2008 Nationals
The 2008 Tornado Nationals will be hosted by the Mumbles Yacht Club on 5th-8th September 08. The Mumbles Yacht Club is located just West of Swansea and is locally known as the gateway to the Gower Peninsular. Many of it’s members are experienced and qualified in Race/Safety management and there is also a large contingent of keen volunteers who act as a friendly and reliable support team. Over the past 50yrs Mumbles Yacht Club has been a popular choice for Catamaran and Dinghy World, European, National and Weekend Regattas.
All the racing will take place in the confines of Swansea Bay. The prevailing winds are South Westerly and the Bay is usually well protected from the Atlantic swells by the Mumbles Head. Due to this the sea state can remain relatively flat and the wind isn’t too shifty either!! However, there are some local phenomena due to a couple of valleys positioned around the Bay. The wind can often funnel down these valleys producing areas of higher pressure which can be advantageous to those who can spot such benefits. The races will be taking place during a Neap tide cycle so the currents will be negligible and therefore wont effect a racers strategy. However, in saying all this if the wind blows from any Easterly direction then everything apart from the current is the opposite. Launching and recovery is usually easy as the two concrete slips are in the lee of the land, again it only becomes more challenging when the wind is blowing onshore (Easterly). The boat park itself is all tarmac and is shared with a Coffee shop and Ice cream parlour, so you take your choice of refreshment dependant on the conditions.
As for the Clubhouse those of you who have sailed in Holland will be disappointed to learn that it has two changing rooms!!! One for each sex. There is also a Galley which will be serving breakfasts and evening meals during the event and not forgetting a Bar and Pool table. Mumbles itself also offers numerous other shops, pubs and restaurants to suit various tastes. There is also a Yacht chandlers should you have forgotten something or just wish to tinker. Should you have any further queries or news in regard to this event then please don’t hesitate to contact us.