Welcome to SOA Falmouth
The map shows the main sailing areas of our 100+ members, comprising Carrick Roads with its many creeks, Falmouth Bay and the Helford River. The Fowey estuary and river 20 miles to the east is also a perfectly achievable day-sail away for a Shrimper - usually a 4 or 5 hour passage. Very adventurous sailors have been known to sail from Falmouth to Fowey and Plymouth or as far west as the Scillies, but most are content to venture no further seawards than Falmouth Bay. We are blessed with deep water resulting from rias or drowned river valleys being formed in prehistoric times. Routine guidance for Shrimpers is explore the creeks on a rising tide, and try not to go to Helford if there is any east in the wind!
The range of activities in our area include Club Racing, and Class Racing in Village Regattas, Falmouth Classics, and Falmouth Sailing Week. There is also social activity, both on and off the water, including our Annual Falmouth Rally, occasional Creek Crawls or Day Sails/Barbeques, and a programe of Sunday Lunches in the winter. A Calendars is published at the AGM for the season ahead together with Spring and Autumn Newsletters. The majority of our members belong to one of six local sailing clubs: Mylor Yacht Club, St Mawes Sailing Club, Flushing Sailing Club, Restronguet Sailing Club, Helford River Sailing Club, and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club which caters for larger boats. These Clubs combine to form the Port of Falmouth Sailing Association (PoFSA) which organises Falmouth Sailing Week and other major events
Club Racing
Mylor and St Mawes have class starts for Shrimpers, and both members of all local clubs and visitors may also participate by arrangement. Mylor race on Sunday mornings and Friday evenings. St Mawes similarly race on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings.
Village Regattas
There are seven village regattas between June and September usually on Saturday afternoons - Loe Beach, St Mawes Social Club, Flushing, St Mawes Town, Percuil, Portscatho and Point and Penpol which bring together a variety of local fleets to sail around a regatta course followed by cream teas at which all are welcome. Entry forms are available on the PoFSA (Port of Falmouth Sailing Association) site (see Links) where it is possible to enter very easily on-line. It is also possible to enter on the water via a late entry boat which will provide race instructions. Courtesy boats will take you ashore afterwards for the all-important teas and prize giving. In addition, special cups events are held in St Mawes.
Falmouth Sailing Week
This is a major event during the second week in August organised by PoFSA for all classes of boats. Over a hundred boats compete in two fleets in Falmouth Bay or the Carrick Roads. The Shrimper Class, usually one of the largest in the port sails in the Carrick Fleet, often includes a number of visiting Shrimpers froma number of Clubs along the South Coast. Shrimper sailors can enter the 7 day event, or if they prefer, just the final 3 day/6 race series
Shrimper Open Championships
The annual 3 Day Shrimper Open Championships, hosted by Mylor Yacht Club in association with Falmouth SOA, is held over the first weekend in September. In both 2021 and 2022 26 boats entered the Championships including visitors from Reading, Wantage, Bath, Wareham, Sherborne and Bognor Regis. Mylor Yacht Club are splendid hosts for this event providing a great race management team and social events ashore after the sailing.
Falmouth Rally
Our Annual Rally is usually held over the last week in June. Most entrants sail Shrimper 19s and 21s but we also welcome a number of former 19 sailors who have upgraded to Crabbers or even larger craft! The programme is mainly social and waterborne, exploring the various rivers and creeks in the Carrick Roads and weather permitting an overnight visit to the Helford River. Regular events include a Treasure Hunt, a Fancy Dress and Cooking Competiton, pontoon parties and garden visits. A limited amount of racing takes place including the Peter Keeling Memorial Race. In 2023 we are very pleased to be hosting International Shrimper Week - and will largely follow traditional Rally programme.
Creek Crawling
A comprehensive guide to the Creeks of the Carrick Roads has been produced to assist Shrimper Owners negotiate the many creeks of the Carrick Roads. Follow the link below for further information:
Cruise the Creeks in Company: use the SOA Falmouth WhatsApp Group to arrange a sail in convoy with other Shrimpers! Just let other Shrimper owners know the day you intend on going, a rendezvous location and time (eg. Meet off Mylor fairway lateral marks at 1100), which of the locations on the list you are heading for, agree a VHF channel, and off you go on a Shrimper adventure!
Sunday Lunches
During the winter we organise a Shrimper Lunch usually on the last day of each month, at a country or waterside pub. Venues often include the Pandora Inn at Restronguet Creek and the Rising Sun at St Mawes. Occasionally, we visit our neighbours at Rock Sailing Club. Our December lunch is normally combined with our AGM held at either Mylor Yacht Club or St Mawes Sailing Club between Christmas and New Year (and not necessarily on a Sunday!).
