The 2026 Irish Sailing Foundation Youth National Championships will take place from 9–12 April 2026 at Ballyholme Yacht Club, one of Ireland’s leading sailing venues with a long tradition of youth development and championship-level racing. The event will bring together the country’s top young sailors for four days of competitive racing across a range of youth classes, showcasing the depth of emerging talent within Irish Sailing. Set on the open waters of Belfast Lough, the championships will offer high-quality racing in a challenging yet fair environment, supported by experienced race management and a strong volunteer team.
The provisional schedule for the 2026 Irish Sailing Foundation Youth National Championships is outlined below. A final schedule will be confirmed closer to the event.
Monday 6 April
– Event pre-training
Tuesday 7 April
– Event pre-training
Wednesday 8 April
– Arrival of competitors
– Registration
– Boat measuring and equipment inspection for optimists
Thursday 9 April
– Registration continues
– First day of racing
Friday 10 April
– Second day of racing
Saturday 11 April
– Third day of racing racing
– Live music and BBQ by Wolf & Devour
Sunday 12 April
– Final day of racing
– Prize-giving ceremony
Please note: all schedules are subject to change depending on weather and sailing conditions.
All racing and shore-based activities will be hosted at Ballyholme Yacht Club, located on the edge of Ballyholme Bay in Bangor, County Down. The club provides an excellent base for a national championship event, with direct access to open water on Belfast Lough, generous shore space, and the infrastructure needed to support a busy youth regatta. Competitors will have dedicated areas for rigging, launching, and recovery, along with clear signposting around the venue to help sailors and parents navigate the site efficiently. The sailing area offers fair, high-quality racing conditions and enough space to run multiple courses when required, with April typically delivering cool temperatures and a mix of steady breezes and tactical shifts that reward good boat-handling and smart decision-making. Onshore, Ballyholme Yacht Club has a strong volunteer culture and experience hosting major events, which helps ensure smooth turnarounds between races, a safe operating environment, and a welcoming atmosphere for visiting teams.
The 2026 Irish Sailing Foundation Youth National Championships will feature racing across the following recognised youth classes:
Optimist
Topper 5.3
ILCA 4
ILCA 6
RS Feva
420
29er
These classes represent the core youth sailing pathways in Ireland, spanning early development through to high-performance double-handed racing. The championships provide sailors in each fleet with the opportunity to compete in a national-level event, testing their skills in a competitive and professionally run environment.
Details regarding eligibility, entry limits, equipment requirements, and any fleet-specific arrangements will be published in the official Notice of Race. Where appropriate, fleets may be divided or managed to ensure fair racing and effective course management throughout the event.
The championships are proudly supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council, reflecting the region’s commitment to youth sport, outdoor recreation, and hosting high-quality national events that bring energy and visitors into the local area. Sailing is a natural fit for North Down’s coastal identity, and the council’s support helps strengthen the connection between the event and the wider community—celebrating the area’s maritime heritage while encouraging participation in sport for young people. The presence of a national championship in Bangor also delivers real benefits beyond the water, with visiting sailors and families contributing to local hospitality, retail, and tourism across the week. Ballyholme Yacht Club is proud to work alongside local partners to ensure the event is welcoming, well-organised, and a positive showcase for both youth sailing and the Ards and North Down area.
Bangor and the surrounding North Down coastline offer a wide range of accommodation options suitable for competitors, families, coaches, and support teams. Visitors will find a choice of hotels in Bangor town centre and nearby coastal locations, as well as guesthouses and bed & breakfasts for those looking for a more local and family-run stay. Self-catering apartments and holiday rentals are also widely available in the area, which can be ideal for teams staying for the full week or travelling with larger groups. For those arriving with campervans or preferring an outdoor option, there are caravan parks and camping-style facilities within driving distance. Because April can be a popular period—particularly around school breaks and local events—families and teams are strongly advised to book early to secure accommodation that meets their needs, especially if they are aiming to stay close to the venue for easier morning logistics and faster turnaround between racing and rest.
For parents, supporters, and sailors looking to unwind between races, Bangor and North Down provide plenty to do within a short distance of the club. Ballyholme Beach is right beside the venue, making it easy to take a walk along the sand, grab fresh air, and watch racing conditions develop across the bay. Bangor’s marina and seafront areas offer a relaxed coastal atmosphere, with cafés, restaurants, and scenic walking routes that work well for families and groups. The wider North Down coastline also lends itself to short trips, with coastal paths, viewpoints, and local attractions that make it easy to fill downtime without travelling far. For those wanting a bigger day out, Belfast is close by and offers major visitor attractions, shopping, museums, and food options—ideal for a rest day or for anyone travelling with family members who aren’t directly involved in racing. Overall, the location gives visiting teams the best of both worlds: a focused championship venue with a strong sailing atmosphere, and plenty of nearby options for rest, recovery, and enjoyment off the water.
Bangor is straightforward to reach for teams travelling from across Ireland and further afield, with good road and public transport connections throughout Northern Ireland. For visitors arriving by air, Belfast’s airports are within convenient driving distance, and for those travelling by sea, ferry routes into the Belfast area make the region accessible from Great Britain. Bangor is also well served by rail links from Belfast, with regular services that can be useful for parents or supporters staying in the city and commuting to the venue. For competitors bringing boats and trailers, the primary consideration is planning for arrival, unloading, and parking—event-specific guidance will be issued closer to the championships, including recommended arrival routes, trailer drop-off procedures, and designated areas for launching and rigging. The goal will be to keep vehicle movement safe and organised, particularly during peak periods on arrival days and in the mornings before racing.
All key event information—including documents, updates, and operational guidance—will be published on this website as the championships approach. The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions will be made available in advance, alongside any updates relating to schedule changes, venue logistics, safety notices, and race management communications. During the event week, this page will also act as a central hub for important announcements so that competitors, parents, and coaches can stay informed without needing to search across multiple channels. If you have any questions before travelling, please contact the organising team using the event email address below:
Event enquiries: training@ballyholme.com
Coaches attending the event must fill in the coach information form below.
As you all know, events of this size cannot be run without the generous support of the local community. Our sponsors continued generosity allow us to keep Ballyholme Yacht Club a premier location for championship events.
More sponsors to be announced soon
