Sailboats racing on the ocean under a blue sky with clouds.

The Balance Regatta 2026.

14TH MAY 2026 | 08.30

LYMINGTON YACHT HAVEN


This exhilarating event is a unique opportunity to connect and compete with industry peers.

Each yacht will have a professional skipper onboard to ensure safety and help you (crew members) along during the day. The event is about enjoyment rather than flat out racing and is suitable for novices and experienced sailors alike.

The winning yacht will receive a donation for the charity of their choice at the evening prize giving dinner.

The yachts will be fully insured and compliant with charter regulations in the UK. The day includes a safety boat and a photographer.

Contents.

Click the buttons below to jump directly to the relevant section

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Close-up of a sailboat deck with ropes, winches, and sails in action on the water, at sunset.

Each yacht holds up to 10 people and includes a professional skipper

  • Light breakfast and refreshments at Lymington Yacht Haven

  • Sailing races on the Solent

  • Lunch ashore in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

  • Evening dinner and prize giving at The Angel & Blue Pig - sponsored by Carta

  • Donation for the winning yacht to the charity of their choosing

What to expect.

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Itinerary.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL FROM LONDON TO LYMINGTON IN A DAY. HOWEVER, TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS EVENT WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND STAYING OVERNIGHT ON THE WEDNESDAY AND / OR THURSDAY NIGHT. WE SUGGEST BOOKING YOUR ACCOMODATION EARLY TO AVOID DISSAPOINTMENT.

Wednesday 13th May

19:00

Balance Strategic Capital will be at The Kings Head at the bottom of Lymington High Street. If you have already arrived, pop in and say hello! If you want food, we strongly suggest you book a table.

https://kingsheadlymington.com/

Thursday 14th May

Arrive at Lymington Yacht Haven where we will run through key information about the day’s schedule over an informal breakfast

https://www.yachthavens.com/lymington-yacht-haven

08:30


09:00

Once aboard, the skipper will give you a full safety briefing. Slip lines and head out in to the Solent for some familiarisation with the boat and some quick practice manoeuvers


10:30

Morning race to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight


12:30

Lunch ashore at The Bugle, Yarmouth

https://www.thebugleinn.co.uk/


14:30

Afternoon race(s)


17:00

Post-regatta drinks at Lymington Yacht Haven


18:30

Prize giving, charity award, photos and dinner at The Angel & Blue Pig in Lymington High Street.

https://www.angel-lymington.com

Evening Prize Giving sponsored by


23:45

Event closes

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Sailboat navigating on an open sea with clear blue water and white sails, deck view showing ropes and railing, sunny day.

What to bring.

LIFEJACKETS ARE PROVIDED

TEMPERATURES CAN DROP NOTICEABLY WHEN YOU ARE ON THE WATER, EVEN IN SUMMER. THEREFORE, PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING ADEQUATE WARM & WATERPROOF CLOTHING IN A SOFT BAG

  • Footwear: Sailing boots or deck shoes are ideal. However, light soled, non-marking trainers are fine

  • Trousers: Hard wearing trousers that dry easily (not jeans) or shorts if it is sunny

  • Jumper: A pullover or fleece (woolly jumpers absorb water and stay wet so are not recommended)

  • T-shirt: A t-shirt or similar synthetic (not cotton) are best. Most “thermal” clothing is synthetic. Long sleeved t-shirts are also useful

  • Headwear: A cap or sunhat (be careful not to lose these overboard!)

  • Gloves: Sailing gloves if you have them but this is not critical

  • Sunglasses & sunscreen: Even on cloudy days!

  • Misc: Bring a bottle of water for the sailing and any personal medicines including seasickness pills if you think you might need them

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Travel & Hotels.

WE SUGGEST BOOKING YOUR ACCOMODATION EARLY TO AVOID DISSAPOINTMENT

BY ROAD

Lymington is connected to the M27 through the A337 through Lyndhurst, or A326 via Beaulieu. Use postcode: SO41 3QD.


BY RAIL

The Lymington line is a branch off the main Waterloo to Weymouth line, change at Brockenhurst for Lymington Town.

Lymington Town station is very close to the town centre and less than a mile walk to the Yacht Haven.


HOTELS

On / near the High Street, e.g.

  • The Angel & Blue Pig

  • Stanwell House

  • Highfield Bed & Breakfast

Near Lymington Yacht Haven (LYH), e.g.

  • The Mayflower

Near Lymington Town train station, e.g.

  • Bosuns Chair

Further afield

  • Macdonald Elmers Court - 10 mins drive from LYH

  • Lymington (New Forest, Hordle) Premier Inn - 15 mins drive from LYH

Various AirBnB’s

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Group of people sailing on a boat, smiling and enjoying the sunny weather. The boat is a Sun Odyssey 40.3 model, and the passengers are wearing life jackets.

FAQs.

    • All of the yachts and skippers have appropriate commercial insurance in place and are coded for charter

    • Guests are covered by public liability insurance whilst they are onboard the yachts as long as they act responsibly and in accordance with the skipper’s instructions

    • Guests are not covered if they act irresponsibly and / or for any part of the event where they are onshore, for example marina pontoons, hospitality venues, etc

    • Balance do not have a “packaged event insurance” in place and do not provide insurance cover in any way, shape or form for Regatta attendees

    • To this extent, all guests and crew participating in the regatta agree that participation in this regatta is entirely at their own risk, and Balance and / or the external organisers accept no liability for any loss, damage or injury incurred

  • In order for you to plan your day(s), please see a high-level itinerary of start and end times below (more detailed itinerary above). It is possible to travel from London to Lymington just for the day. Last train back to London departs at 21:05 from Lymington Town

    However, for those planning on staying on the Wednesday and / or Thursday night in Lymington, we strongly suggest you book your accommodation as soon as possible as these will get booked up very quickly

    Wednesday 13th May:

    • Mid-afternoon: The team at Balance will be in Lymington from mid-afternoon on the Wednesday 13th May. We will be based at The Angel & Blue Pig on Lymington High Street. Please pop by if you want to say hello. The Angel & Blue Pig:  https://www.angel-lymington.com/

    • 7pm onwards: We will be in The Kings Head at the bottom of Lymington High Street for a few drinks from 7pm on the evening before the Regatta. If you have already arrived, pop in and say hello! If you want to eat there, we would encourage you to book a table as it does get crowded. We hope to see you there and help build excitement for the next day! The Kings Head: https://kingsheadlymington.com

    Thursday 14th May:

    • 8:30am: We will meet for breakfast rolls and tea / coffee at Lymington Yacht Haven Bar and Restaurant from 8:30am onwards. There will be a general introduction to the Regatta, sailing conditions and allocation of crews to their skippers and yachts. We aim to be onboard the yachts for safety briefings by 9:00am at the latest so please be prompt.

    • 6.30pm onwards: Prize Giving Dinner will take place from 6:30pm onwards at The Angel & Blue Pig back in Lymington High Street. Food will be served from 7:00pm onwards.

  • Wednesday 13th May: Balance will be in Lymington from mid-afternoon on Wednesday

    Friday 15th May: We will be staying until Friday

  • This takes place from 6:30pm onwards at The Angel & Blue Pig on Lymington High Street. Food will be served from 7:00pm onwards.

    The prize giving is sponsored by Carta (https://carta.com/uk/en/)

  • The various venues are within walking distance from each other. However, if you need to rely on local transport to get to / from the various venues, then this can be tricky in Lymington. We don’t know if Uber has reached that far!

    We strongly recommend therefore that you make plans ahead of time and, if possible, pre-book any travel via your hotel or local taxi company.

    Getting a taxi last minute, especially late at night can be very difficult!

  • We have a marine photographer with us throughout the day and we will show all the action on screen at the evening prize giving.

    Please also watch out for updates on our LinkedIn pages and feel free you add your own photos and comments throughout the day and tag us using #balanceregatta2026.

  • We will update you with an expected forecast nearer the time.

    Regardless of the forecast, the weather can change quickly out on the water and it is best to be prepared for all eventualities – from sunscreen and sunhats, to warm fleeces and beanies, and a bottle of water. Please also bring your wet weather gear (although let’s hope you don’t need it!)

    Small bags for spare gear can be stowed below deck on the yachts. Please no wheely or hard shell cases!

  • This is an important one. Yacht owners are sensitive to wear and tear on their pride and joy.

    Please (if you can) wear flat soled, non-marking footwear whilst onboard the yachts. Deck shoes or non-marking trainers are ideal. 

  • We want to combine having fun whilst raising money for good causes!

    Therefore, we will allocate some money to the winning boat to donate to a charity of their choice.

    Please therefore have a think about which worthwhile cause or charity you would like to receive this donation.

    You will have time throughout the day to discuss with your fellow crew and decide ahead of the prize giving.

  • If you have any dietary requirements please do let us know as soon as possible so we can cater for your needs as best we can

    Please email leah.hamlet@balancecapital.co.uk

  • The marina has introduced a pay car park with barriers. However, this is free for those sailing with LYC. Therefore for those who are driving, you must input your car registration number into the tablet in the Haven Bar or the Haven Marina Office. This must be done at the end of the day just before leaving the car park, rather than on arrival.

  • There is no formal dress code for the evening prize giving. We want everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the day. You’re welcome to wear what you had on for sailing, or change into something else if you prefer - totally up to you!