Big plans afoot to extend the appeal and reach of the Round Hayling Race in September 2018

Big plans afoot to extend the appeal and reach of the Round Hayling Race © Hayling Island Sailing Club

The annual Round Hayling Race is having a massive makeover to transform it into the Hayling Island Sailing Club Boardsports Festival with much greater reach and broader activities for all ages to enjoy. Save the date in your diary for 22nd-23rd September 2018, Hayling Island Sailing Club.

The event is being opened up to include windsurfers, SUPs and a number of the canoe classes (OC1, OC2 and OC6). The aim is for the event to appeal to both experienced competitors who relish the thrill of this iconic long-distance race, while at the same time we will have activities for the less experienced who just want to get involved in fun-based activities on their windsurfers, SUPs and canoes.

Saturday 22nd September will see a three-leg race from HISC to Langstone Bridge; Langstone Bridge to Hayling Ferry and Hayling Ferry back to HISC. Experienced competitors can complete the full circumnavigation of Hayling Island, as normal. New for 2018 will be the Relay Race Option where three-person teams can do one leg each.

Sunday 23rd September will see fun races for all windsurfers, SUPs and all types of canoes and kayaks to take place in the sheltered waters of West Mud and the HISC lagoon. The weekend will be finished off by a 'Water 'Person' Challenge' a three stage race to include swimming, SUP and windsurfing! Entries can be either by individuals or teams of three (with one person completing each leg!).

There will be prizegiving for all the events shortly after racing on Sunday afternoon.

Commenting on the exciting plans for the event, Andy Partington, Vice Commodore Sailing at HISC said, "We're hoping to make this a 'must-do' event in the boardsports fixtures list. By expanding the classes and introducing a fun day of activities on the Sunday we are hoping to attract families and teenagers to take part as well as new areas of the watersports community that we don't normally engage with. This is shaping up to be a really exciting event and we will be issuing more details in the coming months."

Dinner, party and entertainments are being hosted by Hayling Island Sailing Club and accommodation is available for early bookers! For full details and information visit: Facebook page and the HISC website