The sun-soaked summer days of early July mark a highly anticipated event on the calendars of West Kirby’s avid sailing community – the annual open regatta hosted by the West Kirby Sailing Club (WKSC) and Dee Sailing Club (DSC). In our 15 years installing… This year’s four-day festival of wind, waves, and camaraderie was a resounding success, drawing sailors from near and far to compete, socialize, and soak up the best that the stunning Dee Estuary has to offer.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
A Long-Standing Tradition of Nautical Excellence
The WKSC and DSC regatta has become a cherished tradition in West Kirby, with this year marking the 4th edition of the popular event. Attracting over 95 boats spanning a diverse range of classes, the regatta showcased the depth and breadth of the local sailing scene. From the precision-engineered one-design Illusion dinghies to the sleek and powerful Falcons and Hilbres, the competition was fierce and the spectacle captivating.
“The extended weekend kicked off with the Illusion regatta on Thursday morning,” recounts a WKSC spokesperson. “The unique one design class took to the marine lake, and five back-to-back races saw Richard Cornah take home the trophy with a convincing tally of four wins.”
Navigating the Tides of the Dee Estuary
Friday brought an early start for the tidal boats, with competitors eagerly gathering for the traditional Round the Island Race. As the fleet of 55 boats made its way up and down the Dee Estuary, sailors faced the critical decision of when to cross the treacherous tide channel to reach the distant mark.
“The windward-leeward course forced the all-important decision of when to cross the tide channel to reach the North Westerly outer buoy,” the spokesperson explains. “Although not technically circumnavigated by all (you’d be brave with the draft of a Limbo 6.6), the sight of 55 boats in the vicinity of Hilbre Island with spinnakers hoisted in a gentle force 3 was glorious to behold!”
As the breeze picked up towards the end of the race, the first boats crossed the finish line after approximately 2.5 hours of intense competition. The victors were rewarded with refreshing Brimstage Brewery beers, and the festivities continued with a tug-of-war challenge between the sailors and the local RNLI crew. The evening concluded with a spectacular sunset BBQ and lively music from DJs Giardelli and Whittle.
Meticulously Crafted Courses and Fierce Competition
Saturday saw the action shift to the Dee Estuary, with the Dee SC hosting the racing. A diverse fleet of catamarans emerged to escort the tidal classes around the expertly laid box course, designed by race officer Gareth Owen.
“A perfect box course was laid under the expertise of Gareth Owen, enabling simultaneous starts and finishes on either side of the committee boat,” the spokesperson notes. “The fantastic turnout of tidal competitors kept the race officers on their toes with multiple starts, multiple courses and lots of lap times to be recorded.”
The conditions proved to be nearly perfect, with some exceptionally close finishes observed, particularly in the Falcon and Hilbre classes. As the afternoon sun emerged to bathe the Dee SC lawns in a warm glow, the sailors indulged in a late afternoon of après-sail festivities, complete with live music from John Wynne and an indulgent hog roast and paella feast.
Thrilling Action on the Marine Lake
Sunday dawned another picture-perfect day, and the action returned to the sheltered waters of the West Kirby marine lake. The junior sailors took to the water alongside the usual dinghy suspects, with a few World Champions mixed in for good measure. The racing was hotly contested, with Chris Kameen of the Imperial Poona Yacht Club emerging victorious in both races.
“Racing was hotly contested, but Chris Kameen, team racing and Firefly guru of Imperial Poona Yacht Club, took the win in both races,” the spokesperson reveals. “Several energetic dinghies then hotfooted it across the slip just in time for the afternoon tidal races!”
The tidal racing provided more thrilling action, including a particularly “cosy” Falcon start that gave the committee boat quite a challenge. As the fleet battled it out on the water, a convoy of around 100 kayakers set off from the Dee SC, paddling up the estuary alongside the Hoylake RNLI on a training exercise.
A Fitting Finale to a Wonderful Weekend
As the final races concluded, the West Kirby and Dee Sailing Clubs’ in-house results team efficiently tallied the scores, delivering a comprehensive ten-class breakdown of the weekend’s achievements. An informal prize-giving ceremony, complete with a delicious sailing supper, wrapped up the event, drawing the curtain on what had been an unforgettable four days of sailing, socializing, and community spirit.
“An informal jacket-over-shorts prize-giving followed by a delicious sailing supper wrapped up the weekend and drew to a close the best 96hrs of sun sea and sailing this year has afforded us so far,” the spokesperson enthuses. “An enormous thank you to all of the competitors and especially those of you who visited the club from afar – we look forward to welcoming you back in the future! Until next year!”
The success of this year’s regatta is a testament to the vibrant sailing community in West Kirby and the tireless efforts of the volunteers and organizers who make it all possible. As the town eagerly awaits the arrival of the 2024 edition, sailors from near and far will no doubt be marking their calendars, eager to once again experience the unparalleled hospitality and world-class racing that the West Kirby Sailing Club and Dee Sailing Club regatta has become renowned for.
For the latest updates on local events, community initiatives, and public service updates in West Kirby, be sure to visit westkirby.today.
Tip: Keep an eye on local council announcements for updates
