Keyhaven Regatta Week success!
Published 10:28 on 19 Aug 2025
I think we can safely say that Regatta Week was a resounding success! We had over 60 sailors head out onto the water over the duration and despite a week of generally light winds, Thursday brought an exhilarating change of pace with 15-knot winds gusting up to 20 knots, challenging sailors to a thrilling course around Keyhaven marshes. The week concluded with the popular Pursuit Race on Friday. Although it began with no wind, a freshening sea breeze later delivered perfect conditions for some spirited and competitive sailing. The Treasure Island paddle race on Wednesday unfortunately attracted the only rain of the week, but still some hardy paddlers headed out to complete the course and find the treasure - thank you to Matt Tatnell and his team for organising.
Winners from the week included:
- Hurst Marine Solent Series
Scow Fleet: Ashton & Shannon Dray
Open Fleet: Ian Sanderson - West Solent Boat Builders Solent Series
Scow Fleet: Mark Jardine
Open Fleet: Ian Sanderson & Raffy Seddon - Buchanan's Jewellers Long Solent Race
Scow Fleet: Simon Howell
Open Fleet: Stuart Hudson - David Jupp Trophy Pursuit Race (sponsored by Buchanan's Jewellers):
Ian Sanderson & Raffy Seddon - First Lady Award: Melanie Seacombe
- Treasure Island Paddle Race: Sue Handasyde Dick
Congratulations to all who took part and made the week such fantastic event.
Beyond the racing, the regatta embraced fun for all ages. Pirate Day on Thursday brought laughter and excitement to around 40 children, who enjoyed on-water antics with the pirate ship, chasing down floating treasure balls to trade in for gold (chocolate) coins. On land, kids delighted in face painting, temporary tattoos, and classic pirate games.
The evenings were no less lively, with some fabulous social nights full of delicious food, live music, a fun quiz night and just generally enjoying the summer evenings by the sea. It was lovely to see our Twickenham Yacht Club sailors and their families enjoying the week, both on and off the water, too.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our incredible volunteers from Race Officers and support boat crew to social volunteers - without whom this event simply would not be possible - and to our generous sponsors: Buchanan's Jewellers, Harken, Hurst Marine, Seahorse Magazine, and West Solent Boat Builders. The wonderful photographs are all courtesy of Nick Boxall and can be viewed at www.keyhavensailing.co.uk - thank you so much Nick. There is also a video Regatta Video
And regatta season is not over yet - KYC looks forward to welcoming sailors back for the Lymington River Scow Class Association Championships on the 6th & 7th September. Booking now open - enter here
Related
- Keyhaven Regatta Week 2025 (9 - 15 August)