2009 Gower Challenge

What a Bank Holiday Weekend! Saturday was our annual Long Distance Race, taking in probably some of the best coastline the UK has to offer. The race started in Swansea Bay then out around Mumbles Head into a very long, slightly choppy Atlantic swell. 2m high and 40m apart (crest to crest). After rounding the second mark of the course it only took two tacks to reach the turning mark in Oxwich Bay. Once around this mark the kites went up and oh joy!! an hour of downwind ecstasy.
12 Cats entered including 1 F20 3 F18's a Prindle twin trap 18, Dart 18's and myself solo a F16.
The F16 was 2nd at the first mark 3rd at the 2nd mark, 2nd at the gate off Pwll Du, 3rd at Oxwich behind the F20 and a F18 and eventually 2nd over the finishing line (the F18 helm in front at Oxwich went for a swim). On corrected time I was approx 90 secs in front of the F20 after 20 miles. The course was shortened but I wasn't complaining. Since then we have run various other races and social events to coincide with the mostly Mumbles Jazz and Blues festival, hence an abundance of Taffy Apples and Gin has been consumed.
I'm looking forward to the F16 Open at Rutland and hope to see, sail and drink with you all soon.

Any pictures of the coastline? For us keyboard tourists.

Hi Pete
Here's a local website address;
http://www.enjoygower.com/beaches/beaches01.cfm
On the Map we raced from Mumbles (bottom right) to Oxwich (bottom middle) if you click on each of the Beach names you should find some photo's. Between Mumbles Head and Langland there are the Mixon sandbanks and the swell is really thrown up. Off Pwll Du Head you have some overfalls which can be interesting and Oxwich Bay is a Catamaran sailors Heaven, clean prevailing winds and super flat sea.

Thank you.

Hey Mark, thanks for the great map! I noticed there is a town inland called, "Arthur's Stone", is that correct? I thought that was just a fairy tale! Is the stone still there? Can I rub it for luck?

The stone is still there. It's about the size of a Mini and is perched on top of smaller stones. Like Stonehenge it was probably constructed by the Drewids. However, it is called King Arthur's stone for the following reason. Whilst King Arthur was walking along Cefn Bryn (back bone) he stopped to remove a stone from his shoe which he then cast aside, when the stone landed it grew to the size it is today.

...when the stone landed it grew to the size it is today.

Wow, so King Arthur really did have...Big Stones! ;^)