Competitor Information
Common questions about the 2026 race. The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions are both published and available on the main page.
Entry & Eligibility
How do I enter?
Entry is open now, via the main race page — the Notice of Race and entry fees are there too. Entry closes 5pm Friday 7 August 2026.
Is the race suitable for me?
The race is aimed at sailors who are confident sailing for extended periods, comfortable outside sheltered water, and able to manage their boat and themselves without assistance. It is not a beginner event, but is intended to be more accessible than previous offshore editions.
If you're not sure, email the race manager and arrange a chat — he'd be very happy to talk you through what the race involves. aodr@redwharfbaysc.co.uk
What boats are eligible?
Full eligibility details are in the Notice of Race, including the PY band and excluded classes. The 2026 fleet has been shaped by one constraint above all others: matching the range of boats to the safety cover the club can reliably field. That means a compressed PY range and the exclusion of the highest-performance classes — not as a judgement on those boats or their sailors, but as a consequence of where the race is starting from. We expect eligibility to evolve as the race grows.
Why is my class excluded?
The all-crew-trapeze and foiling exclusions follow directly from safety cover. The club's rescue capability is real but finite — the majority of safety crews are competent sailors, but not equipped to handle the recovery of high-performance dinghies or cats in open water. The 2025 race didn't run because we couldn't put together adequate cover; the 2026 fleet has been deliberately shaped so that we can deliver what we promise. The boundaries are set by what the club can safely support right now, not by any ceiling on ambition.
Race Day
What's the time limit?
A fixed cut-off of 15:15, whatever time we start — so everybody should be back on the beach by around 15:30. If light winds mean we hold the fleet ashore and start later than 10:15, the cut-off does not move with it; we shorten the course instead. We'll manage course length on the day to keep the fleet inside that time. Full detail is in the Sailing Instructions.
Do I need to sign on?
Yes. A safety sign-on process will operate on race day. Full details in the Sailing Instructions.
Can I bring my boat early?
Yes — there's room at the top of the beach, on the third row of dinghies, from Friday or Saturday before the race. The dinghy park isn't a secured area — there's no fence around it — but our members leave boats there through the summer generally without issue. It's a neap tide that weekend, so as long as there's no heavy swell onto the beach, the high-tide mark should be easy enough to judge for yourself.
What about insurance and liability?
The safety of a boat and her entire management, including insurance, is the responsibility of the helm. Full details will be in the Notice of Race.
Do I need to move between venues?
No. One of the key benefits of the 2026 format is a single venue throughout. No shuttle or retrieval at a separate location.
Making a Weekend of It
August on Anglesey is worth the trip regardless. Traeth Bychan sits on the east coast of the island, within a short drive of Red Wharf Bay, the village of Moelfre, and Lligwy Beach. Camping is plentiful nearby, with several sites within a mile or two of the water. B&Bs, holiday cottages, and caravan parks are well-established in this part of the island. Beaumaris, with its castle and waterfront, is about twenty minutes south. Snowdonia is visible across the strait on a clear day.
The island's 125-mile coastline, its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designation, and the quality of the east coast sailing water are part of what makes this event worth building into a longer stay.
Notice of Race & Sailing Instructions now published