International Paint Poole Regatta 2026 Announces Poole Lifeboat Station as Official Charity Partner

International Paint Poole Regatta 2026 Announces Poole Lifeboat Station as Official Charity Partner © RNLI

The International Paint Poole Regatta is proud to announce Poole Lifeboat Station as its official charity partner for the event, scheduled from 22-25 May 2026. The popular regatta, which in 2026 will additionally host the IRC European Championship, is poised to attract multiple racing classes and sailors from across the UK, Europe, and beyond.

Poole Lifeboat Station, has been an integral part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) since 1865, with its volunteers helping to save countless lives within Poole Harbour and out along the scenic Jurassic Coast. Over the past 160 years the lifeboat station has launched lifeboats more than 7346 times, rescuing over 800 lives.

Located on the historic Poole Quay and operating from a floating boathouse, Poole Lifeboat Station currently operates two inshore lifeboats and is among the RNLI's busiest coastal stations, averaging over 140 launches per year.

The station thrives thanks to its dedicated team of volunteers, part of over 5,600 volunteer crew members and more than 3,700 shore crew assisting the RNLI as a whole across the UK and Ireland. The Poole Regatta committee are delighted to make it the Official Charity Partner and play a small part in keeping it running 24/7, 365 days a year as a key asset for Poole.

Poole Lifeboat Station volunteer Helm Jonathan Clark said, "We are honoured to be selected as the official charity partner for the 2026 International Paint Poole Regatta and deeply grateful for the support. For all of us at the station it has been an exceptionally busy year. Whilst we work hard to engage with the public and continue to share vital safety messages, even the most experienced can find themselves in challenging situations at sea. As a charity that receives no government funding, we rely entirely on public donations to keep our lifeboats operational, ensure our crew are well-trained and equipped, and remain ready to launch - ultimately saving lives at sea, being there when we are needed most, we can only do this with the support of our community - Thank you."

The 2026 International Paint Poole Regatta, held biennially, will again affirm its status as one of the UK's premier sailing events. Alongside the IRC European Championship, a broad spectrum of racing classes will provide intense competition for all entrants. The Combined Yacht Clubs of Poole, who have expertly run the event since the regatta's inception in 2000, will again be at the helm ensuring professional race management and a vibrant social scene.

International Paint Poole Regatta - photo © Ian Roman / International Paint Poole Regatta

Partnering with Poole Lifeboat Station will bring heightened visibility to the station's vital work, enabling fundraising and community engagement opportunities across the bank holiday weekend. To find out more about Poole Regatta and join many others who have already shared expressions of interest in competing, visit pooleregatta.co.uk.

The regatta couldn't take place without sponsors International Paint, Haven Knox-Johnston, Charles Stanley, Poole Harbour Commissioners, Stoneways Marine, Salcombe Distilling Co., Rooster and The Knot Agency.