Falmouth Sailing History

Let's go sailing!

The sheltered waters of the river Fal and its tributaries provide ideal waters for sailing. This is one of the largest, and the deepest natural harbour in the world.

No one knows when sailing started here but fishermen have been leaving in traditional boats for generations. Luckily the distance from centres of population and the presence of a large rock at the mouth of the river discouraged the development of a large commercial port or a naval base, leaving the waters clear for passing trade and leisure sailors.




The big boom in sailing after the second world war led to a growth in the variety and number of dinghies being sailed in the safe waters of the Fal. Clubs like Restronguet were created, attracting classes like the International 14, Firefly and Optimist, Mirror and Laser which are still being raced today. The popular Dart catamaran was actually designed at Restronguet club.

In the last twenty years, Pilot Gigs have also experienced a resurgence and become at the heart of a fast-growing competitive sport. Today you can see boats from clubs like Falmouth, Flushing and Mylor, Truro and Roseland out training or rowing competitively around the Fal.

With its ready access to the sea, it was always the yachts that dominated the scene and Falmouth Week in mid-August remains a key landmark in the yachting calendar.