SW.ITCH, a steppingstone to getting involved in Classic Keelboat Racing.
The Swallow class always have great opportunities for newcomers to get involved. Crews are always welcome to join the fleet, but again for 2026, the Swallows are offering SW.ITCH26, an easy stepping stone to racing your own Classic Keelboat.
Successful applicants, who only need dinghy racing experience, will be found one of these wonderful twenty six foot classic day racing keelboats and be able to take part in the whole of the Itchenor racing season along with opportunities to enter other events in the Harbour and at Cowes.
The Swallow is a particularity responsive boat to sail but also looks after its sailors when conditions get lively. With these characteristics the class has long been described as the Dinghy Racer’s keelboat. With its easily accessible south coast sailing available at all states of the tide, Itchenor Sailing Club has a reputation for top class racing and unrivalled socials providing a great way to enjoy the Summer.
The class will even provide you with a mentor to support you as you get to know your Swallow and the beautiful Chichester Harbour. This way you will soon be up to speed in this competitive fleet. With SW.ITCH the step up to keelboat racing becomes a realistic possibility.
Please apply giving brief details of your experience to the Class Chairman, at the contact below, and in no time, you could be part of this exceptional community.
Do you know someone who is maybe just beginning to think of a new sailing challenge as their dinghy racing career slows down, or perhaps their “weekend job” of supporting their children’s sailing is becoming manageable or has an end in sight at last? If so, we have a plan to help them to dip their toe into the wonderful world of Swallow Sailing at Itchenor without requiring a firm commitment to join a syndicate or buy a boat on day one.
For SW.ITCH24 the Swallow class will lend a competitive Swallow to a group for the entire 2024 season at ISC including the opportunity to compete in Cowes Classics Week. With a programme of over 120 races on offer just at home, a group of five or six will be able to enjoy as much, or as little, sailing as they like, and the shared running cost (about £600 each for the whole season shared between six, including race fees) will not break the bank.
The Swallow fleet is now “The place to be” for dynamic keelboat sailing at ISC. We have a number of young teams, and a new boat joined the fleet this year in what is already a competitive fleet giving great racing at all levels. So, if you are interested, or know someone who might be, please contact Mike Wigmore at nationalswallowclass@gmail.com