The long-established Narrows Regatta held in that fast-flowing stretch of water between the towns of Portaferry on the east side and Strangford on the west side of Strangford Lough in County Down brought together last weekend over 140 boats for exciting racing in enviable conditions.
It provided perfect viewing of sail racing during the Portaferry Sails and Sounds festival, which was packed with children's activities, exhibitions, crafts, and even foraging.
There was racing for 13 classes, including dinghy handicap, Laser Radials and Toppers.
Tight racing in the Flying Fifteen class at the Narrows Regatta
Topper and Laser Radial fleets at Strangford SC prepare for the Narrows Regatta
Traditionally the Regatta begins with the Bar Buoy Race on a course which took the fleet, made up of IRC 1and 2, NHC 1, NHC Restricted Sail, and One Designs through the Narrows to the Bar Buoy at the mouth of Lough. The Bar Buoy race, the Strangford Regatta and the two Portaferry Regattas combine their four sets of results to make the Narrows Series which you can find here. The dinghy results are here
Racing in the Narrows Regatta NHC 2 division
The Laser Radial put up the largest class at 18 but notable too were the two one-design classes, the Glens and the 100-year-old Rivers, both with a history of migration long ago from Belfast Lough to Strangford Lough Yacht Club and still holding strong at that location.
Adelante was the winner of NHC 2 division of the Narrows Regatta
The 2022 Narrows Regatta date has been set for 11th until 14th July.
