Newsletter 13 05 26
Published 16:00 on 13 May 2026
Welcome to WKSC Newsletter
A round up of Club news this week... including sailing, training and upcoming social events. Also included are links to current boats for sale.
.
A View from the Bridge
The Wilson Trophy once again showcased the very best of West Kirby Sailing Club — not just on the water, but in the spirit, professionalism, and generosity of everyone who made it happen. I think everyone who was there will agree that it went amazingly well. It was fantastic to see so many new faces getting stuck in alongside the old reliables — that blend of fresh energy and seasoned expertise is exactly what keeps this event special.
To our members who stepped in to host visiting sailors, to those who worked long hours behind the scenes, and to the many who quietly solved problems before anyone else even knew they existed — thank you. The feedback from competitors, officials, and visitors has been exceptional, and that is entirely down to you.
Across 282 races, 1,680 meals, and 250 people bedded down for 2.5 days of full on activity, West Kirby Sailing Club once again showed why the Wilson puts us firmly on the international sailing map.
Biscayne Bay may have lifted the trophy, but with the Rutland Raiders taking two races off them in the final, it was a spectacular contest from start to finish.
Its fair to say a few candles were burned at both ends — and I'm certainly feeling it this week — but the effort was worth every moment. What stood out most was the professionalism, good humour, and sheer commitment shown across every corner of the club.
I won't list individuals, as I did that at the weekend, but I do want to thank every team who made this happen (in no particular order): Boats, Yard, Captains, Safety, Umpires, Beach, Catering, House, Fabrics, Event Committee, Race, Bar, IT, Media, Safeguarding.
If I've missed a group, that's my error — every single one of you played your part, and you did it brilliantly.
A special thank you also goes to our sponsors, whose support allows us to deliver an event of this scale. It could not happen without you.
And finally — if anyone wants to get involved next year, now is the perfect time to step forward. Let any of the Heads of the Department know and they'll pencil you in. The Wilson runs on people, and there's always room for more hands on deck (sorry couldn't resist the nautical analogy!).
Best Regards,
Chris
Sailing and Club Calendar - What's on this week
X1 & X2 Fast Handicap Wednesday 13 May, 19:00
X1 & X2 Novice HandicapWednesday 13 May, 19:03
X1 & X2 Slow Handicap Wednesday 13 May, 19:06
Radio Sailing Thursday 14 May, 14:00
Calday CCF 2026 Thursday 14 May, 16:00-18:00
X1 & X2 GP14 Thursday 14 May, 19:00
X1 & X2 Lightning Thursday 14 May, 19:03
Illusion Friday 15 May, 14:00
Let's Launch 2026 Friday 15 May, 16:00-18:00
X1 & X2 Optimist & Junior Handicap Friday 15 May, 18:00
X1 & X2 Mirror Friday 15 May, 18:03
Saturday Morning Juniors (First Course) Saturday 16 May, 09:20-12:00
MOSTYN RACE All Classes (T) Saturday 16 May
Spring 5 & 6 St/Hi/Fa Sunday 17 May, 10:00
Spring Tide 5 & 6 Fast Handicap (T) Sunday 17 May, 10:00
Spring Tide 5 & 6 Slow Handicap (T) Sunday 17 May, 10:03
GP14 Open Meeting (Tide) Sunday 17 May
Monday Nights Adults First Course 2026 Monday 18 May, 18:30-20:30
GC5 Monday 18 May, 20:00-22:00
Calday Grammar School Tuesday 19 May, 16:00-18:00
X3 & X4 Solo Tuesday 19 May, 19:00
X3 & X4 Laser Tuesday 19 May, 19:03
X3 & X4 Illusion Tuesday 19 May, 19:06
Gentlemen's Lunch Wednesday, 12:00 - 14:30
News & Notices
Safeguarding
It was a pleasure to be part of the large team that helped deliver the 2026 Wilson Trophy. Feedback has been very positive and thank you to all members for being so welcoming to the visiting teams.
| This week is Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 (11-17 May). This years theme for the annual campaign, led by the Mental Health Foundation, is Take Action. Mental Health Awareness Week | Sport England. Research shows that being on or near water has a whole host of positive benefits for our mental health and wellbeing. Moving in itself is a mood booster. And sailing and boating provide not only activity but also a chance to be sociable and get outdoors in nature. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week here's an opportunity to find out more about the Blue Mind Theory and Why Sailing is Good for your Mental Health. |
The Galley
Seafood Shack is serving a delicious menu this week - Click here for the menu
Sailing Matters
COMING UP (SAILING) :
SAT 16/5/26 THE MOSTYN RACE
SUN 17/5/26 Tidal Racing Spring Tide 5&6 & GP OPEN
SAT 23/5/26 MIRROR SPECIAL (addition to sailing programme)
SUN 24/5/26 Lake Racing Spring Lake 5&6
Mon 25/5/26 Billy Wilson Lake Pursuit Race30/5/26 - Spring Bank Holiday
SAT 30/5/26 PRESIDENTS RACE (change to sailing programme - instead of Coastal Dash)
All lake races as per Sailing Programme in handbook
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
My final comment in last weeks SAILING MATTERS was Good Luck WKSC in the Wilson …. BRING IT ON HOME !
I was lucky enough to arrive back from a mercy mission in Scotland for the Finals of the Wilson on Sunday.
Light airs for Friday and Saturday of this years Wilson Trophy
What a final! Held in breezy conditions with a clear blue sky and the best two teams in the world battling it out for supremacy. The crowd on the prom (what a great crowd) applauded loudly as the Rutland Raiders sailed past the old baths, runners up to Biscayne Bay Sailing Club from Miami, who successfully defended the Wilson Trophy - the first team for a long time to win two years in a row. They of course, also got a well deserved cheer as they sailed past.
Rutland Raiders with our Commodore, runners up in the Wilson Trophy 2026 - Picture - Alan Jenkins
Biscayne Bay Winners of the 2026 Wilson Trophy - Picture - Dan Booth
WKSC did Bring It On Home in the sense that the event happened and happened well… its a substantial undertaking with many folk thankfully volunteering - many this year were new to the Wilson and they loved it - we haven't anymore got the base of a Firefly fleet from which to draw enthusiasts or a Cadet fleet to feed into the Fireflies and yet somehow all the teams were provided with free accommodation as always by members of the club. Before the event all the Wilson Fireflies had been completely and meticulously checked out, fixed if needed….. hell ! That's a lot of work, then there's all the catering that is carefully planned and delivered. I could go on. Its a substantial event.
There was an objective this year of giving some WKSC junior sailors the experience of racing in the Wilson in a WKSC Team. That happened with a bonus of a couple more WKSC juniors than planned being able to race in other teams competing. From what I'm hearing they all loved it. I sense a resurgence of interest in team racing at WKSC - see Sally Bromilow's piece below.
WKSC Juniors from l to r who had their first experience of a Wilson Trophy: Eve Bromilow, Edie Rogers, Tom Underwood, Sophie Gatenby, Amber Price.
The WKSC Hawks got knocked out in the quarter finals by the eventual winners. That's good isn't it? Not that they were knocked out of course but that they were through to the quarter finals again.
There was one chap who had come over from San Francisco just to watch, he does so every year!
The Wilson Trophy 2026
Our favourite Wilson Trophy commentator Jim Gaskin
Lastly, Dan Booth has produced a great video of the Wilson Final, taken from his drone.
It is available on You Tube
Im jumping straight to whats Coming Up from the sailing point of view. I hope Ill be forgiven for not covering the club racing in the last week but the Wilson dominated the week and rightly so and the weather continued to switch off many folk from racing. However there is a lot planned for the rest of May and if we enjoy half decent weather I expect there will be a lot on which to report over the coming two weeks.
The Mostyn Race on Saturday 16/5/26 usually attracts the biggest entry of any single club race in the year.
Currently the forecast is good 8-9 Kts westerly. Sailing Instructions will be on the WhatsApp Groups, on the website and at the clubhouse shortly.
Please let the results team know if you plan to compete in the usual way:
email to results@wksc.org.uk giving Class of boat, Sail Number, Helm name, crew name (all of them please).
Sunday 17/5/26 is normal tidal racing with the addition of the dinghies hosting a GP Open Event as part of the club racing. There will be a change to the schedule in that the GPs will be first class to start from Little Arvor committee boat.
A second GRAND MIRROR DAY will be held on Saturday 23/5/26. This will follow a similar day to the first Grand Mirror Day 25/4/26 except that theres a real possibility of having even more Mirrors out on the water than we had on the 25/4/26.
Mirror x 22 is the target to beat then! More on this next week.
The BILLY WILSON LAKE PURSUIT RACE is coming up on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday 25/5/26. This is a fun race on the lake where the slower boats go off first and fastest last in the normal way of a pursuit race with the exception in that there is no start line! Boats are rigged and ready on the water by the jetties at the sailing club end of the lake. At the appointed start time of each class I tell them to go and they sail off into the course. Simple as that. At the end time for the race the race team wave flags, blow horns and capture the positions of boats….. at the end time for the race - usually 90 minutes for the slowest boat. An Optimist narrowly missed winning it a few years back but only by 2 or 3 seconds.
Because the PRESIDENTS RACE is a great race at the beginning of the season and its still the beginning of the season, we will try again to run it on Saturday 30th May. It was blown off on the planned date 18/4/26. Watch out for new Sailing Instructions in due course.
RESURGENT FIREFLY SAILING AT WKSC?
Sally Bromilow talks here about the potential to revitalise Firefly Sailing at WKSC:
Following another brilliant Wilson Trophy weekend, theres been plenty of discussion around the club about getting Fireflies back on the water at West Kirby. Once a huge part of WKSC sailing and team racing culture, the Firefly fleet has gradually faded away in recent years, but with so many members inspired by the Wilson once again, now feels like the right time to try and reignite things.
The plan is to introduce regular Thursday evening Firefly fleet racing using some club boats, initially linked to the X and Y series racing. The aim is to keep things fun, accessible and welcoming, whether you're a former Firefly sailor, a current team racer, a junior wanting more boat time, or simply curious to have a go.
Alongside the racing itself, wed love to rebuild a wider we love Fireflies community at WKSC; bringing together juniors and adults alike around a boat class that has always been a big part of the clubs identity. The hope is to create an informal, social and supportive group where people can race, practise, crew swap, help newer sailors and simply enjoy getting these fantastic boats back on the water again.
Team Racing Committee have kindly offered some of the club boats to get things going, but do feel free to sail your own firefly if you have one! We just want to encourage sailors to come down, get involved and enjoy some fun sailing in a classic West Kirby boat.
Adding a bit of extra incentive, the National Firefly Association are currently running their 80th Anniversary Firefly raffle, where sailors can earn raffle tickets towards winning a brand new Ovington Firefly simply by taking part in club racing and Firefly events.
Well share more details soon once we've had chance to organise boats, logistics and suitable dates; particularly once the weather decides to cooperate!
Until next week then - Have a good sail!
Tony Marston
Sailing Secretary
Training
New Activity - Let's Launch
Click here to book your Training Courses
Events
Lightning 368 Open Championship - 5th July
Menai Strait Regattas 27th July - 8th August 2026
WKSC 125th Anniversary Away Ball - Saturday 3rd October 2026
You must be logged in to purchase tickets but you are welcome to book for non-members.
Menu
Starter - Pork Terrine, with Pineapple Salsa, Slaw & Pork Scratching, Cajun Style Dressing.
Main - Slow Cooked Featherblade of Beef, Celeriac Puree, Fondant Potato, Green Beans, Red Wine Jus.
Dessert - Sticky Toffee Pudding, Butterscotch Sauce, Clotted Cream.
Vegetarian and other dietary requirements available.
Other Information
| Boats for Sale |
Boats for sale - Click here to view all Boats for Sale on the website. |
| If you would like something added to the newsletter please contact newsletter@wksc.org.uk |
Last updated 17:36 on 13 May 2026