For everyone who can’t wait for next year’s Bass Week, it will run from 1st to 9th August 2026, so mark it in your diary

The final day arrived, the windy weather finally abated, and the sun shone for those that had awnings and tents to pack away.

No capsizes, or hairy planing conditions, just a pleasant final race to bring the week to a close.

At the last prize giving of the regatta Commodore Joe Roberts thanked everyone for all their efforts in making Bass Week happen, and then it was over for another year.

The following sailors won special trophies for Bass members for their consistent sailing trhroughout the week.

Don’t forget to put 1st – 9th August 2026 in your diary for next year’s Bass Week!

For the early risers it was a beautiful morning with a light southerly air, however today’s forecast is for the windy weather to continue, but with a greater risk of rain. The Bass micro-climate beat the odds and despite an overcast morning with some minor drizzly showers, blue skies and sunshine reappeared early afternoon.

The final weekend’s racing sponsored by Navigators and General comprised three races on Saturday, and a final race on Sunday. The blustery winds continued on Saturday with gusts up to F5, and with numerous weary sailors opting out and pack up, fleets were depleted. The OD advised sailors racing would start on time, and it did, though one late starter was convinced it had started early only to realise their watch was 5 minutes slow…

The thrills, spills, and capsizes continued throughout the day. Would the sailors recharge their batteries in time for the festival themed final disco?

Friday’s forecast is for more of the same with the exception that there could be wall to wall sunshine all day! Unfortunately, the sun waited until the afternoon before making another grand appearance. The morning race being sponsored by Embleton Spa, and the afternoon race for Juniors and Seniors by Bassenthwaite Lake Train and Cafe.

Wind wise, the forecast was accurate, offering more spectacular reaches, and blustery gusts, one of which caused the vice commodore to be knocked out of his boat by the boom when he was about to take down his spinnaker and a sudden caused an unplanned gybe! Not surprisingly, the wind freshened during the Ladies, Junior and Seniors race, but there was only a couple of retirements!

Another prize giving after sailing caught up on three days racing, and was followed by sumo wrestling, and live music to finish the day.

More overnight rain passed though, paving the way for another bright, sunny, day with morning racing sponsored by Underscar Vinery, and the afternoon RNLI pursuit by Ginger Boats.

With the base wind forecast of F3-4 coming to fruition, there was some champagne sailing conditions for those that still had the energy. The breezy conditions put off several from venturing out, and others retired after the gusts were just too much. The rescue crews were kept busy, and the sailors all enjoyed exciting planing conditions at times.

In the RNLI pursuit, two world class Mirror helms with their young daughters crewing mastered the blustery conditions through the 90 minute race to pull through to the lead, then stay ahead to the finish with Phil and Lucy Smith winning the coveted RNLI silver salver, while Andy and Isabelle Tunnicliffe were 2nd. Again, handicapping proved to be realistic with eight fleets finishing in the top 11 positions.

More photos have been added to the gallery.

With sunshine and lighter winds, many sailors took to the water for a three race series sponsored by Ginger Boats.

Border TV returned to capture some sailing and recorded a 4 minute article to promote the very nature of Bass Week – good sailing, fun on and off the water, and long lasting friendships.

Another visit from Heavenly Fish and Chips helped recharge low energy levels of many competitors before a disco into the early hours.

Storm Floris has passed through but with the winds still gusting F5, many sailors opted to sit back on shore and watch the action.

The morning race being sponsored by Shake, Waffle and Roll, and the afternoon Nairn Pursuit sponsored by Ginger Boats. Both races had some strong gusts to speed boats along, challenge their helms, and cause various capsizes. The conditions in the afternoon must have suited overall handicaps as until the final five minutes of the 90 minute race a Tera Sport helmed by James Reekie had led the fleet only to be passed by eleven boats, and resulting in eight different fleets in the top eleven finishers. Simon Weatherspoon in an ILCA 7 won the Nairm Pursuit trophy.

Racing was followed by the 2nd prizegiving of the regatta.

Photos from the weekend

After more overnight rain, the forecast proved to be correct for a change, and storm Floris brought high winds, with blue skies, and resulted in racing being cancelled for the day.

After a wet night for those camping, the rain passed through and the day brightened as time went on offering more blue skies.

The wind blew from the west again, slightly stronger than Saturday, so the OD devised courses offering some screaming reaches. The gybe marks proved to be a challenge for various boats, as there were several capsizes. Some busy mark roundings resulted in a few collisions and protests too!

The first prize giving of the week was held, followed by quizzes for juniors and adults.

Bass Week got underway with sunshine, and a shifty westerly breeze. Despite many regulars attending alternative championships this year, there was still an excellent turnout of 125 boats.

A few eager sailors were caught out by the one minute ’round the ends’ rule, but they all returned, and learnt by their mistakes! There were a few capsizes in the gusts as the wind freshened with the influence of a sea breeze.

The Heavenly Fish and Chips, together with Shake, Waffle and Roll, were providing onsite catering before the Commodore’s reception followed by live music from Tru Tones.

We are pleased to be engaging the services of Red Seal Rescue to support and supplement our own rescue facilities throughout the regatta again.