Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre at Pwllheli on the Irish Sea coast of North Wales, has been recognised as one of the UK's leading sailing venues as it prepares to host the Topper World Championships in 2027.
The centre, which opened in July 2015, has hosted more than 47 UK, European and World Championship events. Its significance for Irish sailors is well established: at the 2024 GP14 World Championships in Pwllheli, four Irish boats finished in the top ten, led by Ger Owens and Melanie Morris in fourth place.
A Welsh Sailing Impact Award has now been presented to the Plas Heli team in recognition of its contribution to the sport, while the Royal Yachting Association has reaffirmed its commitment to the venue.
Nick Scott, RYA Director of Sport, described Plas Heli as an important asset for sailing in Wales and across the UK, highlighting its role in developing young sailors and hosting major championships.
Situated between Hafan Pwllheli Marina and a sandy beach on Cardigan Bay, the centre offers direct access to racing waters, relatively limited tidal influences and little commercial shipping. Its facilities have also served the offshore racing community: ISORA competitors racing from Dún Laoghaire to Pwllheli have been welcomed there, underlining the longstanding cross-Irish Sea connection.
Award-Winning Team – Plas Heli representatives Gerallt Williams, Stephen Tudor, Mark Thompson and Thomas Tudor (left to right) at the North Wales sailing centre, which has received a Welsh Sailing Impact Award. Photo: RYA
More than 225 junior sailors competed at the RS Feva and RS Tera Nationals in 2026. Other events included the UK Cadet Nationals, Welsh Youth and Junior Championships and a 29er Grand Prix. The 2027 calendar includes the Topper Nationals and Topper Worlds.
Presenting the award, Sarah McGovern, Chief Operating Officer of RYA Cymru Wales, praised the volunteers whose work makes the championships possible. Plas Heli chair Stephen Tudor similarly highlighted the experience of volunteers in race management, mark laying, maintenance and event organisation.
Tudor is a mainstay of Welsh and Irish Sea sailing, having played a leading role in developing both Plas Heli and cross-channel offshore racing. A longtime honorary secretary of the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association (ISORA), he was named Afloat.ie Sailor of the Month (Offshore) in September 2016, recognising both his ISORA Championship victory aboard the J/109 Sgrech and his contribution to sailing infrastructure at Pwllheli. More recently, he stepped down as chairman of the GBR IRC Committee after five years in the role, while continuing his work with ISORA.
The centre has a main hall for registration and measurement, meeting rooms, a café bar and restaurant, secure boat compounds and more than 60 camping pitches with electric hook-ups. Race management equipment includes 11 RIBs, two committee boats and facilities for running multiple courses.
Recent investment has improved meeting rooms, camping areas, wash-down facilities and landscaping. The centre also hosts Pwllheli Sailing Club and its youth section, Sea Cadets, Bangor University and community groups.
Afloat has previously covered the Welsh IRC Championship success of the ISORA J109 Mojito at Plas Heli, another example of the venue's links with Irish Sea racing.
Further information is available from Plas Heli and the RYA announcement.
