Sorry to ask this ahead of the 2006 Championships but have we firm Championship venues in 2007 and 2008?

Many thanks,

Chris

is P welly not on the list for 2007?

Bloody Wales again?

Whitstable 2008?

No.  Whitstable 2009.  Pwelly in 2007 and Looe 2008.  That's what the Year Book says (Page 23)

Gosh I best finish the boat then

Thanks for that. For some reason, I thought that Lyme Regis was in the frame in the next couple of years.

Best organise the grandparents for sandcastle duties at Looe1

Any ideas what the wife's, girlfriends, kids are going to do all day in P-Welly?

Correct me if I am wrong, the sailing there can be reasonable there but the place is a shit hole on par with Doncaster!

To add insult to injury the club is bland/characterless and the club staff convince you they're doing you a favour when serving you food/drink?

Other than packing the family off to Abersoch every day, I'd say options are limited and hance numbers will be down?

you cannot beat an anonymous constructive comment now can you!

I only want to stay anonymous because I greatly appreciate the hard work our committee do for us. (Plus I am coward and don't want to get my head shot off by them)

However, one must remember there are many people myself included that spend a significant amount of time and money sailing these boats and I personally think it is a wrong move to exclude families from major events. They are tommorows  Merlin sailors As the Warrens, Blakes, Scroggies, Perkins have proven)

I merely make the comment that P-welly is far from convenient or inviting from a family prospective and the class will feel the weight of this decision by way of numbers at the event! 

This is a terrible disappointing shame is it not?

Never been to P-Welly, but I guess the club must be twinned with Rutland.

Bet they even ban dogs from 100 metres from the club.

I love Rutland.

I love the way that they "especially put on a do for us".  17 quid a head.

Only to find ourselves making up numbers at the back of their hall for the spring ball or whatever it was called.

Alex did somewhat perk the event up by climbing the "you can't climb this pole" pole.  Legend

Hey Zak....no kids eh...shame!! Maybe I can get on with my Gravy Bone in peace....seriously, though..mum and dad are talking about going to the Parkstone ST in September..are we allowed at this one? If so hope to see you there!

Cheers, Deadly Dudley

If you don't want to upset the committee, then don't! If you don't want to go to P then that's fine, but why do you feel the need to encourage others not to as well? 

The committee that you greatly appreciate, would greatly appreciate it if you put your name forward and joined them so that you can put your carefully considered opinions at the meetings where these matters are discussed at some length.

(Viable) suggestions for alternative venues are always welcome, and as for low turnouts, wasn't P the scene of some of the largest class turnouts in history?

Mags, please can you let me know privately who this contributer is - I feel a recruitment drive coming on!

GGGGGG

Merlins in Garda ever on the cards?

I am continually amazed at some of the negative comments that are posted with regrds to the nationals. I seem to remember having to defend Hayling Island from a similar negative thread, but all those who actually bothered to go found it to be a wonderful venue. It was perfect for all the competitors and their families with wonderful beaches, clubhouse and social, not to mention the sailing. If my memory is correct the last time we went to Pwllheli we had the largest turnout ever with over 200 boats. I was there, only a small child, but I can still remember going on the steam train 30 odd years later. 

P.s.I am currently trying to organise a Silver Tiller event for spring/early summer next year so we can experience the venue first hand, and the friendly welcome from the Pwllheli locals

As for garda, Jill blake is doing a risk-assesment on the venue, to bring to committee.

I believe it gets a little windy in the afternoon....

Parkstone is a nice club and a nice place to sail and is as dog friendly as the norm, i.e. dogs in the car park/grounds is OK, and there are some bits of park and things to go walkies in. They didn't like me in the bar, but I stayed anyway, cause it was late and every one was pissed and didn't care any more.

I remember the Pwelly champs in 1974 for the spectacular sailing and the sandy beaches (they had a tractor to tow the boats through the sand dunes to the dinghy park).  My boys and their dad loved the steam train as well! The town and club were tatty in those days but when I went back to visit during the '98 Abersoch champs the whole place had been smartened up and there was even a marina.

Hayling was great. Never been to Pwllheli so the Silver Tiller idea sound a good idea.

link

All I wanted to know was whether the venues were firm in the calendar- apologies if the subject has developed far beyond the earlier query.

Chris

Thanks, Zak...my Dad's always pissed after sailing, one way or another!!

I can say, as a Committee Member, that these decisions are not taken at all likely. They are planned well in advance and an enormous amount of management and admin is required.  There is a balance between those that wish to have serious racing at serious venues and those that wish to accomodate the supporters in holiday surrounds.  It is difficult and exacerbated by a limited number of MR acceptable venues. 

I dont suppose PWelli is any more parochial than Abersoch.  Lets give it a go.  Less with the negative vibes, it shakes the boat.

It's basically the same water as Abersoch so should be a good sail if nothing else.

Never been there, but willing to try!

Re lake Garda ' a wonderful place to be a race officer . The wind blows from the north ,force 4-5 until 1230 stops for 30 mins and then rushes back again at 1300 . Race Officer finishes his Chianti at 1245 and set the course  ( which is always the same ) Food and drink superb - I hope Heaven is as good !!

I for one applaud the idea of going somewhere 'new'.  Having been to every champs since '98 there have been 6 venues in that time, so why not somewhere new?  Whitstable was great for those of us that went, apart from the wind, but at the time there was a consensus that there was nowhere to stay, so entries were down.  Hayling Island was similarly fantastic.  One of the best champs I ever did was in Penzance - a very long way, but well worth it when you got there.

As other people have said, the sailing venue must be one of the best in the UK.  I'm sure that accomodation will be sussed out by those organising and those of us who make the trip to the ST, and there are bound to be plenty of places to eat and drink.  Admittedly, I don't have to worry about family etc, but Pthwelli is, or was, known as a family holiday venue.  My only regret is that Butlins is no longer there.  I've never stayed in one, and probably never will, but the antics of yesteryear would have been put into context!

And good news for Megan, Zak and Dudley, unlike Rutland with their ridiculus rule that you dogs can't even sit in the car in the car park, Pwhelli is far more dog friendly and I can confirm that

"Dogs are allowed on site but not into the club.
 
We have a patio on the front and usually members sit outside with their dogs, we also provide drinking water for them."

And good news for Megan, Zak and Dudley, unlike Rutland with their ridiculus rule that you dogs can't even sit in the car in the car park, Pwhelli is far more dog friendly and I can confirm that

"Dogs are allowed on site but not into the club.
 
We have a patio on the front and usually members sit outside with their dogs, we also provide drinking water for them."

just a thought, if Pwhelli, is no good for kids and families, why are 300+ oppi's going there on friday???

For what it is worth, which may not be much! 
In my day the Championships were always held early before School Holidays which is why Salcombe Week became so popular and then begat Merlin Rocket Salcombe Week.
Pwhelli say what you like about Wales generally, the Welsh and Pwhelli and who doesn't! It is a superb piece of water to race on and that's the first consideration for a Championship, in 1970 there was no lack of good evening eateries for the 200+ boats and hangers on, The club put up very adequate marquees for apre yotting though they were not that much used.
Admittedly the immature had Butlins!
I believe very earnestly that the late Graham Donald was right and bear in mind when he was saying this Ranelagh put a lot of MR's and  National 12's on the water every winter weekend the tide was right!  When they were glassing over a tarting up the Ranelagh Clubhouse that when shore fascilities are too comfortable people don't sail. Within a few  years of the tarting it up Ranelagh hardly put a boat on the water it still doesn't!!!
Championship venues are hard to come by and just as I joined the class the behaviour had effectively got us banned from Torquay for ever, Weymouth followed A chum of mine who lives in Salcombe said that the off the water and on the water behaviour of the MR Class and hangers on had caused the "Grumpies" of Salcombe who live there to get an action group together to approach the Yacht Club...so watch out for squalls!
I really wonder why Poole is not on the Venue Menu in the 60's we had two very good well supported Championships there both (Off the Beach.). But then Dick Marshall who ran them was a former soldier and used the army for water, scaffolding to put the boats on and fence off the Dinghy park and his Radio Sandbanks as we rigged was better than Terry Wogan. 
I go to lots of regattas and the quality of the racing is pretty nearly in inverse relationship to the shore side stuff! Pet lovers (And I have two dogs.) really should think twice before taking any animal to a regatta, (that dreadful conflict of interest thing again.)but I understand kennels,walkers and minders are not that easy to find nor cheap. So take your choice party and holiday or race! Though both are possible!
It cannot be easy for any committee to think several years ahead and thus be commiting its succesors to the venues and the fall outs etc. I pity them.
No matter where we sail or race in what classes we should be grateful to those who give up their time that we may do so.

Please, please, please can we book Mounts Bay?

I know you have to book years and years in advance as it's so popular but why can we not do just that?  

And no, I'm not offering to organise it - been there done that...

Mounts Bay is a great idea and another Hayling island would be good too

Are we not going to Mounts Bay in 2010 already?

I heard Penzance was on the cards for 2010.  The other side of the bay to Mounts Bay - same sailing, but a fantastic club where everyone really tries to make it a fantastic week.  Think Looe.  Awesome!

How about a return to Exe???

Exe? Yes please. (Of course, NOTHING to do with the close proximity of my in-laws, you'll understand!)

Well we have been to champ event's in England, and Wales, What about Scotland???

Went there at Easter for the World's!

Great weekend..

GGGGGGG

Like William I am speechless at the crassly negative comments made by someone above.

As organiser of the 2007 Championships (12th – 17th August), I visited Pwllheli in May with Mike Anslow and I don’t recognise your description of the venue - or the Club – you are clearly one  confused puppy. 

In terms of activities for your family/girlfriends/kids, maybe the Snowdonia National Park, beaches of the Lleyn Peninsula, Festiniog Mountain Railway, Harlech Castle, Portmerion, Cob Records in Porthmadog etc. are less gripping than watching you make your way around the course? If so, I suggest you cut your losses & pack them off to some Spanish Costa. 

And just who is “…excluding families from major events…” ????

And thank you for insulting the home of our host club and its staff. 

For the record, Pwllheli is every bit as nice a place as Whistable, Hayling Island, Tenby, Abersoch, and numerous other Champs venues. Personally, I go for the racing & company – if you are that bothered about the aesthetics of your vacation surroundings, I suggest you take up butterfly hunting on a South Pacific island…

Ultimately, don’t take it from me. Pwllheli (note the spelling) Sailing Club is an established racing venue & host of World, European & National Championships for everything from Oppies to 1720’s – all season long.

Seeing the facilities, it’s not hard to see why. The Club House is large, fully equipped & modern. Ellie Bremer even tells me there is under-floor heating in the changing rooms. The dinghy park is fully secured and a short trolley pull down to a sheltered sandy clean beach for launching into clear water. 

In the PSC office hangs a large framed photo of the record-breaking start line in the 1970’s Merlin Champs. I doubt if we’ll reach those numbers in 2007 but those 200+ Merlin’s seemed perfectly happy with the venue.

Well said Martin.

All those going, have a fantastic time. Hope the weather stays good as well!

I have been to Pwllheli and quite liked it. Must say i was not planning to come next year but given the venue i may well do.

I agree with GGGGG that if you have a problem either shut up or join the committee.

When are this years Nationals?

Tenby.......starting tomorrow!!!!

As I recall, all anyone wanted from a championship organiser was a venue easy to get to with good power showers, bar, food, veranda, overlooking the race course, club house, boat storage and easy launching.  Good cheap parking, accommodation and beer.  A museum, art galleries, trendy cloth shops for the wife.  Endless golden beaches with kid’s entertainment.  Restaurants with good service, not to expensive, coffee shops, nice little café to get your breakfast in right next door to the sailing club.  Pubs, night clubs and general entertainment for returning sailors.  A perfect course with a perfect line and non shifting wind unless your on the right side of the wind shift. And of course the wind should be a constant 3-4 but light with a bit of 4-5 through out the week with sun at all times.  There should be evening entertainment available which no one will tell you they want to go to until the very last second at which point you must be able to accommodate everyone to their satisfaction.  And finally any championship organiser must be prepared to guarantee the divine happiness of all competitors, families and the venue.  Oh and the venue has to be unique with local ambiance and welcoming to a lot of rowdy Merlin sailors.

So really I don’t see why you all find it so difficult to choose championship locations.

You forgot the craiche; (And I do not mean a collision between two motor cars on Morningside in Edinburgh!;) The dog walking service with kennels on site and the childrens entertainer!
It's not an easy task is it, that you - (Former assistant organiser.)- can still make a serious but amusing point is a tribute. The 12's used to go to the NE Coast Scarborough in particular, never been there what's it like? I know it has  fair and theatres etc., our Nanny took the children there one year they loved it.

No one has mentioned Weymouth. Probably the best sailing venue in the UK.

Certainly one of the best, but wasn't there a ban by the Royal Dorset in the 1960's? Though the new Olymic Sailing Centre probably wouldn't know but its terribly impersonal probably doesn't do dogs or children maybe not even non-competitors! Crackin' bit of water though.

The Royal Dorset that was is now a trendy wine bar and nightclub. Great sand and holes to be dug!!

'99 Merlin Champs were held at Weymouth.Test bed for 4 day event. Venue from all accounts excellent. 4 days championships did not go down too well!

Sad about the Royal Dorset; but time passes; things change. I would guess that getting beaches fenced off for Dinghy Parks is getting more and more controversial and of course Car Parking is more and more Draconian. Though it was always thus the Parking Tickets at the 1966 MR Champs at Weymouth would have paid for a lot of boats!

Having just returned from Pwllheli to watch the start of the Optimist nationals (Pwllheli hosted them last year with a turnout of 350 boats) I can understand why this venue is chosen the organisation was fantastic, a great beach and great water. As for something to do:

Ffestiniog railway
Electric mountain
Snowdonia
Abersoch

All not too far away.

Butlins is great as long as you disconnect the piped music in the chalets and have plenty of halfcrowns for the electricity meter.

For an update on the Butlins site near Pwllheli - this is now part of the Haven Holidays set-up.  Have a look at their website for details and prices.  You could even make your Champs booking now!

For Haven Holidays see: -

http://www.havenholidays.com/Parks/wales/hafanymor/?pageid=tcm:9-17168-64&linkname=parklist

I think it is a shame that someone feels stronly enough to feel frustration about a venue and not say who they are.  

It is also a shame that when ssomeone shows an opinion that isn't agreable with the majority of 'put up with it, Englishmen' They get shot down. 

So giving the fact that I will also get shot down, I will stay anonymous.  

On a scale of 1 to 10, I thought Tenby was a 5.  for the following reasons.

1) Not enough space to put the boats in the boat park due to the marquee.

2) Decision to race so early before the breeze had a chance to settle was an absolute farce.

3) The club is far too small to cater for such a big event.

4) Last 2 races, with so much tide, why set a line with so much bias as to cause problems?

5) One race only lasted 1hr 5 mins.

Don't get me wrong, there was a lot of good things about the Nationals, but when you spend the best part of £1000 for a week, - entry, accom, food, drink, sails etc. You would expect something a little better.  Lets be honest, If this was a tour operator, this would be on watchdog.!

My best champs for ages.Tenby rules

Anon, it is not the fact that people express dissent that cause the irritation, it is the lack of guts to do it openly, hiding behind some spurious pseudonym, that winds people up!

I really don't see the need for this; all members of the committee are utterly approachable, and if you have valid criticism and can justify it, by all means speak up.

The management of racing at any level is largely a matter of compromise; the racing at Tenby was programmed to start at 11.30 - itself a compromise because some of the race committee wanted 11, and some wanted 12.  On Wednesday, the start was on time and the wind moderated from really quite windy (average wind speed 20 kts)to perfectly sailable (average wind speed 17 kts) at about the time of the start.

Had the wind been lighter, it would have been perfectly possible that there was wind in the morning, which dropped off by the scheduled start time, in which case, no doubt you would have complained that it was a farce and the racing should have started earlier.

Make valid criticism by all means; do it openly and impartially; make the effort to understand the variables that were being juggled, and be fair.  Otherwise, yes, shut up, or be shot down.

GGGGGGGG

Been to Tenby 4 times now in three classes.  I love it and think that it is one of the best venues for a championship of that type in the country.  I would have given last week a ten except for two valid comments made above:
1.  The dinghy park was a shambles, not anybody at fault here apart from the council, but a mess nonetheless.
2. I thought that Blake (the PRO) had a couple of bad moments, and probably went for caution too far once or twice.

Altogether a great week at a very friendly club with a friendly class. I know about 100 more Merlin sailors than I did 10 days ago.  Looking forward to the Inlands.

Antony

I agree with Anthony Gifford but will not be at the Inlands. Have now attended Tenby in four different classes and have yet to have a bad experience on the race course or on the shore management front. Definitely one to keep in the rotation. What may be worth looking at is the closeness of Salcombe to the Nationals. On another point if we only go where we always get a high attenance you may find that if you follow this route to the extreme you will end up with only 3 venues. Now that would be very boring. Pleased to see some things (values) do not change. See you soon.

Excellent week - thanks everyone.

Interesting comments.  I would rely to Anthonies by saying that on Mon the whole of the race Committee were on the water and decided that the wind direction was such to potentially cause lots of problems and damage for launching and being early in the week we would not have been thanked by those with fixed rudders. Also the forecast did not predict any improvements in the Force 6 NNE wind.
On the Wed there was a PanPan warning from the Coastguard of strong winds in Carmarthen bay while we were laying the course and we felt that we could not ignore the warning and take 62 Merlins 2 miles out to sea. We therefore laid an inshore course with the Gybe in a sheltered position and reduced the area for rescue cover to about .6 of normal. Maybe there should be provision in the sailing instructions to add a round or two.

That would explain the small course. Thought it was purely for a wind strength point of view. On the point of number of rounds, my thoughts are that it should be A or B (finish style) with the number of rounds displayed on the committee boat which is the norm in most classes. Blake, in differcult conditions thought the courses good though would have liked tighter reaches but with our sail configuration (3579) may have been penalised even more by the more powerful rigs of 2005+ sail cuts. However as said before we did in enjoy the week, especially the atmosphere generated at the club.
Bye for now

being largely ignorant about unconfined waters, I think Blake did a great job in keeping us secure and racing.

pseudonym: Puddle duck.

Well done Blake.

Blake,
These are roughly the answers that I expected. I think that from the perspective of the competitors a notice to explain some of this would have been helpful.  There was a degree of 'gossip' on the shore that a note of explanation would have quickly quashed.  From my perspective nothing really detracted from another excellent Tenby champs.

Antony

Since someone asked; Weymouth is still worth considering for a future venue. The club is (generally) positive about continuing to host a silver tiller, but the main prob with a championship is managing the number of competitors. The local authority no longer allow use of the beach, and the sailing academy tends to be more focussed on international events. So we would have to find a way of dealing congestion in the yard, slipway and river. Tricky, but worth discussion. 

PS The Royal Dorset didn't look much like a trendy wine bar three days ago.

Castle Cove (Weymouth)has worked well for the N12's as long as you can persuade the race committee to sasil outside the harbour.

Were you looking at the Old Royal Dorset on Weymouth seafront or where thay moved to on the quay wall?

The Wayfs are going to Weymouth in a week's time but there is a limit of 50 - no good for the wider merlins

What about Lyme Regis...we were down there at the weekend and it is super!

Nothing wrong with Lyme Regis - super place, but car parking? Boat parking? Mountaineering up the streets? Affordable accomodation withing a walk?
Championship venues are always up for discussion I guess one’s view depends on the sort of week you had on and off the water. Wherever is under discussion. 
It was ever thus.
It’s not just a UK problem, it’s global, the pressure on the facilities of suitable sea side or inland places increases, where one may go for “Fresh air and fun” increases. What is called diversity means less for more so no longer can one fence off beaches commandeer areas of car park. This is why (If it was not so elitist the Weymouth Regatta Centre was such a good idea.) The Dutch have no problems being able to use areas beside their vast inland seas and flat land means steady winds,the shallow warermeans long seas and superb surfing, the only Inland Sea that has relatively flat all round and is big enough is Grafham Water. Why not? Probably a million reasons. But I can’t think of any except possibly GWSA wouldn’t do it!
We are encouraged to think laterally is Holland maybe “Medemblik” (Fantastic fascilities; own car/boat parking all on site, steady winds long waves for surfing off.)is not such as silly idea given cheap ferries, good and cheap accommodation camp sites etc., and the high cost of fuel (Trailer miles!) The cost of everything else too, in the motherland. Holland is still relatively inexpensive. Holland also paid a small part in the development of Merlin Rigs in the early 60’s – long since superseded, but at the time it seemed important.

Now there's a thought ....The Merlin Rocket Europeans.

Has a much better ring to it don't you think!?

May be we could have the europeans at Lake Garda

All I'd say is, nice place but wind all over the place and given to local serious squalls, (Big hills all round.), a lot more trailer miles and an expensive venue. Other than that.

What about Salcombe ?
Ok you'd have to sail out to sea a bit but with the right tides it would be easier than say Poole or Exmouth. 
A little expensive but plenty for the family to do, weather permitting.
I for one wouldn't mind going twice in a year or maybe a 2 week event ?

A couple of years ago I sailed in the X99 Worlds out of Medemblink - it was fantastic, great pub too - plus freshwater... It's an awesome venue.  Ask Pat Blake.

It was mentioned before that Salcombe's tides are such that it would be unsuitable for a champs out to sea there - always only one way to go up the beat I think?

Poole only a sensible place straight off the beach, those who did PBOSA regattas in the 60's have no fond memories of drifting past the chain ferry. Good launching off the beach but no doubt "the great levelling down" means that one cannot get exclusive access to a bit of the beach now.

They have dumped TONS of really nice quality clean sand on Poole beach recently. I highly recommend it for anyone with kids, its worth a 2hr drive just for the day.
But no way would I want to pull a trolley through it!

OK - I'd agree Garda is a long way - so the original question was where for the nationals - I really enjoyed Falmouth (out in the bay) a few years back - don't think the Merlins have been there?

Bogner Regis...?

Bogner Regis...?

Merlins have been to Famouth at least once 1968 trouble with Falmouth Bay aside from the very long sail and these days convoluted traffic system and no-where to park boats is the beats get split because of a ridge underwater mid bay that a cuses an overfall of rough water and means its left or right and only one will be even nearly the right way. Merlins may have been back since 68?

Even Bognor Regis!
But where to park 50 boats beach can be a bit lively in a brisk S Westerly.

Could use Mylor for the boats - I think a lot of dingies go there on Falmouth week - agree long way to the start - not had too much experience of the ridge but it does get bumpy. More venues? Hartlepool, Troon, Mounts Bay, Torquay?

Torbay is a terrible place to sail and currently is not one on the list however Penzance has been booked for 2010 (sail in mounts bay) and we are keen on finding a few more alternative locations. The problem we have is they have to tick all the right boxes, as well as good sailing conditions, facilities and race management we also need a family friendly environment with plenty of affordable accommodation. Saying that Hayling was slagged off to high heaven when it was announced as a venue and I think all would agree it was one of the best champs ever. So perhaps you should have more faith in your committee and leave it to them, saying that new suggestions are always welcome.

Falmouth Week is raced inside, not out in the bay. It has very little to amuse families and during the summer is full of unemployed louts and lotesses who find their Giros go further there! It is not a "Doggy" town in this I am very certain. "Cromwell" did not like it at all!
Torbay beyond the Merlin History is as our other correspondent says a lousy place to sail and again you are looking at Limited Boat Parking and a days march to the car park!
Alex is right it's not easy looking 4-5 years ahead by which time costs will (If we Get Gordon Brown as PM.) have spiralled upwards, the 'elf 'n' safety requirements will not get less, the Committte need to accept input - feedback even if umgraciously put as that, they are hopefully doing the general will of the class and unpaid and to the detriment of their own spare time. It behoves those of us who post to remember that and to try to be positive and rcognise their work on behalf of the class, and its sailors and non sailors too.

EXE!!!

The Brightlingsea team are running the Fireball champs 2007

As part of the 'Perkins' clan but unfortunately an Ex Merlin sailor now, I have just returned from the Optimist Nationals at Pwllheli. I had an 8 and 14 year old in the fleet of 360. The venue was superb and very Children friendly. The organization could not have been better and we had a great week. This was my 4th trip to Pwllheli with the Oppies and the second year in succession that we have had the Nationals there.I know i may be a bit biased with our Welsh connection but I am sure you will not be disapppointed.
PS Hope to see be able to see old friends in Jersey next year for 150th Gorey Regatta!!

Hi Rhys,
Thanks for your support for Pwllheli - I too am a fan.
My parents and I were in at the very begining of the club, it was a 'sailing' club then based at Gimlet Rock before the Marina was built.
In those days it was a small friendly club - in contrast to the rather self important SCYC at Abersoch.
We always had the best water and now it is nice to see it running such major events - it is clearly become one of the top sailing centres in the UK.
Jilly and I were wondering where all the Oppy families stayed. Were you in hotels/B&Bs, camping or at the Haven Holiday Camp? Any inside information on this would be most helpful to pass on to our class.

Re Jersey - We are up for that too! Make sure Willy Warren leaves a space in the diary and we will be there.

I am sorry that the Ancient Geek has such a low opinion of Falmouth as a championship venue and this thread is the first I have heard of a ridge under Falmouth Bay affecting the courses here. I sailed in 3 of the 4 Merlin champs at Falmouth and apart from the regrettable double booking of the prizegiving with the Darby and Joan club and one prematurely shortened last race, they have been considered successful. Falmouth has an advantage over nearly all other venues in that, if the winds are too strong in the bay, there is a large stretch of sheltered water in the Carrick Roads on which to race. There is ample dinghy parking nowadays at Restronguet SC.
Whilst writing I should correct a possible misunderstanding about the Weymouth ban. It was not imposed by the Royal Dorset YC. 
After an altercation involving a small minority of competitors and one or more bouncers at the prize giving in 1966, the then chairman of the MROA Robert Lee Warner, was asked to meet representatives of Weymouth Council to discuss the alleged bad behaviour. He invited the Commodores of HRSC and SMYC and myself as Secretary to accompany him.
After a frank exchange of views the Commodores apologised on behalf of their club members and we were told politely that we would not be invited back. I don't recall any length of ban being specified. 
Subsequently we returned for an excellent championships 9 years later and again in 1980, 88, 93 and 99. Considering that we used to plan on a 6 or 7 year venue cycle the ban didn't really have much impact.

My 14 year old son William came to Falmouth with Martin Evans and me in 1979. While we were out sailing he had a ball and thought Falmouth was a great place for kids.

I seem to recall a certain someone was planning a mission to get shoreham on the champs list.... only problem is accommodation...

All I need is a field or carpark, a tap, and a sewer hole. 
Or you could have several tents up on a field to rent? short stagger no taxi's required.

Is there any reason why the champs are always at sea venues?
Merlins are very versatile boats and were not initially designed for the sea.
I would have thought that the venue should be rotated between sea, open and restricted (with a sea champs in the years the champs are not at sea).

We already have a  restricted 'champs' at Salcombe, and the Inland champs at an 'open' location. So your proposal would only be semantics surely. (not intending to offend you)

I absolutely agree.
All the events we need are already there and the ST also visits all types of venue with a requirement to include one of each type.
We could then rotate the name of the official national championships (where boats are weighed etc) between the 3 types of venue. This would give a high nationals attendance when it is at Salcombe although restricted entry and other issues may cause problems.
Just an idea.
...but why are the nationals at sea?

I thought that all classes held their National Championships at a sea venue, and their Inlands Championships at Inland waters.

Brian - I do believe you have hit upon a reasonably good idea.  I am certain however, it will be pooh pooed and derided to the rafters.

I did a Firefly nationals at Restronguet in 1996, lots of weed, tide and moorings to negotiate-terrible.Pwelhei firefly nationals in 1993 were excellent, best sailing area in the uk and they now have a club house.recollections of off water facilities sketchy. Can we have an open their if northerners and midlanders commit Morecambes a nice place.

Indebted to Tony Lane for adding clarity to Weymouth; as he says it didn't seem to make much difference.
Didn't David Robinson win a Championships Sailed at Shoreham?
I do not have an especially lwe opinoin of Falmouth per-se but I have no happy memories of one Merlin and three other Championships there either, and the difficult traffic systems on shore, long sails to get to sea, anyone remembering the first race at the 1968 Championships inside would not favour that again, and the physical situation of the Royal Cornwall make for convoluted arrangements. The ridge in the sea bed throws of a substantial "Ripple" and (I'm no geologist nor hydrographer.)may have been caused by the confluence of The Fal & Helford Rivers it looks like that on the chart! Having said all that I do not envy Championship Venue "Scouts"; there can be no reason beyond Deeds of Gift of Trophies why Championships cannot be sailed inland on suitable areas though there are precious few of those in the UK.

"its not to far to Shoreham love...." - watch out for the Pwllheli summer Silver Tiller taster for the Nationals in the 2007 fixtures list....

I've been down at the RS200 nats this week (with the van - working!!) at Exe. They've coped with 130 boats very well with all boats parked in the club boat park. All social events took place in the roomy clubhouse and with B&Bs aplenty, camping and trailer parking less than 5mins walk away on the rugby field it was a very compact event with all competitors being very close to the club. Phil Morrison was PRO and ran a very good regatta.
When are we going to Exe???

I have very unhappy memories of the last Exe champs (1995?).  We were unlucky with a very light wind event.  3 hours to the start, 3 hours racing and 3 hours to get back.  We even ran aground mid channel on the way out.  Rumour had it Spud got his tides wrong when choosing the week!
Following that there was a very strong view in the class that we should only go to venues where it is relatively easy to get to the racing area. However that view may have changed over the years.

It depends what you want in your championship, since I stopped racing Merlin Rocket's I have been used to racing either directly out of the harbour on to the course (Scandinavia and Holland.) or spending all day at sea.(Southern Europe.) Both are good as a solution though one has to watch loo needs especially where Lady Crews are required! A high ruffage breakfast is contra-indicated too!
I guess ones view of any venue is how much one enjoyed the racing if you did not; for whatever reason reach your personal goals, or enjoy your sailing (Which is why you are there!) you'll blame everything from the place, the club: to the PRO to GOD!
Championships are now very expensive to enter (The Merlin Rocket Class gets it cheap!)and no-one wants to feel the trip wasted, thank your lucky stars you do not yet have crews demanding very large sums of money and food and accomodation to crew. (Personally I take a view that some may by happy (Like sex.) to pay personally I've never had to pay for either a crew or sex but some seem happy to do so!)

Most boats sailling at EXE can slip over the top of the sand bar and out to sea for six hours of a tide cycle.  MR with their fixed rudders do not have this luxury thus making it a long way to the race area.  Have you considered teignmouth?

just back from the 400 nationals (you dont need to look at the results) 

I have to say that Mounts Bay is superb - nothing to complain about - except that they need to get a decent real ale into the bar before we (well you) go