When getting involved with the National Redwing dinghy you probably didn’t know that you were in fact joining a collection of dedicated enthusiasts. We are from a huge range of backgrounds and ages that all love our boats and socialising with those who are also interested in them. Being so dedicated our events are well supported, we just love to race against each other and socialise with each other afterwards!
2022 Class events
18th-21st August – Uffa Fox 2022 Regatta – Cowes
This is not specifically a Redwing class event but it is an event for Uffa Fox designed boats to mark 50 years since his death. There is a great series of water activities and socials planned and it would be great to have representation from the fleet. The first points race of our national championship will be delayed until the Monday to allow for members of the fleet to attend both events.
Note: There is now a 50% off ferry fees from Red Funnel, a £100 subsidy towards travel and free entry! It has become affordable to go, please come along.
21st-27th August – Redwing National Championship 2022 – Tenby Sailing Club
Tenby used to be one of the main Redwing hubs with Redwings lining the quayside. Now there are still many Redwings in Tenby but only a few out racing. The champs has a bit of a reputation for reviving a fleet and already the boats are being assembled and plans made for race ready tinkering. This is set to be an incredible event and one that we have been awaiting for many many years so we are very excited to be going back to this amazing venue. To add to the fun, this event is also twinned with an Enterprise event which is destined to make the evenings more enjoyable.
Past events…
17th-19th June – Redwing Inlands 2022 – Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club
Congratulations to Mike and Deanna in R225, Our 2022 Redwing Inland Champions!
We had 5 boats attend from all over and incredibly close racing. R249 excluded, every boat won a race! Another award has to go to R255, not for their intimidating boat speed (great to see) but for the best save including a trapeze artist that can apparently run on water! Sadly no camera present at the time unlike Paul Dunns forever famous feet up photo moment!
Saturday was a hold on situation with some great reaches and epic dead downwind goosewing planing action. Race 2 and 3 abandoned as the wind increased above our agreed limits. Sunday the conditions were ideal with a lighter race followed by 2 full trapeze races. Lots of ducking and passing upwind, some serious tacking on the shifts, fast planing and intense wind shadowing trying to get the inside overlap made for really interesting and tight racing. Outside of racing there was all the usual antics with a meal out, a meal in, a table tennis invitational and some (plenty of) drinking.
A huge thanks to BCYC for all the effort put in to organise and run the event. It really is appreciated! While our entry numbers were small the quality of the racing and social both made it very enjoyable, a great way to catch up with friends and to get back into competing in fleet racing.
Hopefully we will be able to return next year. Before then though we look forward to meeting up with our friends from the Enterprise fleet in Tenby later this year.
Well done again to R225 Mike and Deanna.
Redwing National Championship 2021 – Isles of Scilly
We were lucky to be able to have a full event in 2021 and the Isles of Scilly, yet again, put in a great performance giving us all an amazing event. The highlight has to be meeting R255 Rhubarb, the newest boat in the fleet and an absolute testament of the craftsmanship, patience and dedication of Ben and Toby Hicks. The wind varied from both ends of our limits causing some luxurious drifting in the sun (for the helms anyway, the crews were stuffed down near the bow tank!) but also some epic planing with at least one spectacular pitch pole. The fleet can confirm that Ben holds many talents and as well a bringing the immaculate R255 to its first champs we also sampled pizzas from his tractor mounted pizza oven on the beach. We look forward to returning next time.
2020 Events – Cancelled
Sadly 2020 was a poor year for sailing along with many other things. Due to COVID 19 restrictions and the resulting limitations on what the events could be, the Inlands, Nationals and Harding Cup were all cancelled this year. The decision was taken at the AGM to delay each of the nationals venues by a year making out next National Championship in 2021 at the Isles of Scilly.
Redwing National Championships 2019 – Looe Sailing Club
Again the fleet returned home to Looe in 2019. A great week and with only a little adjustment during the week we were able to have cracking racing in good wind for all races. Although there was good competition for the top places, 1st place was generally dominated by R226 Dodo sailed by Matt Jaycock and Dave Jackman – congratulations and well sailed!
What is also great to see is that we had good competition right through the fleet with tussles and (friendly) rivalries developing as the week went on. We had a great week, both on the water and off including the day off with swimming in a secluded bay. A huge thank you to all involved in organising and running the championship, it is really appreciated!
The full championship report is now available for download or you can view is on our very own news page. Many thanks to Peter for putting this together and to Neil for allowing us to use his incredible pictures.
We are very fortunate in Looe to have Neil Richardson who takes incredible in the moment photos of the events and this years Nationals was no exception. Take a look at his albums of the events by following Neil on Facebook and also this video taken by Looe Sailing Club showing races 1 and 2.
Harding Cup 2019 – North Devon Yacht Club June 29-30th
This is the second time in the Harding Cup has been awarded in recent years. This year it was awarded based on 3 races. 2 races started from a committee boat on the Saturday followed by 1 race started in the usual club format on the Sunday. Congratulations this year go to Stan Pyle in R62 Poppet who gets to take the trophy home for the year. The weather was glorious and saw 5 Redwings intending to race with the 9 stone steel centerplate in place as our class traditionally dictates. There was some incredibly close racing to be enjoyed most notably between R211 Chanty and R62 Poppet on the Sunday who continually swapped positions throughout the race. I think this format will be taken forward next year with racing on both days of the weekend with the opportunity for a good social on the evening in between – a weekend to look out for next year, especially if you have a plated boat.
Redwing Inland Championships 2019 – Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club – April 27-28th
Our 2019 Inland Championships were held by Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club on April 27-28th. This was our second Inlands held at BCYC. Unusually we were becalmed in 2018 limiting the event to a single race and causing much time for a fleet social. In 2019 we had the other extreme with plenty of wind on the Saturday causing a tent to blow away and sailing to be abandoned. There was however much socialising and a busy clubhouse especially as the event was shared with the Enterprise fleet. Sunday had great sailing conditions and we made a bit more of it by sailing 3 races instead of 2. It was close racing with each race being won by a different boat! In the end it was exceptionally close between Dragon and Cock of the Rock equal on points, countback and it coming down to the position of the final race sailed. Well done to Angus and Adam in R244 Dragon.
Many thanks to the competitors for making the trip and supporting our clubs mission to fill the recycling bins 🙂
Equally importantly the association would like to say a big thanks to the organisers of the event at BCYC for the many hours that they spent organising paperwork, preparing food and volunteers and the manning the galley, bar and boats. Thanks also to the Enterprise class association for their support with entries, results and company as well.
Redwing National Championships 2018 – Centré Nautique de Plérin
An excellent event at an incredible sailing venue organised by the Le Grand Léjon association and held at the Centré Nautique de Plérin. Please read the Yachts and Yachting report for more information.
Redwing Inland Championships 2018 – Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club
This was our first Inland event for many years and unusually for BCYC the wind was lacking leaving us with just one race. We did however make up for it with Yoga, Table Tennis and beer. It was great to see everyone and we are pleased to reinstate a routing of having an Inland Championships as a second opportunity for a class event and catch up of old friends.
Redwing National Championships 2017 – North Devon Yacht Club
We were welcomed back to NDYC in 2017 with much local excitement and Redwingers of the past coming out to see. The Redwing was a very familiar sight in the NDYC racing area in the 60’s. This event also represented 50 years since the event was last held at NDYC. You can read more in the Yachts and Yachting report.
Redwing National Championships 2016 – Scillonian Sailing Club
What a picturesque venue! Despite poor weather restricting the movements of the ferry’s, we had an excellent event with the largest turnout of recent years hitting 30 boats! More information here in the Yachts and Yachting report and pictures here.
Redwing National Championships 2015 – Looe Sailing Club
Redwing National Championships 2014 – Centré Nautique de Plérin
Please find event results here.
National Redwing Dinghy Association 