European Landyachting Championships 2025 at Hoylake, UK
by Nick Heather 12 Oct 14:00 BST
28 September - 3 October 2025
The 2025 European Landyachting Championships opened under grey skies and damp sand, as the tide and rain of the previous week left the beach at Hoylake wetter than ideal. Yet, despite challenging conditions, enthusiasm was undiminished as competitors from across Europe gathered for a week of high-speed sailing, camaraderie, and remembrance.
Hosted by Wirral Sand Yacht Club, the event brought together pilots in Class 2, Class 3, Class 5, and Standart yachts for a celebration of the sport — and a memorial of one of its most respected figures, Colin Padgett (K62), who sadly passed away just before the championship began.
Honouring a Champion: Colin Padgett (K62)
The 2025 Championships were dedicated to the memory of Colin Padgett, a cornerstone of the UK landyachting community. Colin began sailing at the age of 12 in 1976 and went on to become British Champion three times, representing the UK at countless international events.
Beyond his competitive success, Colin was instrumental in running both Wirral Sand Yacht Club and St Annes Landyacht Club, devoting countless hours to the sport he loved. He remained involved in organising this very championship until his passing on 23 July 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.
The event was a fitting tribute to his passion and dedication — a celebration not only of competition, but of community, friendship, and the enduring spirit of landyachting.
Welcome Back to Hoylake
Eight years had passed since Hoylake last hosted the European Championships, and the return was warmly welcomed by local supporters and the international community alike.
The organising committee — a dedicated team of more than 40 volunteers — had been working for 18 months to plan an exceptional week of racing and social events. Their meticulous preparation and unflagging commitment ensured the event ran safely and smoothly. To everyone involved, the organisers extend their heartfelt thanks: "You all know who you are — thank you."
Despite a mix of variable winds, intermittent rain, and soft sand, the event ran smoothly thanks to an experienced race team, and a flexible course setup. Pilots and visitors alike praised the atmosphere — competitive, yet relaxed and inclusive.
From Scrutineering to Speed
The opening days, Friday and Saturday, were devoted to scrutineering, measurement, and safety checks — essential for ensuring fair and secure racing. With the beach in ever-changing condition, Saturday also saw four practice sessions, giving competitors the opportunity to test the course and their setups.
Soft, waterlogged patches added an extra dimension of challenge, requiring pilots to scout the beach carefully for the fastest lines. As one participant put it, "It was like golf with ten times the bunkers and water traps."
Racing Begins
Sunday dawned with light winds and another shower. Building speed proved difficult for many, leading to a few yellow-flagged restarts, but the race directors managed to set competitive courses for all classes.
The Standart class, with its thinner wheels, found the going especially heavy, while Classes 2, 3, and 5 managed to get away and complete their races successfully.
By Tuesday, conditions had stabilised, and pilots were beginning to find their rhythm. Two separate courses — one for Classes 2/3 and one for Classes 5/Standart — allowed fair competition across the field. Consistency was key, as even the smallest lapse could see a pilot bogged down in soft sand and drop down the rankings.
Improving Conditions and Fierce Competition
As the week progressed, the wind strengthened, the beach began to dry, and racing intensified. Pilots refined their routes and tactics, with the leading contenders trading places in closely fought heats.
A shallow gully near the sea wall became a focal point for photographers — its unpredictable surface offering spectacular splashes, near misses, and dramatic jumps. For spectators, it provided some of the week's most exciting moments.
Fortunately, Friday was the final day of racing, as storm Amy came barrelling in the thought went to those traveling back to Europe on ferries. All made it back safely if somewhat battered.
A Vision for the Future
Beyond the racing, the event also looked to the future of the sport — particularly in promoting accessibility, youth participation, and international collaboration.
European pilot Jeffry Steemans, an advocate for the European Disability Card (EDC), used the event to raise awareness and strengthen connections with pilots and clubs in France and the Netherlands. Posters supporting the EDC will soon appear across Dutch clubs, including Strandzeilvereniging Terschelling.
Meanwhile, FISLY, the international federation, continues to expand its Youth Programme. Since 2024, it has hosted the International FISLY Youth Camp in Marck, France — a five-day event for young sailors aged 9-18. Participants enjoy professional coaching, safety and maintenance workshops, and hands-on sailing, all supported by FISLY and the French Federation.
Upcoming youth events include:
- 19-21 October 2025 - French and European Youth Championships, featuring over 120 young competitors.
- Early November 2025 - Mini European Championship, St. Peter-Ording, Germany.
- 2026 - World Sand Yachting Championships, also at St. Peter-Ording, where inclusion and accessibility will remain a key focus.
Developing the Next Generation in the UK
Closer to home, the UK landyachting community continues to nurture the next generation. While smaller in scale, these local efforts are vital to growing the sport. Training yachts are available, and newcomers are always welcome.
Two young pilots stood out this season in the Mini fleet: Emma Green, who has been mixing it with more experienced sailors, and Max Spears, whose rapid progress promises great things for the future.
A Lasting Legacy
The 2025 European Championships at Hoylake were more than just a week of racing — they were a heartfelt celebration of the sport's spirit, its people, and its enduring sense of community.
In every gust of wind, every turn of the wheel, and every cheer from the beach, the presence of Colin Padgett (K62) could be felt. His passion and dedication to landyachting live on in everyone who took to the sand that week — a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.
Class 2 Results:
| Pos | Country | Sail No | Forename | Surname | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Penalty | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | BELGIUM | B15 | Henri | DEMUYSERSE | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | GERMANY | G5 | Kurt | WACHKAMP | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | | 7 |
| 3 | UK | K800 | Gareth | ROWLAND | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | | 10 |
| 4 | GERMANY | G16 | Wolfgang | BARTLING | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | | 12 |
| 5 | FRANCE | F37 | Nicolas | DELEPOUVE | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | | 22 |
| 6 | BELGIUM | B165 | Kurt | VANDENBROUCKE | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 | | 23 |
| 7 | UK | K45 | Nigel | SPURR | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | | 24 |
| 8 | BELGIUM | B58 | Bram | DEGRIECK | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | | 29 |
| 9 | FRANCE | F911 | Olivier | BORET | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | 35 |
Class 3 Results:
| Place | Country | Sail No | Forename | Surname | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | FRANCE | F188 | Hugo | PERRON | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2 | FRANCE | F91 | Loic | DEMOURY | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 11 |
| 3 | NETHERLANDS | H1 | Hans‑werner | EICKSTAEDT | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 17 |
| 4 | BELGIUM | B21 | Ivan | AMEELE | 0 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 18 |
| 5 | BELGIUM | B99 | Egon | PLOVIER | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 19 |
| 6 | UK | K501 | Mark | LLOYD | 9 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 26 |
| 7 | UK | K62 | Jake | COOKSON | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 32 |
| 8 | NETHERLANDS | H585 | Antoine | DE LA FOUCHARDIERE | 10 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 44 |
| 9 | UK | K43 | Chris | WILSON | 4 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 45 |
| 10 | BELGIUM | B28 | Bert | CHRISTIAENS | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 45 |
| 11 | UK | K109 | Tim | SPEARS | 7 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 21 | 48 |
| 12 | BELGIUM | B101 | Ronny | NOLLET | 13 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 52 |
| 13 | UK | K125 | Graham | MIATT | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 63 |
| 14 | NETHERLANDS | H186 | Francois | NOUGIER | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 70 |
| 15 | BELGIUM | B40 | Jan | LEYE | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 72 |
| 16 | FRANCE | F52 | Marc | PERONNE | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 83 |
| 17 | BELGIUM | B29 | Freddy | COMPERNOLLE | 11 | 11 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 85 |
| 18 | BELGIUM | B188 | Jeffry | STEEMANS | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 89 |
| 19 | UK | K23 | Nick | HEATHER | 20 | 14 | 21 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 91 |
| 20 | UK | K199 | David | MAYES | 17 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 100 |
Class 5 Results:
| Pos | Country | Sail No | Forename | Surname | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | France | F706 | Brice | PETIT | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | France | F578 | Aurelien | MORANDIERE | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | France | F577 | Alban | MORANDIERE | 3 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | Germany | G592 | Sven | KRAJA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 |
| 5 | France | F1510 | Thomas | DUVAL | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 19 |
| 6 | France | F221 | Herve | DEHAYNIN | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 21 |
| 7 | Belgium | B426 | Marc | DEPAUW | 7 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 7 | 27 |
| 8 | Germany | G599 | Heiko | HARTMANN | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 32 |
| 9 | Germany | G513 | Emilian anthonin | HEGERFELDT | 11 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 38 |
| 10 | Germany | G427 | Stefan | GERKE | 9 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 40 |
| 11 | Germany | G606 | Helge | BENTS | 16 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 40 |
| 12 | Germany | G656 | Geske | BENTS | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 41 |
| 13 | Germany | G516 | Florian | BOCHDALOFSKY | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 44 |
| 14 | Germany | G580 | Manfred | HAUSMANN | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 52 |
| 15 | Belgium | B522 | Ronald | DE VOCHT | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 58 |
| 16 | Belgium | B59 | Bart | TEIRLYNCK | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 62 |
Standart Results:
| Pos | Country | Sail No | Forename | Surname | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Penalty | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | FRANCE | S726 | Fabrice | CHAGNON | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | | 5 |
| 2 | FRANCE | S586 | Hubert | QUEVAL | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | | 8 |
| 3 | FRANCE | S518 | Martin | ARNAUD | 3 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 5 | | 10 |
| 4 | FRANCE | S333 | David | DENUT | 7 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 22 | | 20 |
| 5 | FRANCE | S421 | Francois | GARNAVAULT | 4 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 23 |
| 6 | FRANCE | S371 | Victor | POULAIN | 2 | 6 | 31 | 8 | 8 | | 24 |
| 7 | BELGIUM | S593 | Yann | DEMUYSERE | 17 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 4 | | 29 |
| 8 | FRANCE | S222 | Remy | VARDON | 12 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 6 | | 32 |
| 9 | UK | S351 | Craig | GEORGE | 14 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 7 | | 32 |
| 10 | FRANCE | S33 | Tom | QUEVAL | 21 | 26 | 4 | 10 | 0 | | 35 |
| 11 | IRELAND | S364 | Alan | WATSON | 20 | 9 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 40 |
| 12 | FRANCE | S3 | Justine | GILLIOT | 5 | 8 | 13 | 31 | 15 | | 41 |
| 13 | BELGIUM | S771 | Dieleman | KOEN | 6 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 10 | | 43 |
| 14 | FRANCE | S60 | Bertrand | POUWELS | 10 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | | 49 |
| 15 | FRANCE | S597 | Jean | DELEPORTE | 13 | 22 | 8 | 15 | 18 | | 54 |
| 16 | BELGIUM | S762 | Arthur | VAN DAMME | 19 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 17 | | 54 |
| 17 | NETHERLANDS | S426 | Bartjan | RIETDIJK | 11 | 17 | 17 | 9 | 21 | 1 | 55 |
| 18 | NETHERLANDS | S122 | Jeroen | VAN ABSWOUDE | 8 | 20 | 21 | 11 | 23 | | 60 |
| 19 | BELGIUM | S741 | Strobbe | KOEN | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 9 | | 60 |
| 20 | IRELAND | S118 | Guillaume | JOLY | 15 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 14 | | 68 |
| 21 | BELGIUM | S758 | Hadrien | DUMONT | 24 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 12 | | 70 |
| 22 | BELGIUM | S385 | Anne | GHYESELEN | 16 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 20 | | 70 |
| 23 | FRANCE | S257 | Frederic | GONNEAU | 22 | 16 | 24 | 23 | 26 | | 85 |
| 24 | UK | S434 | Derek | GEORGE | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 19 | | 88 |
| 25 | BELGIUM | S474 | Marc | WEYN | 25 | 21 | 31 | 19 | 24 | 1 | 90 |
| 26 | IRELAND | S228 | Sean | DOHERTY | 27 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 28 | | 101 |
| 27 | IRELAND | S261 | Paul | RUIGROK | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | | 104 |
| 28 | UK | S427 | Darren | RHYS | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | | 105 |
| 29 | IRELAND | S505 | Martin | HAMPSHIRE | 31 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 31 | | 115 |
| 30 | IRELAND | S219 | Colman | BILLINGS | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | | 124 |
Team Results:
Class 2:
1st BELGIUM 55
2nd FRANCE 59
3rd UK 74
4th NETHERLANDS 97
Class 3:
1st BELGIUM 82
2nd FRANCE 98
3rd UK 103
4th NETHERLANDS 131
Class 5:
1st BELGIUM 17
2nd FRANCE 86
3rd UK 147
Standart:
1st FRANCE 23
2nd BELGIUM 126
3rd IRELAND 209
4th UK 225
5th NETHERLANDS 239