunction with the ISORA coastal on the 27th June. The race is based on the Southport 24hour dinghy race where boats race nonstop for the allotted time trying to make as much distance as possible. Handicaps are applied to the distance sailed and average speeds over the distance to determine the winner. It is well known as a great social event as well as a great race.
RS Tera CHPSC represented by Tai Harrold
- Manylion
- Trawiadau: 786
This week we're giving a big cheer to CHPSC youth sailor Tai Harrold, as he is representing the club in the RS Tera nationals taking place here in Pwllheli. Good luck Tai!!
16 year old Tai has been sailing with CHIPAC, the clubs youth section for 8 years, and is sailing in the Pro Tera fleet. There are over a 100 sailors entered in the national championships in two feets and make quite a stunning spectacle on the water! The event runs for three days of sailing and comprises 10-12 races, of standard and sprint courses.
CHIPAC lessons run every Friday evening, with a mixture of levels of sailors learning on the RYA pathway of sailing. A number of our past students have gone on to successfully racing and representing both Wales and the UK, whilst others have developed successful careers in the marine industry, working with organisations such as SailGP. We are currently fully subscribed but are taking names on our waiting list for the next intake.
As always we are very grateful to the club members that volunteer their time to help with both CHIPAC and our visiting events run smoothly.
Plas Heli has seen 330 sailors competing over the last 8 days with the RS Feva completing their 4 day event on Tuesday. and the RS Tera concluding on Saturday 30th May.
Spring Regatta Weekend
- Manylion
- Trawiadau: 849
As mentioned in our last racing update, the bank holiday weekend racing will be a joint racing weekend, incorporating the SCYC Spring regatta, for some great racing and socialising together.
Racing will be using the YTC handicap for cruisers rather than the usual racing handicap of IRC, so that everyone can easily join in, cruisers and racers alike. If you haven’t got a YTC cert you will need to apply - don’t worry, it’s free and doesn’t take long! If you need help, please contact us and we’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
We plan to start with a short race in Pwllheli on Saturday, starting at 12:35 (comms on VHF Ch17). After that we’ll start you on your way to Abersoch, racing from the PSC Gimblet rock start line and finishing on the SCYC finish line so you are able to pick up a mooring as soon as finished and head into the bar for results. You will need to liaise directly with SCYC for mooring allocation during the regatta.
To assist with organisation, please contact us to let us know your interest in joining the regatta and let us know which days you intend to race. We can then arrange for you to be added to the SCYC racing group (if not already in) and send you the relevant racing instructions and course details.
Please try and support this event. Whether you join the regatta for one day, the whole weekend or just one race, it is sure to be a great weekend and an opportunity to enjoy socialising with fellow sailors round at Abersoch or at Plas Heli.
'Pwllheli Harbour Dredging Update
- Manylion
- Trawiadau: 866
We are pleased to be able to share the following update:
'Pwllheli Harbour Dredging Update.
Gwynedd Council is preparing an application for a Marine Licence for dredging operations at Pwllheli Harbour.
If successful we could see a maintenance dredge in Spring 2027 and this to restore the required water depths within the harbour basin and access channels.
Dredged material would be deposited in the bay allowing for natural dispersion.
This would be the basis for regular annual maintenance dredging to provide long-term, sustainable marina and harbour management.'
CHPSC May Racing 2026
- Manylion
- Trawiadau: 925
Well done to all our sailors at the weekend.
There’s been a lot going on...
Notice to Mariners - Pwllheli Harbour Channel Entrance
- Manylion
- Trawiadau: 895
Dredging Pwllheli Harbour Channel Entrance
11th May 2026 until 20th May 2026.
Click here for the PDF copy
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