Young Sailors Kick Off Keyhaven Regatta Week

Published 20:27 on 3 Aug 2026

Keyhaven Week kicked off in spirited fashion with the Junior and Youth Day a celebration where fun, water confidence, and teamwork took centre stage over traditional racing. To help guide our youngest Salterns sailors (some as young as six) down the river, older teenagers took the helm in mixed teams. The adventure launched directly from the beach with bare Zest hulls, as teams battled it out in a frantic paddling race across to the far shore where their rigs and rudders were waiting. With minimal parental assistance allowed, the sailors rigged up and set off on a course down the main river toward the Spit.

A quick pitstop for well-earned biscuits gave the fleet a chance to regroup before putting their seamanship to the test in a fast-paced knot-tying challenge. Once parents gave the rigs a check, the teams re-launched into a stiffening sea breeze for the leg back to the clubhouse. What followed was a fiercely competitive race to the finish line, matching the intensity of any fleet race Keyhaven has seen! The morning wrapped up with a sweet prize-giving Haribo for everyone and extra chocolate for the winners before families settled in for a sunny BBQ in the garden.

It was a fantastic start to Regatta Week and a wonderful way to kick off a busy week of sailing. A huge thank you goes to the parents of these young sailors for all their encouragement and support, and to Tom Garfath and his team for the fantastic organisation and providing support boat cover. Thank you all for giving up your time to ensure the event ran safely and smoothly.

Looking Ahead: Mark your calendars for Saturday, 15 August, when the combined Junior and Youth fleet reunites with plans to venture further afield to Lymington (weather permitting).