2016 Round Hayling Island Race - Preview

The Mayor of Havant starts the 2015 Round Hayling Island Race © SailRacer

With a record advance entry and a few spaces left, the 2016 Round Hayling Island Race is all set for a great event on Good Friday 25th March. Starting from Hayling Island Sailing Club, the 14 mile circumnavigation is open to WIndsurfers, Outrigger Canoes and Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs). For those looking for a slightly easier challenge there are shorter courses within the confines of Chichester and Langstone Harbours.

For many, Hayling is considered the spiritual home of windsurfing, and the Round Hayling Island Race is a great celebration of the sport. First staged in 1980, the 14 mile circumnavigation can take anything from 60 minutes to 6 hours. Recent years have seen the inclusion of Open Canoes and Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP).

2016 sees the introduction of some great new prize categories and trophies courtesy of our generous sponsors. This year will see "The SUP Company Hayling Island Challenge Trophy" for the first SUP round the Island and a special new Trophy for anyone able to beat the record-breaking time of 2 hours 34 minutes set by Paul Simmons in 2015. Other fantastic SUP prizes have been provided by Starboard and Red Paddle.

The canoeists will be battling it out in 'The Frontier Outrigger Canoe Event', looking to win some Frontier New Wave Craft Lager from Fuller's. Last year's OC6 record of 1 hour 49 minutes was set by Pete Holiday and the team from Bournemouth Outrigger Canoe Club.

Tushingham will be sponsoring the Windsurfing Event with support from Severne.

The Kent family will again be out in force amongst the Windsurfer Fleet, with father, Rob looking to defend last year's title to make it six wins in a row. Wife Annette will be looking to defend her lady's title, but is likely to be challenged by daughters Rebecca and Emily.

For those looking to do the Round Hayling Island Challenge, but without their own craft, The SUP Company has a limited number of SUP hire packages available.

Spectators are welcome at Hayling Island Sailing Club to see the start and finishes, with a few vantage points along the course, particularly the bridge onto the Island. SailRacer will be providing GPS tracking, so friends and family can follow the race online and the competitors can replay all the action after the event.

Hayling.Sailracer.org