The Port of Falmouth Welcomes the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta
The Cornish port of Falmouth has built a reputation for hosting maritime events and this year has been selected to host the start of the prestigious Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta. A fleet of some 20 Tall Ships will arrive in Falmouth on Wednesday 10th September and leave on Saturday 13th September in a Parade of Sail preceding the race start.
The Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta is organised by Sail Training International as the centre-piece celebration of the 500th anniversary of Funchal, capital of the island of Madeira. The ships will race from Falmouth to Ilhavo in Portugal then on to Funchal where a fantastic festival and welcome will await them. The official website of the event, which will include tracking the fleet when the race is under way, is www.tallshipsraces.com/funchal500.
Taking part in the event will present youngsters from Cornwall with the experience of a lifetime. More than fifty people have signed up with the ships to take part in the race, becoming part of the crew and joining in with all the duties on board ship, including climbing the rigging, hauling up sails, watch duties, helping in the galley and keeping the vessel ‘ship shape’. This thrilling and fast paced ocean adventure will offer those who sign up experiences from learning sailing skills to seeing new places and forming international friendships.
During their four day stay in Falmouth the magnificent square rigged vessels will provide a spectacular backdrop to the town and the larger ships will welcome visitors on board to look around. Ships taking part in the Regatta will come from all over the globe including Mexico, Uruguay, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Oman, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Latvia, Portugal, Germany and the UK.
An exciting programme of events is planned throughout the town. The centre will be closed to traffic allowing everyone to meander at their own pace through the town and enjoy a car free atmosphere. The main sites where Regatta activities will be taking place are:
Falmouth Docks will berth the large A Class Tall Ships, where visitors will be able to board these magnificent vessels to view them at close quarters. Entry is free and the Docks are open to the public from 10.00 am to 7.30 pm (later opening on Wednesday of 11.00 am)
Port Pendennis Marina will berth the traditionally rigged Class B vessels and Class C and D yachts. They can be viewed from the National Maritime Museum Walkway or from Events Square.
The Regatta Entertainment Centre at Events Square will host daytime circus workshops and music to delight the crowds. Ticketed evening live music is planned with a variety to suit all tastes and ranging from blues to the sounds of the Beach Boys.
The Regatta Shopping Village will be on Church St Car Park where there will be an abundance of local food, crafts and gifts to choose from. The award-winning Truro based brewery, Skinner’s Brewing Company, Falmouth’s main sponsor, will have a bar selling ale specially brewed for the event and a stage with performances by local bands and street entertainers will make this site a great place to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy views of the Tall Ships across the harbour. Custom House Quay will also come alive with a Skinner’s bar and stage where performances from local bands, shanty singers and street entertainers can be enjoyed. The public square on the Moor will also add to the shopping experience extending its weekly market for the four days.
On Thursday 11th September, Gyllyngvase Beach is the venue to watch ships crews battling against each other to take the sports trophies in volleyball and tug of war. After which, the ships crew parade will bring colour and excitement to the town centre streets. Dragon Boat racing for the ship’s crew will bring even more activity and excitement to the inner harbour.
A grand firework display on the evening of Friday 12th September will mark the last night in port for the ships before they leave in a spectacular parade of sail on Saturday afternoon on their way to the race start off Falmouth.
Many other venues throughout the town will be staging exhibitions and entertainment. For further details of the activities planned see the event website www.falmouthtallships.co.uk
Event organisers are encouraging people to arrive by public transport. Bus and train services have been extended and increased and many of the local ferry services and Falmouth’s Park and Float service have added an extra stop at the Docks enabling passengers direct access to the Tall Ships.
The activities taking place in Falmouth are made possible by the support of the many partners, sponsors and volunteers. The official partners for the event in Falmouth are Carrick District Council, the lead accountable body for the Regatta, Falmouth Tall Ships Association, Cornwall County Council, South West Regional Development Agency, A&P Falmouth, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, Cornwall Marine Network, Port Pendennis Marina, National Maritime Museum Cornwall, and Falmouth Town Council. Skinners Brewing Company is the main sponsor for the event in Falmouth, whilst a host of other sponsors and volunteers will ensure that Regatta is a huge success. There is so much good will associated with Tall Ships festivals in Falmouth, that everyone is working together to stage a truly memorable event.
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