5 March 2026
Henri-Lloyd has become the title sponsor for Warsash Sailing Club’s popular Spring race series. Located on the River Hamble, at the heart of the UK sailing with easy access to the Solent, the Warsash Spring races are traditionally viewed as marking the start of the year’s racing activities.
2026 sees a new name – the Henri-Lloyd Warsash Spring Championship – and a new race format, with the Championships taking place over four days on two consecutive weekends, 18th/19th April, and 25th/26th April. The event will see IRC handicap racing, with SB20 and RS21 one-design racing, plus J70s on the first weekend only. All classes are welcome, with individual class starts for six boats or more.
Entrants to the Henri-Lloyd Warsash Spring Championships will receive an exclusive Henri-Lloyd discount code, enabling them to purchase individual or team kit in advance of the event. Warsash Sailing Club officials and volunteers will also benefit from being kitted out in the latest technical apparel from Henri-Lloyd, and club members can purchase official Warsash Sailing Club Henri-Lloyd merchandise. Winners across all the classes will receive Henri-Lloyd prizes.
Roger Cerrato, Commodore of Warsash Sailing Club said the two-year sponsorship arrangement with Henri-Lloyd and the new race format will encourage more sailors to take part in this traditional ‘start of the season’ race series.
We’ve deliberately timed the Spring Championship after Easter, because those who lay up their boats over winter usually take the Easter weekend getting the boat launched, making sure everything’s rigged and maybe getting the crew out for a shakedown sail. Then by having two weekends of racing it gives a good block of four full days on the water. When you spend four days with the same crew, you’re going to be a lot more keyed in at the end of that than when you started. It sets you up for the entire season.
Roger Cerrato Commodore at Warsash Sailing Club
To make it easier for those taking part, Warsash Sailing Club is also offering space for competitors to leave their SB20 or RS21, for example, in the club’s dinghy park.
Ross Partridge, Corporate Sales Manager at Henri-Lloyd explains how the company is actively supporting organisations like Warsash Sailing Club that are increasing participation in grass root sailing.
The new format for the Henri-Lloyd Warsash Spring Championships show how the club is taking the initiative to make racing more accessible, and easier for teams from all over the country to take part. Our support for Warsash Sailing Club is similar to the support we provide for JOG and Generation JOG, another active and forward-looking organisation helping to increase the number of people getting out on the water.
Ross Partridge Corporate Sales Manager at Henri-LloydWarsash Sailing Club enjoys an enviable location at the mouth of the River Hamble on the South Coast. The club has plenty of dinghy park space and excellent pontoons, making it one of the best locations to sail from for Central Solent racing. Whilst located on the South Coast, the easy access draws in competitors from as far afield as the Midlands and South Wales. The club has an active youth section with a flourishing dinghy scene, which is also reflected in the increased participation in keelboat racing and the new Henri-Lloyd Warsash Spring Championships.
Further information including the Notice of Race and Entry Form can be found at https://warsashsc.org.uk/springseries/