#scottishseries – After a number of big drops in attendance at Scotland's premier sailing event, the Clyde Cruising Club (CCC) is surveying sailors to improve the set up for the 2015 Scottish Series to be sailed at Tarbert, Loch Fyne from May 25th. In a questionnaire released by the CCC the club says: 

'At the Clyde Cruising Club we are very proud of our headline annual event Scottish Series. We are however very aware that times keep changing as do the desires and requirements of our "customers" especially given greater demands on peoples time.

We would like to gather as much feedback on our event as possible therefore we have created a small survey and ask that as many Scottish Series participants past and present (or potential participants) complete it. We have deliberately not prepared a tick box questionnaire so as to not have leading questions. So that it will not take long to complete and as we also only have limited time in which to read them all we would ask that you keep responses short and succinct....

All the questions refer to a specific part of the regatta; venue, social, racing etc.

Please give feedback on what could be done to improve each aspect, why it would improve it and what do you not like about the current set up. We will try and take it all on board and do what we can to take the best of the suggestions to improve the experience for all competitors on aspects that are within our control i.e. please dont ask us for more sunshine!!! Please feel free to forward the survey to other interested parties.

We look forward to seeing you all on 22nd May 2015. -- Scottish Series Organising Team

Survey here

The event is the usual Sunday Race for CYCA yachts taking part in the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, but is now open to those unable to take part in all four days of racing over the bank holiday weekend.

The race sees yachts setting off from Tarbert, sailing round the southern part of Loch Fyne before rounding Inchmarnock Island and finishing at Tarbert.

Interested sailors are invited to log on to www.brewindolphinscottishseries.com for more information and the entry form.

Johnnie Readman, event organiser, said "We decided to open the Round the Island event to encourage those keen to take part in the Scottish Series but aren't able to assemble a crew for the whole weekend, to sign up and get involved for one day.

"It's set to be a great event with a good number of yachts lined up already. What's more, being in Tarbert on the Saturday and Sunday nights means sailors can take part in the shoreside festivities Tarbert is renowned for as well, including fireworks on Saturday and an aerobatic display on Sunday."

The 2011 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series takes place over the bank holiday weekend from Friday 27 to Monday 30 May in Tarbert, Loch Fyne in the Clyde Estuary. Three race areas on the broad waters of the Loch will provide separate racing for IRC classes; One Design classes and CYCA classes (with and without spinnakers).

Last year 133 boats and their crews took part, and event organiser Clyde Cruising Club is hoping to beat this figure in 2011, encouraging sailors thinking about entering to sign up while the early bird discount is available.

Johnnie Readman, event organiser, said "Last year's event was a huge success and I have no doubt that this year's competition will be even more fun.

"We have introduced a number of changes this year in order to offer variety and encourage more entries from the UK and abroad. The changes include new courses and variations for all fleets, the introduction of a short Inshore Coastal race for IRC classes, some shore based starts for the CYCA classes, and replacement of the IRC sportsboats handicap starts with One Design class starts.

"We would encourage all sailors interested in coming along to sign up as soon as possible."

The 2011 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series takes place during the bank holiday weekend from Friday 27 to Monday 30 May in Tarbert on Scotland's stunning West Coast.

Today (7 January) Clyde Cruising Club, organisers of sailing's Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, announced exciting developments for the 2011 event. The Scottish Series will see a refreshed offering, both on the water and shoreside, benefitting competitors and spectators a like. The news will be of interest to members of ICRA,

The 2011 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series takes place over the bank holiday weekend from Friday 27 to Monday 30 May in Tarbert, Loch Fyne in the Clyde Estuary. Three race areas on the broad waters of the Loch will provide separate racing for IRC classes; One Design classes and CYCA classes (with and without spinnakers).

Clyde Cruising Club's main aim has been to provide fresh challenges for competitors, which has prompted changes including:
New courses for all fleets, providing variety to the standard windward/leeward course
The introduction of an Inshore Coastal (daytime) race for IRC classes which will take place during the weekend
Limitations to crew numbers
Some shore based start lines for the CYCA classes
Replacing the IRC sportsboats handicap starts with One Design class starts
2011 introduces a 'Laird of the Loch' event, an invitational competition between 2010 class winners in One Designs which will take place immediately before the Series on Thursday 26 May

Commodore John Watson, who takes over the role from Howard Morrison for the 2011 event, said "This is an exciting time for us, the event and the competitors. Over the last couple years we realised that the event needed rejuvenating and thought it was time to give it a bit of a shake up. Our main aim in changing the event has been to inject more fun and exciting elements of sailing to Tarbert.

"We hope that this refreshed offering will encourage more sailors from across the UK and further afield to consider entering the event and that past competitors will continue to return to the stunning waters of Loch Fyne."

Jamie Matheson, Chairman of Brewin Dolphin, title sponsors of the Scottish Series said "We have been sponsoring the Scottish Series for the past eleven years and think the proposed changes to the event format will offer something new and challenging for competitors."

"Clyde Cruising Club introduced these changes as a result of competitor consultation and it will be interesting to see how the developments influences sailing – it will no doubt make the event more enjoyable for all taking part."

Competitors are being encouraged to sign up early. Further details and race entry forms for this year's Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series are available now from the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series website.

The Scottish Series has thrived during Brewin Dolphin's eleven year sponsorship growing awareness and numbers over the period. The event, which generates around £1 million each year for the local economy, has been running for over 30 years and attracts over 1,200 competitors to the picturesque Loch Fyne, over the May holiday weekend.

Commenting on the decision, Jamie Matheson, chairman of Brewin Dolphin, said, "We are pleased to announce our continued sponsorship of the world renowned Scottish Series. Our name has become synonymous with the event and we are delighted to be able to support it for yet another year."

Howard Morrison, Commodore of Clyde Cruising Club, event organisers, added, "The Scottish Series is a key event in the sailing calendar and we would like to thank Brewin Dolphin for their continued sponsorship of the Scottish Series. The funding will not only help develop the event, but also benefit sailing across Scotland."

Brewin Dolphin also sponsors the under 16 and under 18 youth rugby competition, the Scottish Schools Cup, which sees over 4,500 children taking part each year. As lead sponsors of both competitions, Brewin Dolphin has been able to support the drive to increase participation in both sports, whilst communicating with its target audiences.