Fiona Ward looks ahead to the coming season:
After the hugely successful Combined Nationals venture in Kinsale we hope it won’t be another 4 years before we see all the Squib clans gathering again in Ireland
As ever, the Welcoming Committee will be out in Killyleagh Yacht Club for the opening regional event in May. Killyleagh is a brilliant venue and the best chance Irish members travelling to Weymouth in June for the UK Squib Championships will have to get some big fleet practice. I know there are a few more possible Travellers trying to organise for this but be quick. Entries are limited!
Kinsale Yacht Club will have restocked the bar by now and we have the sunshine on order for the Squibs to return for the Southern Regional event in mid-July. The Kinsale fleet has had a few ‘new’ Squibs (new to the fleet, these boats are 50 years old ! ) join its ranks this year and the fleet continuing to prosper.
The hardy Southerners began racing down there at the end of January. This is a 6-week league if anyone still fancies a bit of frostbite action. New Irish Squib Class President Ian Travers will be towing the length of the country to Belfast on the first long August weekend, with aspirations to retain his Irish Nationals title, while the rest of the fleet will use the legendary hospitality of the Royal North Yacht Club to celebrate a certain National Champion crew’s Significant Birthday, (which might not help Ian’s aspirations!!)
Autumn will see the Squib Fleet heading East to Howth Yacht Club on Sept 2nd & 3rd with its World class facilities ready to launch Squibs as they arrive. The Easterns at Howth is always a hotly contested weekend and as its only a couple of minutes from the ferry it’s an easy venue for anyone wishing to travel over.
Howth then runs its Autumn league in October which allows boats to launch weekly, but more on this nearer the time
Last but by no means least is the hugely competitive Irish Inlands on Lough Derg in mid October, which had 33 competing last year. The quickly growing and hugely enthusiastic Dromineer fleet hosts a wonderful event with the bonus of giving everyone the opportunity to rinse away the saline from the Squibs in the lovely freshwater regatta at the end of the season.
The Irish Squib Class will welcome anyone from across the waters wishing to do some or all the events. Get in touch early if you’re thinking about travelling and we can advise on the best routes, accommodation etc.
See you at the windward mark!
F
Check out all the event dates here