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Bala Sailing Club Long Distance Weekend - Preview

by Rob Sloggett 15 Apr 2023 12:06 BST 17-18 June 2023
Bala Long Distance Weekend 2022 © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Did you know that Bala Lake is a large freshwater glacial lake in Gwynedd, Wales? The River Dee, which has its source on the slopes of Dduallt in the mountains of Snowdonia, feeds the 3.7 miles long by 0.5 miles wide lake which is the home of Bala Sailing Club.

And what better to do when you have a 3.7 mile long lake at your disposal? Surely have a race that runs from one end to the other? The annual long distance race takes place over a weekend with a single race each day.

Last year's results ranged from Chris Blackburn in a Laser setting 1hr 56 mins and Andy and Cath Burfield in a spinnaker clad Mirror setting 2hrs 5 mins for a single lap each and at the other end, Paul and Jude Allen in a Nacra F18 setting 4 laps in a time of 2hrs 13 mins and Brad Gibson in a foiling Moth also completing 4 laps in 2 hrs 12 mins.

As you can see by these times, average time on water is around the two hour mark regardless of your boat type so a 1pm start on the Saturday allows entrants time to travel and rig before the start.

2022 saw 31 boats sign on with Chris Pickles and Matt Sharman (Bassenthwaite SC) picking up a second place on day one and a first place on day two to take overall honours in their RS400, closely followed by Stuart Halman and Anna Walsh (Leigh and Lowton SC) also in an RS400.

Entries can be made at webcollect.org.uk/daymembership/event/long-distance-weekend-2023 and for further information you can contact the Commodore on for any other questions. Entry for the weekend is £25 for single handed and £35 for double handed (crew) with a 50% discount on both for juniors.

Visitors have a range of camping sites nearby and the club has a large foreshore where boats can be stored over the weekends event. Access to the club is via a secure gate with access codes being provided on entry. A live band is planned for the Saturday evening along with a meal and the galley will be open all weekend providing access to breakfast, lunch and snacks after racing concludes.

Whether you have visited us before or a new visitor, we look forward to welcoming you.

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