SeaFest 2012 has officially launched, and is readying itself for a weekend of even greater magnitude this year during 22-24 June.
The detailed programme of water and on-shore events is almost complete but the highlights of this year’s festival can now be viewed on the website at http://seafestloughswilly.com
Of particular interest to most club members will be the keelboat events, which comprise the Saldanha Cup on Saturday 23rd June, and the Lough Swilly Cup on Sunday 24th June. There will be three fleets: IRC, Club Class and White Sails. As most of you will recall, the Saldanha Cup is a long haul race starting from Rathmullan pier to the Saldanha wreck and back, taking in various other marks en route. The Lough Swilly Cup reverts to a series of more traditional and shorter windward ~ leeward courses.
As per last year, the combined entry fee for the keelboat events is €30 or £25 Sterling.
This permits participating yachts to free berthing at the Rathmullan pontoon from Friday 22 June through Sunday 24 June 2012. Participants will receive a decal in their registration pack which should be attached to the boat for identification purposes.
Detailed racing instructions and courses will be available nearer the time and included in all registration packs. However, the Notice of Race and the Entry Form is now available on the SeaFest 2012 website.
Completed entry forms and fees [cheques made payable to LSYC] should be forwarded to myself, Paul J Hasson, Hon Treasurer, 108 Rockfield,Derry,BT48 8AX.
As a sweetener, entry forms and fees receicved by June 15th will be in with a chance to win SeaFest food vouchers for 2 people.
There will also be an opportunity to register your entry on the morning of Saturday 23rd June at 9am in the clubhouse, but I know that most of you will be eager to enter in advance and spare me early morning stress!
I can also confirm the following highlights of this year’s festival:
- Return of MC ED, with his unique take on the keelboat runners and riders.
- BeerFest!- Up to 5 Irish Craft Brewers will have their wares for sale in the marquee area over the weekend.
- Blessing of the boats and live performance by the Henry Girls on Friday evening 22nd June.
- PotatoFest!- a vast array of Donegal potato varieties will be one of the menu highlights
- Tug ‘o War competition- I remember the days when the club had proper sea dogs in its ranks who would have won a Tug o’ War competition using their teeth!!
Another feature of this year’s SeaFest [which is part of the festival’s longer term plans] is the scheduling of events on this side of the Lough. I am delighted to announce therefore that the Beach House Restaurant, Buncrana is hosting a SeaFest lunch event on Saturday, 23rd June, with complimentary bubbly and seafood canapés.
We will be laying a special race mark as close as permissible to the Beach House, to showcase the boats as they make their way to the Saldanha wreck and back.
What better way then for the HABS and WAGS of LSYC to watch their loved ones tackle the elements by cheering them on from the Beach House, before catching the ferry and joining them at the finishing line at Rathmullan.
For much more details on the festival, hop on to the website at http://seafestloughswilly.com
In the meantime, see you on the water.
Paul J Hasson
On behalf of LSYC & SeaFest Organising Committee