The BLSA > Home

This site is here to give you everything you need and want to know about Land Speedsailing and Blokart Sailing in the UK. We have full explanations of the sports and what they entail, as well as all the latest news, including national and international event listings. If you have any questions or views on this site or our sport please don’t hesitate to contact either our Membership Secretary Chris Moore Tel 01934 511780 / Mob 07885 164112 or our Chairman Nick Dodge on Mob 07860 252193 / e-mail chairman@theblsa.com

Once you are a BLSA member you could get a 5% discount on Blokart Parts and Spares, Please ask your Blokart dealer if they will do this. Please have your Membership details with you when asking for your discount. A list of Dealers can be found on the Blokart UK site via Links.

Chairman's Call...

BLSA British Open Championships 2009 - Sponsorship required

Hi all,

Although the BLSA British Championships is still some 5 months away there is quite a lot of active planning being done. As part of this we are now actively looking for sponsorship for this event.

We are ideally looking for a single main headline sponsor and a number of smaller sponsors to help make this the best ever. Sponsorship is used for Trophies, transport, toilets, clothing etc.

If you feel that this may be an opportunity for your business or if you know of someone who would like to help please give me a call on 07860 252193 or send me an e-mail at chairman@theblsa.com.

Thank You,

Nick Dodge (Chairman)

Next BLSA Event

Check out the BLSA Club Days under the Events Calendar for monthly sailing at:

Ainsdale - 4th July, Bovingdon - 26th July and Perranporth...link

BLSA - Fun Weekend, 4th - 6th Sept 2009, Uphill Beach, Weston Super Mare.

BLSA - South West Blokart Open, (~~10th - 12th July~~) Now 11/12/13 Sept, Perranporth Airfield, Trevellas, Cornwall

Hot of the Press!

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European Blokart Open Championships 2009

Please follow this link to the 'Notice of Race'

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The BLSA - South West Blokart Open - postponed to Sept 11-13/09

Event organisers Kevin Meyers and Graham Bobin have decided to postpone this event until September. Probably due to the timing of the event during the key part of the summer holidays this event has been moved to September, when it is hoped that entry numbers will be a lot higher.

Therefore the BLSA - South West Blokart Open will now be held on the 11th / 12th/ 13th Sept 2009

Races can be used to count toward the Series 'b' Championship.

Main Sponsors are: The Cornwall Blokart Centre and Speedsail UK

Registration for this event is on the Cornwall Blokart Centre website - Link

Contact BLSA Race Organiser - Kevin Meyers on 07971 856468 or theblokartcentre@aol.com for further details.

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The long awaited Katalyst 'blokart edition' is finally in the UK.

The new Katalyst was unveiled at the South Wales Boat Show on the 12th June and put through its paces by the UK distributor and seasoned Blokart sailor Graham Bobin. Despite very light winds Graham sailed confidently across the small lake despite the antics of an enthusiastic Zap Cat pilot. The first sail in the UK went very well and Graham then performed a controlled capsize to see how easy it was to get back the right side up. After an initial hiccup with the positioning of the 'righting' line, Graham soon had the Katalyst the right side up and sailing was resumed.

Pictures of the Katalyst at the South Wales Boat Show are available in the Picture Gallery

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Important restrictions affecting Gwithian Towans Beach venue

Please goto the Gwithian Towns page under the Sailing Venues menu option for access to full details.

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Blokart Racing

The first Northern Ireland Mini Yacht Open took place on Benone Beach, Limavady on the weekend of 9 th & 10 th May 2009. Use the link to the Blokarters.com site in the left panel for a full report and some great photos.

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BLSA - North Somerset Open 17th - 19th April Sponsored by

The first North Somerset Open was a great success with Sun, Sand, and Wind! The mixture of competition and a really relaxed friendly atmosphere made the weekend thoroughly enjoyable and fun.

A big 'thank you' to event organisers Chris and Gill Moore, the event Race Officer Adrian Brown, Marshals Mary Brown, Christine and Graham Deal, Gill and John Endean for operating the Transponder System, Graham Bobin for help and advice and toWeston Windsport for being the main sponsor hosting the event, supplying the trophies and the lunchtime refreshments.

A personal 'thanks' from myself to all those that took part, for making the event so enjoyable. It was great to see a number of first time racers enjoying themselves and even walking away with trophies. Well done to all.

Race Results are available under the Racing menu (link) and I hope to add a full report and loads of photos very shortly.

Nick (Chairman)

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USA Open - Ivanpah

Reports are coming in about the USA Open at Ivapah. More details can be found on the Blokarters UK Site / forum, the British Blokart Club website and via various Blog pages. Details will include a new land speed record for a wind powered craft ' Greenbird' prior to the Blokart Racing. Reports from the Blokart Racing itself and a potential new Blokart speed record for Santi Oliver of 62mph!! More details...

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BLSA Fun Weekend at Weston Super Mare

Another fun filled weekend at a very dry and sunny Uphill beach. A great time was had by all and a number of demo sessions took place with another new member to the BLSA signing up.

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Series 'b' Racing - Ainsdale Open

The Blokart Dealer Series 'b' Racing meeting at the Ainsdale Open was a great success according to organisers Gwen and Justin Heap. Comments from those attending have been full of praise for a very well run event. A full report and pictures can be found on the Blokart North West dealer website. Full Report...

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New BLSA 'Club Days' page

I've added a page under the 'Events Calendar' menu called BLSA 'Club Days'. This is a list of known venues where regular get togethers are organised by local members of the BLSA for anyone wishing to sail or even 'Have a Go'. 'Have a Go' sessions require a BLSA Instructor to be available. Please check this out and get in touch with your local venue contact to get sailing. If anyone else has a similar regular venue then please let me know and I'll get it on the list. Nick D

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London Boat Show 2009

The BLSA was represented magnificently at the 2009 London Boat Show. As part of the Speedsail UK stand we had a fantastic corner location opposite Topper, Laser and RS Dinghies and very close to the Model Yacht Association's demo pool (in which one young lad went swimming!, but that's another story). This meant that at busy times during the day we continuously had over 20 people actively looking, discussing and trying out the blokarts on display. Everyone of these people got to know about the BLSA and how we support Blokart Sailing in the UK and Europe. In the time I was at the show, I thought it was a great success and would like to thank Graham Bobin and Speedsail UK for the use of their stand and their continuing support of the BLSA. Full Report...

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Insurance!

2009 Membership to the BLSA, which is the Governing body for Blokart Sailing and Land Speedsailing in the UK, is now open. If you want a Membership form Email Chris Moore at chris@theblsa.com

For 2009 we have stayed with Zurich Municipal. BLSA membership fees stay the same as in 2008, This shows again excellent value for money.

Costs are £40 for adult member, and £20 for Juniors (under 18 yrs).

From 1st October is £20 for Adults, £10 for Juniors (under 18 yrs).

The pro rata part of our insurance is for NEW members joining through the year, all members at the end of the year will have to pay the full rejoining fee regardless of when they rejoin during the following year.

There will be a small charge to members who attend our fun weekends. Any non-members who wish to try either Blokart Sailing or Land Speedsailing can do so at our Fun or Event weekends for a small fee.

Race Events will have an entry fee which will be set by the Organizing body.

We can also cover all Land based Kite activity as well, but this is only if your main sports are either Blokart Sailing or Land Speedsailing or Both of these. We are not a Kite Association.

Code Of Conduct

Only Speedsail, BloKart on open sites, where permission for use has been granted.
Always observe local byelaws.
Wear protective clothing - A safety helmet is to be worn at all times.
Blokart Seat belt to be worn at all times whilst karting.
Make yourself aware of the Social Use risk assessment. Do not sail too close to pedestrians or animals, they have the right of way.
All craft approaching each other “Head on” must veer to their right to leave sufficient space between them: Speedsail, Parakart, BloKart or Land Yacht.
Priority is always given to any craft on the right, Speedsail, Parakart, BloKart or Land Yacht.
Always look before you Gybe or Tack.
Always make your presence as visable as possible, warning signs and flags.
Always have your membership/insurance details with you.
Always have your sail numbers showing.
Do not drop or leave litter - take it home or put it in a bin.
Park vehicles sensibly - do not obstruct rights of way or access points, it may be you that needs the Ambulance!!

Pictures of the new Katalyst from the South Wales Boat Show on the 12th - 14th June 2009

Blokart Sailing

Land Speedsailing