CLYC Killowen

What a day on the Lough at the CLYC 2026 Junior Regatta and Camp-Out.

We had eleven boats on the water for the racing with a fading wind to a glassy sea without the slightest puff. But race we did and winners were crowned.

One again some parents became children for the day with Julie being recruited to crew on the Laser 3000 and winning a prize for best standby crew.

Racing was abandoned after two progressively slower course roundings for some boat games such as Pirates, and faster paddlers!

For the non sailors we had paddle boarding and Banana boat rides. Young Tom tried paddle boarding and was soon zipping around the buoys like a pro. Olivia took mum Julie paddle boarding before abandoning mum for a few rides on the Banana boat.

Chris & Tim took on race Officer roles as Muirin, Molly, Lara & Sam supervised from the Safety Boats.

When we eventually dragged everyone off the water, Philip stirred up the BBQ while Siobhan, Dara & Robert cooked up and presented side dishes. Parents arrived down with delicious sides to fill our tummies along with BBQ’d burgers, sausages and a few mouth watering steaks.

When not sailing Laser 3000’s, paddle boarding or helping on Safety Boats, Julie joined Josh on shore helping haul boats back in. A big thank you to both for back breaking pulls up the slippery slipway.

Trophies were presented for first, second & third with club hats & water flasks awarded to all our sailors today.

And so we settle down in the clubhouse for movies & popcorn while tents have been planted on a wet lawn awaiting tired bodies to fall into warm sleeping bags.

Thank you to all the parents, Senior and Dinghy instructors for making today a huge success.

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Colder nights are approaching - stay warm while looking cool!

Our Instructors have designed a fleece now available online at https://studio.y1custom.com/shop/clyc-mt1bfncf

These are Retro Quarter Zip Fleeces which can be personalised online with your name on the back and initials on the sleeve. Available in sizes 2XS to 4XL.

From £37.99 Includes VAT and bulk delivery to the yacht club.

2026 Junior Regatta & Camp-Out at CLYC Killowen Saturday 29 August - for our sailing course participants

Registration from 10.30am (due to Triathlon at Kibroney Forest entrance)

Racing from 1.00pm for those working towards their RYA Level 3 and above

Fun on the water for all other participants from 3pm - paddle boards, kayaks, sailing or banana boating

6/7pm BBQ for all the family

Any question please email us [email protected]

Please register online https://pci.jotform.com/form/262356243092354

Our sailors jump for joy after battling the shifty winds on the final races of our 2026 Orr Trophy.

The 50+ year tradition of CLYC’s Orr Trophy continues to welcome new sailors to racing, where they really begin to develop their skills.

Tonight, the last two races of this years Orr Trophy saw big wind shifts and strong gusts testing both the ‘old hands’ and newbies of the fleet.

Our hero this evening has to be the Mighty Megan when her mainsail and sheet came adrift from her boom. Cool, calm and demonstrating the practical skills needed from a proper sailor, she reconnected the mainsheet blocks, hooked in the mainsail outhaul, and continued on racing! We may have our SuperModel Chris running the race, but Mighty Megan was deffo the SuperWoman of the evening.

As the faster lasers raced ahead of the two Pico’s, new sailor Charlie gave both Muirin and Ruairi a real run for their money, stealing their wind, and nearly stealing the glory - but not quite.

The strong gusts and shifty nature of the breeze, had the potential of excluding new sailor Mia from the racing, but SuperDad Sam came to the rescue and added his weight to Mia’s boat. They sailed a storm - their little ship screamed over the water, with a Titanic bow wave. Well maybe not Titanic, closer to U-Boat as a new moniker has been issued - Submarine Sam!

And so we finished the second of the two races as the light faded across the Lough and on the 2026 Orr Trophy.

The evening typified the spirit of the Orr Trophy with Charlie’s dad yet again helping our sailor get on and off the water, and Megan & Mia’s dad sailing with Mia.

A massive thank you to Muirin and Anna, our Senior Instructors for encouraging our new young sailors to take part in the Tuesday night junior sailing across the summer.

As for our SuperModel Chris & Tim for being there every evening to run the races and make them fun - you’re just gorgeous!!!

Don’t forget our Summer Campout and Junior Regatta this Saturday 29 August - info & register here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/262356243092354

That’s a wrap on our summer sailing courses

A few close up pics of the J/24’s today at CLYC Killowen
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