Keelboat Regatta 2026 at New Quay Yacht Club
by Ruth Cullen 24 Jul 08:04 BST
17-19 July 2026
Hawkeye leads the pack - New Quay YC Keelboat Regatta © Pete Thomas
'OUT OF THE ASHES'
This year's NQYC Keelboat Regatta was brought to you by both NQYC and Aberaeron YC. This was primarily as a result of extensive fire damage at the NQYC clubhouse in January, slow progress by the landlord and the resulting lack of club facilities this summer. Not to be defeated, it was decided that the regatta would go ahead while we await further works, with the main driving force behind the event being Mark Willis.
AYC kindly invited us to use their clubhouse for the pre-race briefing on the Thursday evening and Buffet Meal on the Friday, where there were bright, airy clothes, alcohol (allegedly) and excellent live music from the popular and emotive Jemma Krysa. There was even a Goan style sunset and raving on the balcony. Ok! That was just me.
There were three days of racing and partying, 13 boats, in 6 races, packed with incidents, shouting and hilarity.
Day One
Excellent weather, blue skies, sunshine and mildly wavy seas; we waited for wind.
The first race was a two lapper for most boats with close racing and finishes. It was an impressive sight, spinnakers resplendent. Some sailors seemed to enter alternate realities on the second lap at the windward marks though. The contest was only just beginning. Brainstorm and Drycin Bach to the fore.
Race two was a triangle/sausage course. Brainstorm was OCS but recovered from this well to win. Battles within the fleet were beginning to emerge, Brainstorm v Drycin Bach and Blythe Spirit v Rev Band and Avoceta, the latter with its perky young crew and also a battle royal in the Hawk fleet, quickly shuffling positions. Blythe Spirit retired this race, due to a spinnaker halyard issue, that resulted in Tamara Petry venturing fearlessly up the mast while in open water.
The shenanigans continued in race three. I know I had said in the briefing to try 'not to come over the finish line in one go' but there was no need to be quite so premature at the start either! Up went the general recall and then the black flag. The following start was fractious and 'shouty' on the water. Brainstorm went clear ahead of the pack, pursued closely by Drycin Bach. The rest of the fleet came within minutes of each other, the Hawkeye-Laughing Jackass-Vixen competition just warming up.
Day Two
A slightly cloudier day, still pleasant, more waiting for wind. Into the mist the fleet went, on the coastal passage race to the Cruiser Northerly and thence to the twilight zone that is Aberaeron Harbour-mouth, at least from the committee boat perspective. What could we see? Not much. We could see that the Hawks were jostling each other near the Drwy mark, Hawkeye-Laughing Jackass-Vixen combo now joined by Sprite. Brainstorm was well ahead with Drycin Bach, Avoceta and Rev Band were pushing hard.
On the line there were minutes or even seconds even between the Hawks, which over 2-3 hours of racing shows the competitive spirit of the fleet. Of course, True Companion and Freya were all about 'smokes', quaffing and bacon butties (and we loved you for it!).
Once safely ashore we retired until the evening BBQ, with meat, veg and live music. An excellent effort by Sarah Skinner and team (who had done a hard shift on the water). The waves lapped and paddle boarders surfed, while we felt the sand in our shoes and we toasted, roasted and boasted.
Day Three
Sunday, the last day, bright but light winds, shifting awkwardly. A simple Windward/Leeward course for both races set, up towards the northerly.
Due to a hooter malfunction the first race had to be started again. Blowy hooters down VHF radios didn't cut it but the flag etiquette was excellent, (thanks to Angharad). I'd like to say the fleet was majestic as it departed but I'm afraid Zombie keelboat apocalypse comes to mind. Ok that is an exaggeration, more the delicate ghostly apparition as they strived to make headway in very light winds and a tricky tide up to the windward mark. But another glorious spinnaker display was coming. In the meantime, the RC had a competition to see who could use the f-word most in a sentence. (Well - we thought it was funny!)
The first race, then, was only one long suffering lap, Drycin Bach taking line honours, after Brainstorm had a calamitous start but recovered to fourth. minutes and second separating the rest, the two visitors, Hawkeye and Laughing Jackass, a second apart but this time pipped by Vixen and Sprite.
Finally, Race 6, a fresher wind and two laps for most, the latter of which saw the fleet become more evenly spaced, in real time, with normal service resumed for Brainstorm to be assured of overall IRC victory and the Admirals Cup for Welsh Lift-Keel Cruiser Champion. Drycin Bach second and Welsh Bilge Keel Champion for the Capt Irfon Proce Jones Trophy Vixen was third. The boat-for boat Hawk results, Hawkeye had done enough to steal Jackass' crown of being Welsh Hawk 20 Champion; bravo chaps - great racing!
These two boats also took the Non-IRC Fleet gold and silver followed by Avoceta in third. Always looking smart on the water were the crew on Blythe Spirit who were adjudged best-dressed!
This Regatta was a huge effort and success through the efforts of so many but especially Mark and Suku Willis. Excellent courses and management were made by the PRO and RC (Mark, Suku, Anharad James and Ruth Cullen) with super support in the mark-laying RIBS by Rob Shiels, Pete Thomas, Sam Coles, Alasdair Mathews. Sarah Skinner and her team made the BBQ a great success, as did AYC and 'Chelles Catering on the Friday Buffet.
Thanks to Chris and Debs for Halsail results work, to Pete (and others) for excellent photos, to CCC for various permissions, and CBWSC for facilities. Huge thanks also to our visitors from Dovey YC - you are always more than welcome.
So, three glorious days of sailing, teamwork and companionship were had by all.
It is what we do now!
IRC Results:
1st Brainstorm, Super Seal 26, Chris Seal (NQYC)
2nd Drycin Bach, Mod Hunter Duette, Dr Johnathan Price-Jones (AYC/NQYC)
3rd Vixen, Hawk 20, Martin Wood (AYC)
Non-IRC (Byron) Results:
1st Hawkeye, Hawk 20, Ian Baylis (Dovey YC)
2nd Laughing Jackass, Hawk 20, John Tildesley (Dovey YC)
3rd Avoceta, Parker 275, Henry Powell (NQYC)
Hawk (Level Rating) Results:
1st Hawkeye
2nd Laughing Jackass
3rd Vixen
Prize winners:
Welsh Lifting Keel Cruiser Champion (Admirals' Cup) - Brainstorm
Welsh Bilge Keel Cruiser Champion (Capt Irfon Jones Trophy) - Drycin Bach
Welsh Hawk 20 Champion - Hawkeye
Rising Stars - Henry & Will Powell and Thomas Best - Avoceta
Best Dressed Crew - Blythe Spirit