The day started with some heavy black clouds, but the rain held off, and there was a good force 2 to power the fleets around the course. With three a race series, and a prize giving scheduled, it was going to be a busy day!

The gusting winds continued throughout the day and the sun broke through to boot. All in all, some great sailing conditions, with plenty of reaches, planing, and numerous capsizes.

A wet morning.. Will there be a chance to sit out as this group did yesterday?

Unfortunately various rain showers put the kibosh on a repeat of Monday’s jollities.

The wind was lighter than forecast though some strong gusts passed through causing a capsize or two, while the shadow of Sale Fell occasionally challenged the fleet as they rounded mark 9.

The Nairn Pursuit had varying conditions during the prolonged 40 min start sequence including torrential rain, high gusts, and then lighter winds for the final few starts. This gave the early starters, mainly Mirrors, an advantage which they used to within three minutes of the finish when the GP fleet, led by Andy Smith/Phil Hodgkins, were closing in. Inexpicably the lead Mirror seemed to believe they had finished and overstood the final mark before the finish signal. Realising their error they headed back to next mark, taking 4th position, though it seemed likely that the GPs may well have passed them in the final  minutes in any case.

For many there was just one afternoon race on Monday, but for the hardy few there was a Dragonforce model yacht race in the morning, as well as a junior series this year too!

The afternoon race was held in the bay and took advantage of the good, but gusty, winds which caused many capsizes, but also provided some excellent planing conditions.

An evening of quizzes to keep the competitive spirit alive. As ever it was a close run result going to a tie break on the colour of the VC’s underwear! The fully deserving winners were ‘The Independent Wine Merchant of the Year’ aka Carruthers and Kent

A dry start to the day with the forecast of a better breeze to hopefully get in an extra race having lost one yesterday.

With a good southerly, the conditions were ideal for a 10.30 start to get the day’s racing underway, with some great planing, and the occasional capsize! The Laser fleet caused the first general recall of the week. Hopefully putting them to the back of the start sequence will stop them being quite so eager in the future.

Two races sailed with the final one after lunch. Would the rain showers miss us? Just before the final race the wind swung to the west, and the committee boat set a course accordingly, only for it to veer to the north while waiting for the fleets to get to the line. The wind appeared to be returning to the west so the sequence was started in anticipation, but abandoned with seconds to spare. A while later the southerly wind was spotted, the start relaid and racing was soon underway. The direction remained true, but the strength eased unfortunately.

The first prize giving of the week was held just as a light rain shower was imminent. The sponsors umbrellas which were awarded as prizes for some winners proved quite useful!

After months of preparation, a big team of helpers have been welcoming this year’s visitors that were eager to set up camp from the moment the gate opened yesterday.

After a sunny day there was a small shower but followed by a lovely sunset that reminds us all why we love Bass.

There was plenty of celebrations after meeting up with old friends. How’s everyone feeling today?

Racing gets underway this afternoon. After glorious champagne sailing conditions in the morning, coming from the south as well, the wind struggled to bed in from a specific direction. Mid afternoon the sea breeze took control and racing started at 4.30 but the strength eased, direction twitched and a slight shower came in, so there was only the one race.

At least the sailors made getting changed worthwhile, and they were able to check they had rigged their boat correctly!

Tonight there will be drinks with the commodore, then live music.

Bass Week fees for this year have been agreed, and the brochure is being prepared with an expectation that entries will go live week commencing 7 April.

Don’t miss out on the significant discounts available for pre-entry

Did you spend your holiday with us at Bassenthwaite for our annual regatta? Hopefully you returned home safely, caught up on your washing (and sleep), and looking forward to Bass Week 2019!

The Bass team are always striving for continuous improvement and in this respect we would like your feedback on this year’s regatta.

If you have 5 minutes to spare please click on Questionnaire 2018 and let us know what was good about this year and where we can improve. For every 25th completed survey, the lucky individual will receive a £25 discount voucher off next years entry.

Congratulations to Sailing Secretary Joe Roberts on winning the first £25 voucher. 

Further congratulations go to Jonathan Garfitt and Fay Kerr on winning the second and third £25 vouchers. Time your submission well and you could be next!

Booking your holidays for 2019? Want to join us for another great Bass Week regatta? Don’t forget to reserve 3rd-11th August 2019, entries will be open from mid April!

The glorious 12th brings Bass Week to a close for another year. A very wet night wasn’t appreciated by those needing to take down tents and awnings, but it did stop in the morning, and it was much milder again to help dry things out.

The wind was somewhat fickle, but there were many boats wanting to sail as various fleets had several boats in contention for their respective trophies. After a short postponement, racing was underway but the wind promptly eased, and then swung so much the beats disappeared for a while as a southerly filled in. The race was the final of the weekend, and Bass Week 2018, and was followed by the prize giving during which Commodore Robin Dawson thanked all the volunteers who had put in so much effort during the preparation for, and during the week, to deliver what we hope was a successful event for competitors and the club alike.

Of those that survived the full week, some special perpetual trophies were awarded.

Nigel O’Donnell gave a vote of thanks to the club for delivering a great event in a location with such stunning scenery.

Perhaps you would like to join in next year from 3 – 11 August 2019?

A beautiful morning for the final weekend’s sailing. The forecast southerly didn’t settle so racing was postponed for a while until a south westerly filled the bay. It proved to be a day of shifty winds that strengthened and swung more to the south as the afternoon went on. Indeed, for the third and final race of the day, the course took the fleets halfway down the southern end of the lake for the first time during the regatta. Despite the southerly, sailors had to contend with more shifty conditions.

No doubt there will be a final evening of dancing and celebrations through to the early hours, hopefully not dampened by the forecast rain which has held off for another day.

Just one race remains, and then it’ll be time to pack up before the weekend’s prizegiving.

Overnight showers have passed through but likely to continue throughout the day, but a good force 3 is forecast to keep the sailors happy. Just for a change the wind played tricks by blowing from the south instead of the forecast west, and then faded as the rain came back in. It seemed that the wind had settled to a southerly so after a 90 postponement a course was set, only for the westerly to kick in. Another rain shower killed the breeze for a while, then there was a brief squall that capsized a few boats. Quite a mix all in all.

By the 2nd race the rain had passed and the wind strengthened again- just the usual combination for the ladies, juniors and seniors race!

The third prize giving of the week will be held this evening before the live band keeps everyone entertained.

Fresher winds led to a few capsizes through the day, and the sun broke through for another glorious evening.

The RNLI pursuit was raced in the afternoon, with a Tera Sport leading the fleet for the first three legs until caught by the Mirrors who kept hold of it through to the end with Rob Cook and daughter Elizabeth taking the honours.