UK Wayfarer Association National and European Championships Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st August
Many UKWA members will have fond memories of when Arun YC hosted the Nationals in 2017 and they feel particularly honoured to have been “promoted” to running the combined Nationals and Europeans this year. They promise to put on an equally memorable event!
You will find on this website a copy of the Notice of Race, and an Entry Form which David Robinson, chair of the organising committee, would invite you to complete and return to him at david@bilshamlane.plus.com as soon as is convenient. The Entry Form is in Word format to enable you to download, complete and return it to him. As you will see, entry is limited to a total of 50 boats which will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis.
The “Early Bird” entry fee of £85 will run until midnight on 4th August, after which it will increase to £100 although, by then, Arun YC expect to have reached their maximum entry limit. When sending David your completed entry form, can you also please pay the entry fee directly to the club by BACS (details of which are on the form). Only once the fee has been received will your entry be complete!
Although the championship will run from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st August inclusive, the organisers anticipate that many of you may wish to arrive on the Wednesday, so they are delighted to announce that Michael McNamara has kindly agreed to give a “Setting up your Wayfarer” Talk around his boat at 18.30 for about an hour on the Wednesday evening, after which the galley will be open for an informal supper.
It would be appreciated if you could please notify any Wayfarer members in your club who (maybe don’t look regularly at this website) you think might be interested in competing at this event.
Nearer the event Arun YC will circulate details of the associated catering and social programme and be asking you to reserve tickets, as this will greatly assist them with their pre-planning.
Needless to say, if you have any queries, or require and further information, please do not hesitate to contact David. For further information about the club see https://arunyc.co.uk/
Wayfarer Open at Shoreham SC: July 16-17 2022
Come and experience the best sea sailing in the UK, with easy sheltered launching in the harbour and a short sail out to sea, Shoreham is renowned for its wonderful clear waters, fantastic waves and regular sea breeze.
All information about the event including online booking can be found on the Shoreham Sailing Club Website which includes the most up to date NoR, SI’s, Harbour regulations and how to enter online.
Poole Week – Sun Aug 28th -Fri Sep 2nd 2022
If we can get 12 entries we will be given our own start which we managed to achieve just from PYC entries last year so fingers crossed we will also get there this year!
Entries can be made here:- https://www.pooleweek.org/ where you can also find information on the event and additional information on the area.
For further info before the event please contact Trevor Card
and Wayfarer deputy Ian Sargeant for any help, during the event.
Wayfarer Family Gathering 8-14 August 2022, at Rutland SC
Summer 2022 Wayfarer News
If you have not received your copy in the next few days, check with Sarah whether your 2022 membership is up to date.
If you have yet to renew, you can do so easily here: Renew Existing UKWA Membership – UK Wayfarer Association
Wayfarer training and open meeting at Banbury Sailing Club as in Y&Y
The wind was blowing across the lake and gusting at times in excess of 20 mph. This was not the ideal wind direction but gave shifty and gusty conditions which provided plenty of challenges for the crews and opportunities for gains and losses in each race as they navigated their way around the seemingly random puffs and lulls. The wind increased over the course of the day and the last race was particularly difficult.
Nigel and Belinda sailing 11282 and Tim and Jacqueline sailing 11012 enjoyed a very close first race. Nigel and Belinda led at the first windward mark and although they were pushed hard from time to time by Tim and Jacqueline they maintained their lead throughout winning the race by fewer than 20 seconds. Andy and Paul sailing 9646 came third.
After a short break the second race began with Tim and Jacqueline getting away from the fleet at the first mark. They led comfortably throughout for a wire to wire win. Behind them, Nigel and Belinda enjoyed a distinctly average start and had to claw back places during the race. They had a close battle for much of the race with Michael and Christopher sailing 10700. Nigel and Belinda eventually prevailed with Michael and Christopher coming third, a definite improvement on their sixth place in the first race.
After lunch, the final race was sailed with all at stake, on a slightly modified course.
It was Michael and Christopher who got the advantage up the first beat and led the fleet for most of the race from there. Behind them, Tim and Jacqueline and Nigel and Belinda were having a very close race between themselves, exchanging positions regularly. At the beginning of the final lap, however, Nigel and Belinda took advantage of a shift and increased pressure and made their break into a clear second place.
Both Nigel and Belinda and Tim and Jacqueline were gaining on Michael and Christopher. Indeed, Nigel and Belinda took the lead briefly on the final leg of the race only for Michael and Christopher to regain the lead just before the finish line and take the gun.
Nigel and Belinda deservedly won the open meeting on count back from Tim and Jacqueline and took home the new Wayfarer trophy presented by Banbury SC. Michael and Christopher moved up to third overall with their final race win. First local boat was 9646 sailed by Andy and Paul.
The day before the open meeting, twelve boats had assembled at the club for a Wayfarer training day. The instruction was led by Michael McNamara, legend of the Wayfarer and many other classes besides. Attendees ranged from newbie racers to people who were regulars on the national circuit. Michael pitched his instruction perfectly and there was something for everybody to take away from the day, with instruction on boat setup and trim and boat handling exercises on the water.
A big thank you to Andy Darby and everybody at Banbury Sailing Club for organising the training day and the open meeting, for making the visitors welcome, and an special thanks to the ladies in the galley who provided lunches each day and an evening meal on Friday evening. The racing itself was calmly and efficiently organised by the race officer, Tim Matthews, and his team.
Overall Results:
Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 11282 | Nigel | Belinda | Swarkestone SC | 1 | ?2 | 2 | 3 |
2nd | 11012 | Tim | Jacqueline | Medway YC | 2 | 1 | ?3 | 3 |
3rd | 10700 | Michael | Chris | Leigh and Lowton SC | ?6 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
4th | 9646 | Andy | Paul | Banbury SC | 3 | 4 | ?6 | 7 |
5th | 9644 | Michael | George | Banbury SC | ?5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
6th | 7601 | Michael | George/Florence | Banbury SC | 4 | ?7 | 7 | 11 |
7th | 3722 | Matt | Tony | Banbury SC | (DNS) | DNS | 4 | 15 |
8th | 3722 | Vic | Tony | Banbury SC | (DNS) | 6 | DNS | 17 |
9th | 7592 | Tony | Terry | Banbury SC | (DNS) | 8 | DNS | 19 |
10th | 9930 | Peter | Richard | Banbury SC | (DNS) | DNS | DNS | 22 |
Wayfarer Day Saturday 11 June 2022 at HBSC

Wayfarer Training Day
The United Kingdom Wayfarer Association invites you to a day of frivolity at Hickling Broad Sailing Club on Saturday June 11th 2022 (10.00 Start)
Whether you’re a seasoned Wayfarer, or just starting out, all are welcome.
Bring your own boat or just turn up with your sailing gear and we will get you on the Water.
Cost: £10 per person to cover a single day membership at HBSC.
Itinerary
Shore side Welcome Chat over coffee and cake.
• Get to know participants and what they would like to get out of the day
Boat Clinic.
• Ask the experts for recommendation with respect to your boat / equipment. (Matt or Ralph from Aero Luff
Spars will be at hand to give you tips and advice).
Try a Wayfarer
• Novice sailors or crews who would like to have a go.
• Sailors who are considering buying a Wayfarer
Boat handling skills both on and off the water.
• Launching and recovery.
• Rigging including setting up of sails and spars.
• Setting off under sail.
• Setting off under power then hoisting sails midstream or tied to a buoy.
• Coming in to moor Under sail or under power.
• Reefing.
Let us know what you need and we will try to help
Sailing with an expert either in your own boat or a demonstration boat (Possibly Mk IV loaned by Hartley boats).
• Improve your boat handling skills.
• Improve your sail setting skills and ability to see and predict wind conditions and wind shifts.
End of day get together over a beverage.
For more information or to book your place please contact Terry Cook at: excom-support@wayfarer.org.uk
Race training and racing days; Banbury SC, 3-5 June 2022

Race Training Day Friday 3 June 2022, Banbury SC ahead of a Wayfarer Open on Saturday 4 June and BSC’s warm invitation to join in their club racing on the Sunday 5 June.
A fabulous opportunity to learn from Wayfarer International, European and National Champion Michael McNamara and Matt Sharman (AeroLuff Spars) who cruises Wayfarers far and wide with a wealth of knowledge and many years’ experience.
If you are interested in racing but not quite sure, this is a fabulous opportunity to come and give it a go! Camping available, it will be a fabulous weekend.
To book: Banbury Sailing Club : Wayfarer Day
Banbury SC: Post code: NN11 6XU (-not to be confused with Banbury Cross SC) See What3Words
Suggested schedule, depending on numbers:
Group 1: Training Exercises, First Place thinking, Change Gear, Sail Setting Guides, Wayfarer Setting up (MK 4 and Pre Mk 4)
Group 2: Race training, Sail Setting Ideas, Twinam Airflow Diagrams, Spinnaker Drills
11.00 Introduction. Aims for the day
11.30 Series of short races using exercise 3
12.30-1.00 Lunch
1.00 -1.45 Sail setting demo
1.45 -2.15 Introduction to afternoon exercises to include 2, 5, 6, 10 etc
2.15 -4.00 On the water
4.00 onwards Debrief including video
May overrun so this is a guestimate!
Details and bookings can be made via the Banbury SC website: Banbury Sailing Club : Wayfarer Day
Any queries, please don’t hesitate to email Andy Darby