The 2010 ‘Bala Gala’ and National Championships, to be held at the Bala Cat Club, Llangower, North Wales, promise to be another superb event offering something for everyone: fun races, coaching, serious races (well, as serious as they get in our class) and a buzzing social scene.

There will be 6 races for the 2010 National Championships (5 to count). On the fun side we are planning a Pairs Race, when improvers are paired up with an expert for some on-the-water tips, a Team Race and a Relay Race (always good for a laugh). The first start will be at 12.00 on Saturday (briefing at 11.00). [NB Racing is not obligatory, and you can be as laid back or as competitive as you want.]

For those wanting to brush up their skills Stuart Ede will be running improver coaching on the afternoon of Friday 6 August. This can include virtually anything you want from an introduction to racing, a rules clinic and tactics to capsize drill, boatspeed, trapezing and tacking and gybing practice. Please let Stuart know what you would like by Friday 23 July so he can prepare. His contact details are below.

   On shore the Cat Club will be organising a fancy dress barbecue with a Jamaican Pirate theme on Saturday evening (Click for your Invitation – NB bring your own meat or fish), and on Sunday there will be an evening meal at a local hostelry. The price for the event has not been set yet, but it should be in the region of £40 for the weekend (plus the cost of the meals).

For those of you that want to have your say at the Annual General Meeting or just listen to what’s happening in the Association, this will be held at 6.00pm on the Sunday evening in the BCC clubhouse. All members welcome.

Accommodation

 And if you haven't fixed up your camping at the Bala lakeside campsite (or other accommodation) yet, you would be well advised to book it now, as this weekend falls in the school holidays. The campsite can be booked through Mrs Menna Roberts on 01678 520415.with a pitch in the "Catapult Village".

If camping is not your ‘thing’, then there are plenty of hotels and B&Bs in Bala and surrounding villages, because this is a major centre for touring Snowdonia and the rest of North Wales. Tourist information is on 01678 521 021, or there are lots of websites offering accommodation in the area.

     Bala Cat Club have asked us to let them know numbers for sailing and catering, so please contact Stuart Ede by Friday 23 July to let him know:

• Whether you will be coming, and if so:
• How many tickets you want for the barbecue on the Saturday night
• How many in your party for the evening meal at a local hostelry on the Sunday

Stuart can be contacted on 01904 738158 or at stuart.ede@prosede.co.uk.

Directions

Bala Cat Club is on the south side of Bala Lake (or Llyn Tegid) near the village of Llangower. From the A5 Llangollen to Betws-y-coed road turn south on the A494 for Dolgellau. Coming into Bala take the first left (B4391), then turn right onto the B4403 immediately after crossing the end of the lake. The Cat Club is signposted off the B4403 in 2.5 to 3 miles.

Make a holiday of it

Many members turn this event in to a great holiday by extending their stays before and after the weekend and taking the opportunity to tour the magnificent Snowdonia National Park. If you’re particularly energetic, in addition to the great walking there is excellent mountain biking in the Coed-y-Brenin Forest or white water kayaking at the National Whitewater Centre above Bala Town. For the kids there is the narrow gauge steam railway that runs along the lake right past the Cat Club, and there are fascinating old slate mines to visit.

Slightly further afield there are the excellent beaches of Harlech, Barmouth and Porthmadog, plus the eccentric delights of Portmeirion village, well known to viewers of the cult 1960s series The Prisoner. History buffs can climb the walls of Harlech, Caernarfon, and Criccieth Castles, while Ivor the Engine fans can enjoy rides on the Ffestiniog, Tal-y-llyn and Fairbourne railways plus the newly completed Welsh Highland Railway that runs from Porthmadog to Caernarfon.