Aug 24, 2025
Taste of Greystones Regatta 2025 – A Weekend of Wind, Water, and Warm Welcomes
The BJ Marine Taste of Greystones Regatta, held on the 24th and 25th of August 2025, was a spectacular celebration of sailing, community, and coastal charm. Hosted by Greystones Sailing Club, the event drew over 140 boats from across the east coast, making it one of the most vibrant regattas of the season.
Sailors were treated to perfect conditions, with steady winds and sunshine setting the stage for competitive racing across four fleets. Race Officer Mark Usher ran a flawless program, delivering three races over the weekend—one on Saturday and two on Sunday—with a discard applied in each division to keep the competition tight.
Class 1
Barry Cunningham’s J109 Chimaera from the Royal Irish Yacht Club led from the front, winning the opening two races to finish on two points net. Second was Frank Whelan’s Crazy Diamond on four points, while Jonathan Bourke’s J109 Dear Prudence took third with a race win on Sunday. Ten boats competed.
Class 2
Victory went to John Conlon’s Humdinger, a Jeanneau Sunfast 37, with two race wins to finish on two points. Second was Paul Wafer’s Beneteau 31.7 Attitude on three points, followed by Joe Taylor’s Beneteau First 27.7 No Brakes in third on six points. Nine boats raced.
Class 3
J24 designs filled the top two places on the podium as Conor Haughton's Jupiter Race Team from nearby Wicklow Sailing Club secured the Class 3 crown with back-to-back wins on Sunday, finishing on two points net. Snoopy’s J placed second with three points, and Paddy Blackley’s Hunter Formula 1, Usain Boat was third on six. Fourteen competed.
Class 4
Johnnie Phillips’ Elan 333 Playtime won Class 4 with victories in races one and three to finish on two nett points. Second went to Kieron O’Byrne’s Impala 28 Huntress on four points, with Eamonn Doyle’s Dehler 36SQ Shearwater also on four but placed third on countback. Twenty-two boats raced.
But the regatta wasn’t just about racing—it was a full weekend experience. Participants enjoyed dinner and entertainment on Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday, and generous goody bags filled with vouchers from local businesses. The atmosphere was lively both on and off the water, with sailors and spectators alike soaking up the festive spirit.
Greystones Sailing Club extended heartfelt thanks to its volunteers, sponsors, and visiting crews, promising an even bigger and better event in 2026. As the boats sailed home, they carried not just trophies, but memories of a weekend filled with camaraderie, competition, and coastal hospitality.
Aug 12, 2025
RS200 and Feva Nationals at GSC
Greystones Sailing Club played host to an action-packed weekend (10–11 August) for the RS200 and RS Feva fleets, drawing 17 RS200s and 26 RS Fevas to the east coast for their National Championships. The combination of lively breezes, strong race management, and tight competition made for a memorable regatta.
Day 1 – Westerly Power
Saturday served up a westerly wind of 15–25 knots, delivering fast, spray-filled reaches and challenging gybes. Race Officer Barry O’Neill and his team kept things running smoothly, firing off three races back-to-back. With gusts punching into the high twenties at times, boat handling was at a premium, and the day rewarded those who could balance speed with control.
Day 2 – Tactical Sunday
On Sunday, the wind shifted to the south and moderated to 10–18 knots, bringing more tactical racing and frequent shifts. Four more races were sailed, giving a full seven-race series. Consistency became key, with the podium decided by who could best adapt to the new conditions while managing risk in the crowded start lines.
The 26-boat Feva fleet was a blend of youth, sibling, and parent/child teams, producing a weekend of tight racing.
Emily & Annabel Ridout were the standout performers, taking the overall championship despite a Black Flag disqualification in one race.
In the Parent/Child division, Matthew and Peter Ridout claimed top honours and second overall, followed by Martha and Ross Nolan in third overall.
RS Feva Overall Top 3:
1. Emily Ridout / Annabel Ridout
2. Jessica Dadley-Young / Sally Nixon
3. Seán Hanley and Cian Hanley
RS200 Nationals
The 17-strong RS200 fleet delivered equally close-fought racing, but the title went to a team that combined speed with ruthless consistency.
RS200 Overall Top 3 (all from GSC):
1. Marty O’Leary & Andy Verso / Kevin O’Rourke – 8 pts
2. Tom Moran / Sarah Hoolahan – 11 pts
3. Cian Swan / Caoimhe Swan – 15 pts
O’Leary, Verso & O’Rourke’s scoreline of four race wins and never outside the top three in counted races set them apart, while Moran & Hoolahan stayed in the hunt with two race wins of their own. The Swans rounded out the podium, starting strongly with a win in Race 3.
The success of the weekend was down to the slick operation of Barry O’Neill and the Greystones SC race team, the tireless safety crews, and the shore volunteers. Seven races in varied conditions made for a true championship test — and a memorable event for all who took part.
GSC has been rebuilding its RS fleet over the last couple of years, with a particular focus on transitioning its strong Feva fleet into the pathway RS200. Now with 14 200s sailing in the club (10 took part in nationals) there are more due to join next season.
May 12, 2025
Greystones Sailors Shine at Eastern’s Sailing Event in Dun Laoghaire
Last weekend, twelve of our dedicated sailors took part in the exciting two-day Eastern’s sailing event, hosted by the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire. Held across Saturday, and Sunday, the event saw strong competition, great camaraderie, and some impressive results from our Greystones team.
The fleet was split into two divisions: Gold and Silver.
In the Gold Fleet, Lewis and Roddy secured a solid 6th place, while Nate and Max came in 11th, closely followed by Sean and Cian in 12th.
In the Silver Fleet, Madison and Erin sailed brilliantly to take 3rd place, with Matilda and Freja finishing just behind in 4th—a fantastic achievement!
A special mention goes to Callum and Levi, who made a big effort to compete on the first day, even though they couldn’t attend the second. Well done on showing real commitment and determination.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ailis Walsh, Keela McConnell and Fionnán Gallagher Kilbane for providing safety support throughout the event.
This was a great turnout for Greystones Sailing Club, with our sailors proudly representing and flying the flag with spirit and sportsmanship. Well done to all involved!