It’s been a busy and exciting summer for Ullman Sails United Kingdom, and the Ullman Sails Coastal Series has been right at the heart of it. With racing in full swing, crews across the South West have come together for a great mix of competition, coastal adventure, and social connection.

The series, supported by Plymouth Gin and organized through the Port of Plymouth Sailing Association (PPSA), is all about making good racing accessible. It’s free to enter, open to both monohulls and multihulls, and set up to reward consistent participation without requiring every weekend of your summer.

Sail one race or sail them all; either way, you’re part of it.

This isn’t just a bunch of races. It’s about the bigger picture: bringing sailors together and building up the sailing community. As Jon Pegg puts it, 

“Part of this series is to bring the social side back to sailing. We encourage crews to join us after racing for some drinks and socialising, instead of just heading back home right after racing.”

That spirit is built into every event. You get free entry, free berthing, random prizes (not just for winners), and post-race gatherings where you can swap stories and connect with other sailors.

July brought three big events to the series, each with its own character and challenges.

Eddystone Race – July 5

Hosted by Plymouth Yacht Club, this one took crews out to the iconic Eddystone Lighthouse and back. With changing wind and swell it made for a proper offshore test. It also had a great turnout and a lively social afterward.

Wreck Race – July 20

Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club hosted this mid-month favorite. The course includes classic wreck marks and some tricky tidal reads, so it really favored smart navigation and teamwork.

Ranneys Buoy Race – July 26

Also, with TMSC, this was a tighter inshore race with fast legs and numerous mark roundings. A fun one for teams that like quick maneuvers and close racing. Perfect way to close out a busy month.

In the Coastal Series, the top six results count toward the season standings. That means if you’ve missed a few races, you can still climb the leaderboard with a strong finish. But even if you're not chasing points, every race offers something: good sailing, good company, and a chance to spend more time on the water. We’ve seen crews connecting, boats swapping stories dockside, and new friendships forming. That’s the part that sticks with you.

photos Bronny Daniels