South Pier, Lowestoft NR33 0AE
Times are provisional
On Saturday July 30th the waters off Lowestoft Ness will be festooned with the red sails of traditionally rigged sailing smacks, as The Excelsior Trust hosts an international Smack Race. Postponed from last year, this one-off event will be staged to celebrate the centenary of Lowestoft’s own 77ft sailing vessel Excelsior LT472, an icon of the town’s national fishing heritage.
The organisers are expecting up to 25 traditional vessels in Lowestoft, including the 78ft Boy Leslie from Norway and the 68ft Swan from The Faroe Islands. We are also very proud to announce the 70ft 1st Class Essex Oyster Smack Pioneer will be racing, the last of the large Essex Smacks to survive.
Traditionally a Smack Race would have been held annually in Lowestoft in the late 1800s when Lowestoft was a fishing boom-town. But due to the decline in fishing and the increasing rarity of these historic vessels, the last event of this kind was held over twenty years ago. As there are different types of sailing smacks taking part this year, the boats will be put into different racing classes, to ensure opportunities are fair for all.
From 09.00 a spectacular close-up view of the historic vessels will be best seen from Lowestoft’s South Pier, as the smacks process through the Bascule Bridge and out to sea. The staggered start can be seen from the Sea Wall opposite Lowestoft Maritime Museum, and the progress of the various classes can be followed from Gunton Cliff as the fleet sets off around the course.
Back on Lowestoft’s South Pier, there will be a two-day ‘Vessels Festival’ taking place with stalls, music and displays reflecting the now vibrant maritime, business and arts scene in Lowestoft.
Excelsior Trust founder John Wylson said: “This will be a remarkable and truly historic event, which could be one of the last of its kind. Sadly each year the number of old wooden fishing smacks, fully restored and maintained to be seaworthy, diminishes. So let’s enjoy this wonderful collection of heritage vessels whilst we can.”
For the Vessels Festival contact Laurence Vulliamy at: centenary@excelsiortrust.co.uk
For the Smack Race please contact Mary George at: marketing@excelsiortrust.co.uk
www.theexcelsiortrust.co.uk