Last week, Tenby Sailing Club hosted the UK National Championship of the Fireball racing dinghy. This prestigious event is the focus of UK Fireball racing in the year, and attracted entries from Canada, Switzerland and Ireland, as well as all parts of the UK. The quality of the sailors included World champions, European champions and many class and club champions. The Harbour and North Walk areas were a hive of activity all week as competitors set up and tuned their boats for the racing which took place, with two races per day from Sunday to Friday. The winds all week came from the North or North West and were predominantly quite strong, providing ideal racing conditions for this fast and competitive fleet. The direction of the wind required the course for the racing to be set well off shore to avoid the effect of the cliffs and valleys on the north shore of the bay, and races were generally two or three miles out to sea. Out on the water conditions felt positively autumnal, but as the boats returned at the end of racing summer resumed as they gained the shelter of the cliffs and joined family and friends on the beaches. The quality of our environment, the race management, the friendliness of locals and club members received widespread favourable comment from our visitors and truly reflects what a great place Tenby is for sailing. Our Canadian visitors had competed in the World Championships in Thailand earlier in the year, but were firmly of the view that the Nationals in Tenby provided much better racing. The Championship was decided on the aggregate score over 10 races, with competitors being able to discard their two worst results. Sailing competitions are generally low scoring contests, participants' points being their finishing positions in the various races. The event was won by reigning European champions (and former World champions) Tom Gillard and Richard Anderton with a commanding display all week. Tenby Sailing Club hosts a National Championship every year and is increasingly dependent on the funds this raises for the continued operation of the club. All the many jobs necessary to run a major championship are filled by volunteer club members who freely give of their time to help the club. This generates a feeling of camaraderie and togetherness that is a reward of common endeavour. Our visitors were universally envious of our facilities and position in the town, and surprised that the club is so small in numbers. The club is keen to expand its membership which only costs £50 per annum. It is not necessary to know how to sail in order to join, although free taster sessions and training, and use of club boats are all benefits of membership. As, of course, is use of the clubhouse, right in the harbour, where food and drink can be enjoyed in the best location in the town.