Happening at the same time as the Falmouth International Shanty Festival will be the Falmouth Classics Sailing Regatta.
The event is the largest in the UK for ‘classic’ vessels, (that have been designed or built before 1976). Typically they are of wooden construction with a traditional layout of sails although modern vessels that replicate an older design also participate.
Before and after the racing you will be able to see them tied up alongside the marina off North Quay (part of Customs House Quay) and around 10:00am on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday they will be leaving their berths to assemble in Carrick Roads, (just off the main Falmouth Docks), to commence racing on Thursday and Friday. See the Programme of Events and details on entering to race, for those wishing to compete.
On Sunday morning, however, there is the Classic Parade of Sail when participating boats and many visitors from around Falmouth, all join together to ‘parade’. Their course will take them from the Docks towards Pendennis Castle, across to St Mawes Castle then back towards Mylor. This year’s theme will be ‘above the water’ and you will see that many of the crews will be in fancy dress, reflecting this theme.
There will also be a small boat parade which will take place on the water by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and Greenbank Hotel when the racing has finished on Saturday, and a ‘all-comers’ rowing and sculling event will also be held.
You can get up close to the fleet as the pontoons are open to the public on North Quay between 2.30pm and 5.00pm on Saturday, and you can watch the on-water action from various locations including Pendennis Point, Trefusis Point, (Flushing) or St.Mawes Castle. The Small boat Parade and Rowing and sculling are best viewed from the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. Also on Customs House Quay will be the Maritime Village where many organisations try to entice you towards maritime themed produce and activities.
More information can be found at www.falmouthclassics.org.uk
