A yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office has led to the postponement of a popular New Year’s Day event at Exmouth beach.
The Exe Power Boat and Ski Club’s New Year’s Day rally will now be held on Saturday, January 4, after strong winds and heavy rain has been forecasted tomorrow, January 1.
This year’s event on New Year’s Day saw nine daring racers tearing across the Exe estuary, showcasing the electrifying speed and precision of UK powerboat racing. The spectacle always attracts a large crowd.
Exeter Port Authority has posted details on the postponement on the 2025 event on its Facebook page, stating the decision had been made due to the ‘poor weather forecast’.
It shared details of the rescheduled rally which will be held this Saturday, at Mamhead Slipway on the seafront from 11am to 3pm. Spectators have been advised that the anticipated time duration of each event is 45 minutes, but timings are subject to tidal conditions.
Vessels not taking part are asked to keep clear of competitors within the area during the event.
The Met Office is predicting gusts of up to 75 miles per hour, especially around coastal areas and hills, in the south west on New Year’s Day. The weather warning is in place from 9am on Wednesday, January 1, until 6am on Thursday, January 2, and covers the entire south west.
The Met Office website states: “A deep area of low pressure is expected to cross the UK from the west, bringing a spell of very strong winds. Gusts of 65 to 75 mph are likely around coasts and hills, especially in the south and west, with 50 to 60 mph gusts likely fairly widely inland.”