Dart 18 Grand Prix at Dee Sailing Club preview

Will Thompson (former crew to World Champion Gareth Owen) with Ami Johnson at the 2003 Dart open at Dee SC © Peter Newton digital photography

On 9–11 April 2004, Dee Sailing Club are hosting the first round of the UKIDA Dart 18 Grand Prix and the Dart 16 TT. The tidal estuary provides a testing racing area located close to the club with easy access for launching and retrieving. Our rescue team is well equipped and professional; they provide safety cover for the duration of the event. The race officials are experienced, adept and heavily armed. The hospitality team are warm and welcoming offering sustenance for body and soul. Dee Sailing Club is the most northerly venue on the circuit and we are proud of our hospitality and entertainment. 2003 boasted free beer on the first night! Last year also saw 50 Darts on the water with 3 Dee Sailing Club Dart 18s finishing in the top 6 positions.

We are the home of former world champion Gareth Owen, who won the event last year, by the way. Can you feel the brisk slap of leather against both cheeks as the gauntlet is flung to the floor? Care to pick up the challenge? You will be offered up to 8 races over 3 days, a party night with DJ and a late bar, live band night with DJ and late bar and on the last day, prize giving. Ooop North we like to eat, so the food is good, wholesome and plentiful. The race starts are all after midday so plenty of time to sleep off any excesses. Whatever your skill level you will be amongst peers, we had a few DSC members represented in the latter part of the fleet last year, just to keep any travelling novices company, you understand. Come and join us for this event, it is worth travelling the distance for the kudos alone. A range of accommodation is available locally and camping areas are sited close to the club. So to sum up, you get 3 days of national standard racing, warmth and hospitality and a chance to joust with the best for less than a night at the Opera, Northern value for money. Grease up the bearings on that road trailer and make the trip.

Friday 9th April
3 races – 12:30 start
Party with DJ + late bar

Saturday 10th April
3 races
Live band + dj + late bar

Sunday 11th April
2 races
Prizegiving

More information at the Dee Sailing Club website

About Dee Sailing Club:

The Dee Sailing Club sits on a cliff facing South West towards the coast of North Wales, 4.4 miles across the Dee Estuary. The River Dee begins life at Bala Lake in North Wales and travels via Llangollen and Chester to join the sea after a journey of over 90 miles. DSC nestles between Caldy golf club and the Wirral Country Park and is one of 7 active sailing clubs on the Wirral. Upholding the proud maritime heritage and tradition of the area, DSC is home to cruisers, monohulls and many catamarans. The Dart Fleet is the most active cat club north of Watford Gap.