West Riding Sailing Club joins the World's biggest race and fundraising event

Bart's Bash 2023 at West Riding SC © WRSC

West Riding Sailing Club will again participate in Bart's Bash, the World's largest global race and sailing charity fundraising event, on Sunday the 15th of September.

The annual worldwide event inspired by the life of Olympic Gold and Silver medalist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson MBE helps enable access to sailing for all, regardless of background or ability and works to break down barriers to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and experience sailing and water sports firsthand, a cause Olympic medalists Andrew Simpson was passionate about.

The Andrew Simpson Foundation has raised £15,000,000 million worldwide and achieved a new Guinness World Record. All funds raised from the weekend go to help get young people all over the World out on the water to experience the lasting positive impact and benefits of sailing and water sports.

Bart's Bash at West Riding Sailing Club brings together sailors of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned UK circuit sailors, for a weekend of fun and friendly competitive sailing. The club prides itself on being inclusive and sees sailors participating in regular racing and sailing from seven years old to seventy, from all walks of life and backgrounds.

West Riding Sailing Club's Commodore, Soeren Vonsild, says, "At our club our race team will set out a carefully measured course that will meet the prescribed standard for the bash. All boats will be timed and the results submitted so every participant gets a world ranking result.

"Bart's Bash is a global sailing race taking place at hundreds of venues, with thousands of sailors in hundreds of different classes of boat around the world. This incredible event works on the assumption that sailing venues host their races at weekends and we invite them to unite in one colossal global sailing event. Put simply it's the day the world goes sailing!

"It's a day the sailing community remembers Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, a double Olympic medallist who tragically lost his life whilst training for the America's cup in 2013. Bart's Bash is an annual fundraising and participation campaign promoted by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation."

Sailing race results over the Bart's Bash fundraiser weekend will appear on a global online results board, uniting sailors, clubs and communities worldwide, bringing everyone together to help transform lives through sailing and remembering Andrew 'Bart' Simpson.'

On Sunday 15th of September, members of the general public will be able to pop along to the West Riding Sailing Club situated in Anglers Country Park on Wintersett Reservoir from 11 am and watch the on-water action from the club.

Come and help transform lives, and discover how sailing can transform yours.

For more information, visit WRSC.org.uk or BartsBash.com

Bart's Bash 2023 at West Riding SC - photo © WRSC