AIB DBSC Water Wags Hit by Frustrating Light Winds

27th May 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Drift Away — Water Wag crews wait for breeze on Dublin Bay during Wednesday evening’s AIB DBSC race, which attracted the class’s biggest turnout of the 2026 season despite frustrating light winds Credit: Brendan Briscoe

A fleet of 27 boats turned out for the AIB DBSC Water Wag race on Wednesday evening, the biggest turnout of the season so far on Dublin Bay.

Very light north-easterly winds of between one and four knots made conditions difficult from the outset. Several crews resorted to oars and paddles to reach the starting area.

Race Officer Tadgh Donnelly hoisted AP at 6.40pm as the fleet waited for breeze to settle across the bay ahead of the traditional race for the RNLI pennant.

Conditions briefly improved at 7.10pm when the wind filled in from the south-east and increased to around 10 knots. Donnelly set a course and brought the fleet into starting sequence.

However, with just 15 seconds remaining before the scheduled start, the wind faded once again. AP over A was displayed and racing was abandoned.

Despite the lack of racing, the strong turnout reflected the continuing popularity of Water Wag sailing in Dublin Bay and the attraction of Wednesday evening racing in the class’s 138th season.

Published in Water Wag

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Water Wag

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