The mini-yacht regatta was held on the sands at St Annes on Saturday and Sunday, just days after the new Beachcomber cafe at the £300,000 redeveloped North Beach Wind Sports Centre opened.
Once finishing touches are complete, the new centre will soon become the modern HQ for the Kite Surfing Club and Land Yacht Club – and it was clear from the weekend’s events that it will be a great asset for the sports.
The regatta formed part of St Annes Land Yacht Club’s celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of FISLY, the International Land and Sand Yachting Federation.
It was also the first round of the 2022/23 British Federation of Land and Sand Yacht Clubs championships.
First place was handed to Chris Wright, followed by Ian Dibdin who scooped the second prize and was also presented with an award for 60 years’ dedication to land yachting.
Ed Inglis took home third place in the regatta contest.
Keith Ecroyd, chairman of St Annes Land Yacht Club, said: “The was the first regatta of the season. There will be eight regattas throughout the season to choose the international team to go forward for the Europeans 2023, which is on St Annes beach in October next year.”
1. Mini-yacht regatta
A mini-yacht regatta was held on St Annes beach at the weekend. Ian Dibdin has been sailing since he was eight-years-old in the 1950s. His father was one of the founding members of Fylde International Sand Yacht Club. Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson
2. Mini-yacht regatta
And they're off! Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson
3. Mini-yacht regatta
St Annes Landyacht Club celebrates 60th anniversary of FISLY, the International Land and Sandyachting Federation, with a mini-yacht regatta on October 15 and 16. The event also marked the first round of the 2022/23 British Federation of Land and Sand Yacht Clubs championships, held on the beach at St Annes. Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson
4. Mini-yacht regatta
The event was held on the sands near North Beach car park in St Annes Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson
5. Mini-yacht regatta
Ian Dibdin received an award for 60 years of dedication to landyachting during the weekend's celebrations. He was also awarded second prize during the regatta contest. Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson
6. Mini-yacht regatta
The event comes as the North Beach Wind Sports Centre nears completion. The Kite Surfing Club and Land Yacht Club will move into the refurbished building after the finishing touches are completed. Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson