Southport's WLYC launches the 54th 24 Hour Race this weekend

West Lancs 24 Hour Race © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

West Lancashire Yacht Club's (WLYC) famous 24-Hour Race is back this weekend, 13th-14th September 2024. The 54th edition of the race once again brings Southport's Marine Lake to life, powered by the energy of sailors, volunteers and supporters who keep this unique tradition thriving.

First staged in 1967, the West Lancashire Yacht Club 24 Hour Race has become one of the great fixtures of the UK dinghy sailing calendar. After a short break, it was revived last year in style—so much so that it was crowned RYA Event of the Year. At its heart, the race is more than a test of stamina and skill: it's a festival of teamwork, resilience and community spirit.

This year, the race is even bigger, with a 25% jump in entries. A big reason is the inclusion of the Firefly class, which has sparked fresh interest from universities and student teams eager to be part of the action. The result is a fleet that mixes seasoned dinghy racers with younger crews taking on the challenge for the first time.

Of course, none of this would be possible without a huge volunteer effort. With 60+ entries, 800+ participants, 200+ volunteers from across the sailing community putting in 300+ shifts, the event today is a model of the collaborative spirit which imbues our sport. From laying the course and crewing the safety boats, to timekeeping, marshalling and keeping everything running through the night, it's a massive team effort that shows off the very best of Southport and the wider sailing community.

The race is also supported by an impressive line-up of backers: the RYA, the Firefly, GP14 and Enterprise Associations, Sefton Council, headline sponsor International, and event sponsors Marine Supplies Direct, Rooster, Harken, Allen, Sailpics, TEU and Ocean Plaza Leisure. Together with WLYC, they've helped make sure this year's event will be safe, exciting and memorable.

WLYC Commodore Richard Westlake summed it up:

"This event has always been more than a race—it's a tradition that brings sailors, families, and the community together. Without our volunteers and supporters, it simply wouldn't be possible. The WLYC 24 Hour Race showcases the very best of what sailing and Southport have to offer: teamwork, resilience, and community spirit."

The race begins at 12 noon on Saturday, 13th September and runs non-stop until 12 noon on Sunday, 14th September. With boats sailing right through the night, spectators all around the lake are guaranteed 24 hours of atmosphere, drama and plenty of action on the water.

Everyone is welcome to come along—whether you're a sailor yourself, a local looking for a great day out, or just curious to see what a 24 hour dinghy race looks like. There'll be chances to volunteer, cheer from the lakeside, or simply soak up the buzz. And with raffle proceeds going straight into youth sailing, the weekend is also helping to fund the future of the sport.

Further updates will be shared in the lead-up to the race.