This event was devised by Cliff Martin in 2008 and it has taken place every year since then, becoming an important fixture in the DCA South Coast sailing calendar. It happens during the Cobnor Camp fortnight and entrants sail, row or paddle around Hayling Island on a day of their choosing, starting and finishing at Cobnor Hard. Over the years the challenge has been successfully completed in all kinds of dinghies and even a kayak.
Some fine cups are at stake. The Hayling Challenge Trophy is awarded for the best circumnavigation over all. The Allan Earl Trophy for the best rounding in a traditionally-rigged boat and the Gunter Grail rewards the best passage under a Mirror-style rig. Follow the links below to read this year’s write-ups, which are both informative and entertaining
The circuit is about 18nm and can be done clockwise or anticlockwise. Passage planning is (usually!) involved as the trip includes two large tidal harbours, two harbour entrances with bars and potentially fast-running tides, a sea passage and a bridge. There is plenty of scope for picnics, pubs and ice cream stops along the way and entrants have been known to go via the Isle of Wight rather than taking the shortest route.
Among those who opt for a direct non-stop circuit, the fastest passages have been made over the years in under 4½ hours. Typical times are somewhere in the region of 6-8 hours, though of course it’s not a race but a rewarding and sometimes challenging day’s cruise (or more if you go to the Isle of Wight).
If you haven’t yet tried the Hayling Challenge, what’s holding you back? It is a deeply satisfying sail in any weather, while planning an efficient rounding takes mental skill. It can be completed on any day of the Cobnor camping rally at which all DCA members are welcome . Next year's dates for the Cobnor Camp are 16 - 31st August, 2025.
Some fine cups are at stake. The Hayling Challenge Trophy is awarded for the best circumnavigation over all. The Allan Earl Trophy for the best rounding in a traditionally-rigged boat and the Gunter Grail rewards the best passage under a Mirror-style rig. Follow the links below to read this year’s write-ups, which are both informative and entertaining
The circuit is about 18nm and can be done clockwise or anticlockwise. Passage planning is (usually!) involved as the trip includes two large tidal harbours, two harbour entrances with bars and potentially fast-running tides, a sea passage and a bridge. There is plenty of scope for picnics, pubs and ice cream stops along the way and entrants have been known to go via the Isle of Wight rather than taking the shortest route.
Among those who opt for a direct non-stop circuit, the fastest passages have been made over the years in under 4½ hours. Typical times are somewhere in the region of 6-8 hours, though of course it’s not a race but a rewarding and sometimes challenging day’s cruise (or more if you go to the Isle of Wight).
If you haven’t yet tried the Hayling Challenge, what’s holding you back? It is a deeply satisfying sail in any weather, while planning an efficient rounding takes mental skill. It can be completed on any day of the Cobnor camping rally at which all DCA members are welcome . Next year's dates for the Cobnor Camp are 16 - 31st August, 2025.
2024 Entries
Sarah Sorensen The plan was born of a week of strong wind warnings and mounting cabin fever. Read on...
David Sumner I decided that I had spent too many hours tacking against foul tides in Chichester Harbour.. Read on...
Chris Waite We've performed this trick so many times now that Polly Wee actually knows her own way round.. Read on...
Mark Tinkler With only three days at Cobnor the chances of completing a Hayling challenge looked slim. Read on...
Paul Pearson and Justin Bennett Sailing separately in a rare or possibly even unprecedented joint attempt.. Read on...
Joe Murphy Shall I spare you the usual comedy antics at the Bridge and skip to the bit where I really screwed up.. Read on...
Tom Edom Strategy: Avoid going to windward unless with the tide and never into waves. Read on...
David Sumner I decided that I had spent too many hours tacking against foul tides in Chichester Harbour.. Read on...
Chris Waite We've performed this trick so many times now that Polly Wee actually knows her own way round.. Read on...
Mark Tinkler With only three days at Cobnor the chances of completing a Hayling challenge looked slim. Read on...
Paul Pearson and Justin Bennett Sailing separately in a rare or possibly even unprecedented joint attempt.. Read on...
Joe Murphy Shall I spare you the usual comedy antics at the Bridge and skip to the bit where I really screwed up.. Read on...
Tom Edom Strategy: Avoid going to windward unless with the tide and never into waves. Read on...
2024 winners
Hayling Challenge Trophy: Sarah Sorensen in Lune Pilot, Pampootie
Allan Earl Trophy: Paul Pearson in Smacks Boat Marazan and Justin Bennet in Mirror Red Dwarf
Gunter Grail: Tom Edom in Mirror dinghy Scarab
Presentations were made at the South Coast winter social on Saturday 13th April 2025.
Allan Earl Trophy: Paul Pearson in Smacks Boat Marazan and Justin Bennet in Mirror Red Dwarf
Gunter Grail: Tom Edom in Mirror dinghy Scarab
Presentations were made at the South Coast winter social on Saturday 13th April 2025.
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