WSC is hosting the Squib National Championship between 24th and 30th June, on behalf of the National Squib Owners’ Association (NSOA). This annual event was most recently staged in Weymouth in 2009 and 2016, so many members will know what to expect. It’s a full-on, colourful, vibrant, sailing festival, briefly injecting both the Harbour and the Club with all the energy, hustle and bustle associated with a major sporting event. So far, about 70 boats have entered which will bring around 180 enthusiastic sailors and their supporters to our Club for the week.
Visiting boats will be measured and launched at WPNSA and all boats will be afloat in Weymouth Harbour either on town or WSC berths for the duration. Despite, or perhaps because of, the difficult economic background, the Club has received strong support from the local authorities and the We Are Weymouth local business promotion team. They share our enthusiasm for the event and can see the many benefits it will bring to the Club, the harbourside and the town, confirming Weymouth Bay as a premier league sailing and watersports venue.
An event on this scale will inevitably cause some disturbance and disruption to the ordinary operations of the Club and while some members will revel in the excitement some, quite understandably, will not. So both the General Committee and the Championship Organising Committee, chaired by Mike Fenwick, greatly appreciate the forbearance of members. We are particularly grateful to those members temporarily vacating their clubhouse pontoon berths to make space for our many visitors.
We will, of course, be seeking lots of volunteers to help ensure that WSC can deliver an outstandingly welcoming, fun, and well-oiled event.
If - sailor or WRC rower - you wish to join in the fun (and get some practice in before WSC or WRC hosts their next big event), and think you may be able to help for all or some of the time, please let us know by emailing squibs23@wsc.org.uk
And thank you to all those who have already offered their support!
It’s going to be a great week!
Submitted on 10th May 2023