Welcome to the website for Southwold Model Yacht Regattas, or SMYR.

2025 Season starts this Bank Holiday!

With the arrival of the May half-term, its time to start sailing again! Our season will begin with the May Regatta and May Cup and Norwich and Peterborough Trophy on Monday 26th May. Racing starts at 2pm but please come to register in advance from 1pm – and give yourselves time for a good practice and to find your ‘sea legs’ again after the winter! NO entries are required, just show up and register on the day.

As always there are boats to borrow from the club – this informal regatta is the perfect chance to give sailing a go if you have never done it before!

The summer holiday regattas then begin on Wednesday 23rd July. Please see the table below for the dates of all 2025 regattas.

Some more general information on the regattas can be found below. Do keep in touch – click on the contact us page above to send us a message, or find us on Facebook @southwoldmodelyachtregattas  

2025 SEASON DATES
Monday 26 May 2:00pm Spring Regatta – all entries taken at the pond on the day – including the May Cup and Norwich and Peterborough trophies for B and C Class (sailors aged 16 and under)
Wednesday 23 July 2:00pm Pick-Up Regatta – all entries taken at the pond on the day
Saturday 26 July 2:00pm First Regatta – including the Pout Cup (classes B and C)
Wednesday 30 July 1:00pm Second Regatta – including the Family Relay Race, and the Quincentenary Salver for Beach Yawls
Saturday 2 August 10:30am and 2pm Cups Regatta – Golden Jubilee Cup for adult sailors, De Lacroix Rosebowl for homemade boats, Sole Bay Bell for boats 32” to 36”, Cripps Cup for ‘Beat and Run’
    6:30pm Annual General Meeting – venue to be announced 
Wednesday 6 August 1:00pm Third Regatta – including the Collett Cup for Veteran Yachts, and the St Edmund’s Cup for Burgee winners of the previous season 
Wednesday 13 August 10:15am Fourth Regatta
    2:00pm Annual Regatta: Nigel Boult trophy for new boats, Class A, B and C Championships, Waveney Shield, Commodore’s Invitation Race
Wednesday 20 August 2:00pm Final Regatta – an informal regatta to round off the season. All entries taken at the pond on the day.

General information:

Model yachts have been sailed competitively in Southwold for well over 125 years. It is tremendous fun, easy to get the hang of, and something all ages and abilities can enjoy.

Only hand-adjusted sailing boats are allowed (no radio controls or motors) of hull length 15 to 36 inches inclusive.

Regattas take place at the boating lake north of the pier, next to the tea room.

There is no membership requirement, and we are always keen to welcome new sailors. If you have never sailed before, you are very welcome to borrow a boat from the club. 

All regattas except the Cups Regatta involve boats of every kind and sailors of any age and any/no experience – so anyone can have a go! A handicapping system is used which ensures everyone, even a total beginner, has a very good chance of prizes. 

Throughout the season there are various cups and trophies aimed at specific types of boat or sailor age-group. The categories are set out in the table above, and more detailed information can be found on the Current Season page, or contact us with any queries.

If you want to sail, do contact us in advance of regatta days to be sure of booking a boat – and it is then advisable to have a practice with your boat for a good 20 or 30 minutes before the start.

You can also find us on Facebook @southwoldmodelyachtregattas 

See you at ‘the pond’!