The challenge starts at Alnwick Castle with a 16km / 10 mile run to Amble visiting en-route Warkworth Castle, which has to be “circumnavigated” before continuing on to Amble Harbour. At Amble the runners join their yachts which are allowed to motor to the affectionately known “sewer buoy"; after which only sail power may be used.

Under sail the yachts must circumnavigate Coquet Island in a clockwise direction then, in any order, visit

– Newton Haven,
– Seahouses Harbour,
– Holy Island
– Pass through both Inner Sound and Staple Sound.

At Newton Haven, Seahouses Harbour and Holy Island Harbour the runners will complete set runs of 7km. (4½ miles), 11km. (6½ miles), and 15km (9 miles).

The challenge has two classes, monohulls and multihulls.

– Challenge Cup for the fastest team in each class that completes the challenge in 24hrs and has the shortest combined running and corrected sailing times.
– All Rounders Challenge. As per the Challenge Cup but each member of the team has to complete at least one of the running legs.
– Fastest corrected sailing time (prizes for both classes).
– Fastest running team who have completed all four runs
– Fastest female runner(s) who have completed all four runs!

Prior to the event all communication will be via the e-mail of the skipper unless otherwise arranged.

PROVISIONAL Start Time

18:00 hrs at Alnwick Castle on Friday June 27th 2025.

Briefing
All team members must be present for a briefing at 16:30 hrs on Friday 27th June at Coquet Yacht Club and must register for the event before 17:00 hrs

Tide Times at Amble – Friday June 27th & Saturday June 28th 2025:

FRIDAY

0503 5.06
1134 0.67
1740 4.97
2350 1.26

SATURDAY

0548 5.05
1223 0.69
1829 4.84

For application information contact Kris Burnett by telephone on 01665 660 707 ext 1 or by email at kris@coquetyachtclub.org.uk

Organising Authority

Castles & Islands Challenge will be organised by the Castles & Islands committee of Coquet Yacht Club, together with any additional members that may be co-opted as required.

RULES

The event will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS); and the additional event specific rules to encompass the non-sailing based part of the event (running, rowing/getting ashore, etc.) as listed below. Any such additional rules will be presented within the registration pack.

A team must consist of a minimum of two runners and two sailors, with a maximum of 6 people in total.

Boats must be in seaworthy condition and carry safety equipment including flares, VHF radio, inflatable dinghy or life raft. Full Sailing Instructions and Running Directions will be forwarded to skippers at a later date.

When runners are on board, apart from as detailed below, no motorised form of propulsion may be used.

Having left Amble and passed Amble Outfall buoy, boats may only use their engine when:

1. entering/leaving Holy Island harbour from Triton buoy to Holy Island harbour
2. at Seahouses Harbour and Low Newton once inside the drop off zone when runners are not on board
3. in an emergency to avoid a hazard or a collision.

Boats may anchor at any time with or without runners on board.

Runners must row, or be rowed, ashore at the designated places.

Lifejackets must be worn when going ashore or returning to boat.

A minimum of two runners must run each running leg but changes of runners can take place between legs.

Changes to the course, postponement or cancellation may be necessary depending on weather conditions on the day.

The named skipper is responsible for runners and crew and their safety is paramount.

Handicaps

Upon entry each yacht will be allocated a handicap based upon the NHC base handicap figure for the type of boat. Should the skipper wish to contest the handicap allocated they have until one month prior to the event to lodge the request. The CYC handicap decision is final.

Minimum Equipment Regulations

It is assumed that all vessels will be seaworthy with sufficient lifejackets for all crew on board. The vessel must carry suitable flares. A working VHF radio capable of transmitting on channel 37 (or M1) and Channel 16 must be carried on board. The race will continue through the night so working navigation lights must be installed.

Responsibility

The skipper is fully responsible for the safety of the boat and crew whether afloat or ashore. Nothing, whether within the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions, reduces this responsibility.

It is the skipper’s responsibility to decide whether the boat meets the minimum equipment regulations and whether the boat and crew is capable of sailing in the conditions on the day/should the event continue.

The boat must hold adequate insurance and in particular hold insurance against third party claims in the sum of at least £2,000,000.

Nothing done by the organisers, or within the documentation provided, detracts from the skipper’s responsibility and will not be used to hold the organisers liable nor responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury.

Challenge instructions & List of Entries

 Full Instructions and a full list of entries will be issued no later than 2 weeks prior to the event. Duplicates will be available on the day of the event.

Merchandising will be sent out no later than 2 weeks prior to the event wherever possible subject to entries/orders being received in a timely manner.

Any changes to instructions will be provided during the briefing held on the Friday evening.

Cancellation of the Event

As with any sailing event the organisers reserve the right to cancel the event at any time due to weather conditions. Should the event be cancelled due to weather conditions on the day no refund of entries fee will be given.

Should the event be cancelled within 2 weeks of the start date due to for example lack of entries refunds of entry fees will be available at the organiser’s discretion.