Itchenor opens up new horizons for south coast dinghy racers looking for a new challenge
by Mike Wigmore 17 Feb 2022 09:17 PST
Swallows fleet racing at Itchenor Sailing Club © Kirsty Bang
Dinghy racing is great fun, but if perhaps you have had enough of launching and recovering your dinghy and capsizing doesn't quite hold the appeal it used to, you might like to take on a new challenge by giving day racing keelboats a try. Many have, and never looked back.
Itchenor is located on Chichester Harbour on the Sussex/Hampshire boarder of the south coast of England. The all-tide access to its sheltered sailing waters allows the club to organise a huge programme of racing both at weekends and during the week. With on-site accommodation available many members commute long distances from London and other parts of the southeast to take part.
The club is well blessed in having three wonderful day racing keelboat classes: the National Swallow, the Solent Sunbeam and the XOD class, each offering a unique package of experiences. The Swallow is the obvious choice for ex dinghy sailors being the most responsive and exciting of the three but it will also look after you if the going gets rough. A "dinghy racer's keelboat" is the way these beautiful "modern classics" are often described. In Chichester Harbour a Swallow can be raced successfully by crews of all ages. Whilst usually sailed with a crew of three, modern equipment means that the sail controls are easy to handle and the forgiving nature of the classic design allows two person and women crews to be competitive in all but the strongest of conditions.
The highlight of the home season is the June Keelboat Week but away regattas at Cowes, and a Championship weekend held each year on the open sea broaden the horizons. Many of the boats are in shared ownership making the running costs of a keelboat affordable.
This year the Swallow class is offering new ways to get involved. Guest crews, helms, and entire teams are always welcome to join in. The new class approved builder David Heritage is just completing his first Swallow, and competitively priced second-hand boats are always available. The class is holding a guest weekend on 14/15th May. Those wishing to take part should contact the class chairman at or visit swallowclass.org to find out more.