Entries open for annual Round Hayling Windsurf Race
by Sarah Johnson 4 Apr 2014 09:47 BST
18 April 2014
Entries open for annual Round Hayling Windsurf Race © Peter Bannister
Entries are now open for the popular Round Hayling Island Windsurf event which takes place on Friday 18th April 2014. There is also a Stand Up Paddleboard and OC1 Challenge for both rigid and inflatable classes with a variety of courses to suit all standards.
This exciting event was first staged in 1980, co-founded by Peter Williams and Hayling Island Sailing Club member Steve West and at its peak attracted as many as 500 entries. Its popularity waned in part due to its success, becoming too big to administer, but HISC re-launched the event 5 years ago and it has been steadily attracting over 100 entries ever since.
Starting from Hayling Island Sailing Club, competitors are required to sail through four gates (close to Northney, the Ferry Boat Inn, the Inn on the Beach and HM Coastguard) a distance of approximately 13 miles. The racing can take anything from 60 minutes to 6 hours depending on the conditions on the day.
Hayling Island Sailing Club and a large number of volunteers provide safety cover all around the course as well as a number of pick up points on land for those wishing to retire.
The SUPs are set a variety of courses within the Harbour and compete in 3 back to back races.
Full details about the event including the Notice of Race is available on the HISC website at www.hisc.co.uk/sailing-racing/open-events/windsurf-round-hayling-island