The Windermere Open Sailing Regatta has been announced as part of the three-day Windermere on water (WOW) festival from 8-10 June, 2007. Organisers anticipate around 100 boats of all sizes will help celebrate on England’s largest lake over the weekend.

Responsibility for the event is split between all five sailing clubs on the lake, the South Lakes Development Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority. The Royal Windermere Yacht Club, the Windermere Cruising Association, Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club, South Windermere Sailing Club and the Lake District Boat Club will all help host and marshal the Regatta and are standing by to welcome crews from across the UK.

Open to any type of sailing or racing boat, from dinghies to cruisers, the regatta will start with a fleet race on the afternoon of Friday 8 June and conclude on the afternoon of 10 June, when all fleets will compete together in the last race event. It will also coincide with a long-established charity rowing event, between Waterhead and Bowness, that raises funds for St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds.

Other watersports and cultural events over the WOW festival weekend include the chance to learn about the ecology of the lake, enjoy reduced-price sailing, kayaking and canoeing lessons and take part in pond-dipping sessions.

Lead organiser, Michaela Markland, says: “We are delighted to receive such strong support from all five sailing clubs on the lake, who are pulling together to give the second year of WOW a huge boost.”   

For more information and entry forms, visit www.lake-district.gov.uk/regatta or contact Michaela Markland on 01539 434158 (office hours) or Teresa Peters on 01925 753239 (evenings and weekends).