Keelboat Racing

Racing on Lough Neagh

Friendly, competitive handicap racing right through the season — two Wednesday evening series, weekend Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter series, and cup and inter-club events. Crews of every level are welcome.

How our racing works

We run handicap racing so boats of different shapes and speeds compete fairly against one another — it’s your performance against the clock that counts, not just who crosses the line first. Races are set around marks on the lough, with the course chosen on the day to suit the wind.

You don’t need your own boat to take part. Skippers are usually looking for crew, and it’s one of the best ways to learn. If you’d like to get out racing, get in touch or come down on a race day and introduce yourself.

Racing close to other keelboats, seen from the foredeck

A fleet of keelboats racing across Lough Neagh in the evening light

2026 Season

Race calendar

All times are approximate — confirm on the day.

June 2026

Wed 3

Race 5

Wednesday Series 1

Wed 3 June · 7:30 pm
Sat 6

BBC Regatta

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 6 June · 1 pm
Wed 10

Race 6

Wednesday Series 1

Wed 10 June · 7:30 pm
Sat 13

Antrim Regatta

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 13 June · 10:30 am
Wed 17

Race 7

Wednesday Series 1

Wed 17 June · 7:30 pm
Sat 20

Race 5

Spring / Summer

Sat 20 June · 2 pm
Wed 24

Race 8

Wednesday Series 1

Wed 24 June · 7:30 pm
Sat 27

727 Interclub Lough Race

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 27 June · 1 pm

July 2026

Wed 1

Race 1

Wednesday Series 2

Wed 1 July · 7:30 pm
Sat 4

David Mitchell Cup Race

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 4 July · 1 pm
Sat 18

Race 6

Spring / Summer

Sat 18 July · 2 pm
Wed 22

Race 2

Wednesday Series 2

Wed 22 July · 7:30 pm
Sat 25

Rams Island Race

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 25 July · 1 pm
Wed 29

Race 3

Wednesday Series 2

Wed 29 July · 7:30 pm

August 2026

Wed 5

Race 4

Wednesday Series 2

Wed 5 August · 7:30 pm
Sat 8

LNSC Regatta

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 8 August · 1 pm
Wed 12

Race 5

Wednesday Series 2

Wed 12 August · 7:30 pm
Sat 15

Race 7

Spring / Summer

Sat 15 August · 2 pm
Wed 19

Race 6

Wednesday Series 2

Wed 19 August · 7:30 pm
Sat 22

Race 8

Spring / Summer

Sat 22 August · 2 pm
Wed 26

Race 7

Wednesday Series 2

Wed 26 August · 7:30 pm
Sat 29

Race 9

Spring / Summer

Sat 29 August · 2 pm

September 2026

Wed 2

Race 8

Wednesday Series 2

Wed 2 September · 7:30 pm
Sat 5

Cats Cradle

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 5 September · 1 pm
Sat 12

Race 10

Spring / Summer

Sat 12 September · 2 pm
Sat 19

Race 1

Autumn / Winter

Sat 19 September · 2 pm
Sat 26

Lap The Lough Race

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 26 September · 1 pm

October 2026

Sat 3

Race 2

Autumn / Winter

Sat 3 October · 2 pm
Sat 10

Race 3

Autumn / Winter

Sat 10 October · 2 pm
Sat 17

Coney Island Race

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 17 October · 1 pm
Sat 24

Race 4

Autumn / Winter

Sat 24 October · 2 pm

November 2026

Sat 7

Race 5

Autumn / Winter

Sat 7 November · 1:30 pm
Sat 14

Race 6

Autumn / Winter

Sat 14 November · 1:30 pm
Sat 21

Race 7

Autumn / Winter

Sat 21 November · 1:30 pm
Sat 28

Race 8

Autumn / Winter

Sat 28 November · 1:30 pm

December 2026

Sat 5

Race 9

Autumn / Winter

Sat 5 December · 1:30 pm
Sat 12

Race 10

Autumn / Winter

Sat 12 December · 1:30 pm
Sat 26

Boxing Day Pursuit

Cups & Inter-club

Sat 26 December · 1 pm

Fancy a season of racing?

Membership runs through MemberMojo — sign up in a few minutes and join us for the next sail.

Join the club Ask a question