Northampton Nationals!
Get your calendars out, and make sure you're free on the 17th - 18th June (plus the 16th if you want a day of FREE training)
Situated in rural Northamptonshire, at Pitsford Reservoir within Brixworth Country Park, Northampton Sailing Club is a fantastic venue with a friendly atmosphere, and your classic sailing club vibes - exactly what you'd expect from a members run club.
Only a stone's throw from P&B, most breakages on Friday's training or Saturday's racing can be sorted with ease.
Sailors benefit from experienced race management teams, onsite camping, and an excellently stocked bar - our cups shall runneth over!
We are going to be joining the Phantoms for their open weekend. Don't worry, we will get our own startline.
The only competition we're going to have with them is which fleet can eat the most bacon butties each morning!
The racing: There will be 6 championship races planned, with 4 scheduled on the Saturday, and 2 on the Sunday, as well as a crews/ladies race following the final championship race for a bit of fun!
The social: AGM after racing on Saturday, followed by evening meal, followed by Taskmaster!
Event Sponsors
Fresh & Marsh Watersports Services - Post Race Beers and "the champagne race"
After a drought at Grafham, where licensing laws meant we had to survive off ice creams, the beers are back for 2023!
This year we're also holding a "champagne race" after the last championship race. It won't count towards the overall result, but we're encouraging crews to helm, ladies to helm, juniors to helm, or for sailors to singlehand their boats for a fun race to finish the event! The victors will get a bottle of bubbly to spray everywhere ⯑
Many thanks to Fresh & Marsh for once again ensuring that all our sailors remain properly hydrated.
Dinghyshack - Saturday Sponsor & Entry Raffle Sponsor
An up and coming business based in sunny Devon, Dinghyshack are a great chandlery supplying all the classic brands and some bonuses that you don't see everyday. They even have a selection of wooden blocks, if you want to refurb a classic Grad (although they'd probably be better on a yacht!)
In 2023, Dinghyshack have already given a set of jib sheets, and a £20 voucher in our earlybird entry raffle, and will be providing boom and hull stickers in your entry goody bags, as well as spot prizes (TBC) that will be distributed throughout the fleet on Saturday.
Pinnell & Bax - Sunday Sponsor & Training Day Sponsor
The one stop shop of the sailing world, P&B can do pretty much everything you could possibly want for a Grad.
Sails that have won the Graduate Nationals every year since 2015, boat repairs for when you push that little bit too hard on a port-starboard cross, expertise on chandlery and clothing to give you the edge and get you on the water, these guys know their stuff.
This year they've kindly agreed to support the training day, as well as supplying drinks bottles, stickers & calibration strips in your entry goody bags, and spot prizes (gloves/rash vests .etc.) to be distributed throughout the fleet on Sunday.
Entry Form & Race Documents
Pre-Nationals Training Day (16th June):
Alongside the Phantoms, we will be running a training day on Friday for all Grad sailors who wish to go for a practice, check their tuning and boat set up, and get a bit of a feel for the water.
Depending on numbers, we may be able to get 2 coach boats on the water, one for ourselves and one for the phantoms, so please fill in the form by clicking this link so we can have an idea of interest.
Charter Boats:
Not going to the nationals and happy to charter your boat out? Click this link!
Want to go to the nationals but don't have a boat? Click this link!
Helm/Crew Match-up:
Are you in need of a helm or a crew for the nationals?
Fill in the form by clicking this link and we'll put people in contact with each other to maximise bums in boats!
Accommodation:
Tents, Caravans, & Campervans are allowed on site.
Weather Forecasts: