Sheltered racing in South Holland returns for 2024
by Paul Wood 3 Jan 03:07 NZDT
6-12 July 2024
EAORA in The Netherlands © Claire Scott
Organised by the East Anglian Offshore Racing Association, the first EAORA Week was held in 1981. It set a new style of regatta: a week of sailing and socializing abroad during which skippers and crews live aboard, racing from port to port and using their boats as most were originally intended - as cruiser/racers.
This seems to be a concept unique to the East Coast – something of which EAORA is proud. After a break of a few years, EAORA Week was revived in 2022 – and proved so successful that it has been
decided that from now on it will be run in alternate (non-Fastnet) years.
This year EAORA celebrates its 75th anniversary – and a memorable EAORA week is planned to mark the occasion. It will start with the RORC East Coast Race from Harwich to Ostend (Belgium) on
Saturday July 6, followed by the Medway YC Cannonball Trophy race from Ostend to Breskens (Netherlands) the following day.
A series of shorter races from harbour to harbour within the Zeeland Delta will finish with a prizegiving party at Hellevoetsluisl on Friday July 12, leaving a clear weekend for the passage home.
(Traditionally some boats used the week as the delivery trip for a holiday in the Dutch inland waters.)
Throughout the week, competitive sailing will be matched by socialising ashore. Whether the boat is a Class 1 hotshot or a family-crewed 26-footer dipping the first toe into the racing scene - all are welcome.
Stopovers are yet to be finalised, but are expected to include Zierikzee, Brouwershaven, Willemstad & Hellevoetsluis – delightful historic towns with excellent facilities and plentiful restaurants. The silverware at the end of the week is very special too.
Put the date in the 2024 dairy now: EAORA Week July 6 – 12. You won’t be disappointed.