Lakes Charity Classic
Cumbria Soaring Club proudly presents the Lakes Charity Classic
The UK's premier free flying event!
The 2026 LCC and X-Lakes events will be held from Thursday 18 June to Sunday 21 June.
ADMIN NOTICE: LCC and X-Lakes competition entry
Places are open on AirTribune, for pilots wishing to take part in the 2026 Lakes Charity Classic and X-Lakes Challenge.
LCC A-Comp.
LCC B-Comp.
LCC Coaching Group
X-Lakes 2-day RACE TO GOAL (new task)
X-Lakes 1-day WAINWRIGHT BAGGING (traditional task)
The Coaching Group is aimed at CPs. We will also have free-flying tickets for pilots who want to come and enjoy the weekend, but aren't fussed about coaching or competitions. The free-flying tickets will launch very soon!
The main XC competitions need a Pilot-rating because of the BHPA rules on these matters.
Please note: as well as the usual prizes, we intend to award trophies also for "BEST B-WING IN THE A-COMP", "BEST B-WING IN THE 2-DAY X-LAKES", and "MOST IMPROVED CLUB PILOT". There will be other prizes too. So, please don't be put off the top events, just because you aren't flying a Deathblade.
Some other admin points. Pilots are welcome to arrive on the Grasmere Sports Field and camp from Wednesday 17th June, at 12 noon. Registration will be at 5pm - 7pm Thursday 18 June, in the Pavilion office. THIS IS COMPULSORY AND CANNOT BE MISSED.
Please note: YOU MUST BE A CURRENT BHPA-MEMBER TO TAKE PART IN THIS EVENT, INCLUDING OVERSEAS PILOTS.
If you have any questions please feel free to telephone or text me on 07840 059561 .
Kind regards,
Paul Abbott
What is the Lakes Charity Classic?
The Lakes Charity Classic is an informal paragliding competition held in some of England's most spectacular scenery. If you want to get a flavour of what it's all about then have a look at this Youtube Video - courtesy of gazandwiz
There are 2 competitions
A Competition - This is for more experienced and seasoned pilots holding a minimum of Pilot rating. Any certified wing is permitted; uncertified gliders will not be accepted. Tandems are allowed but with only one named pilot in charge and scoring.
B competition - This is most suitable for less experienced pilots who wish to get the most flying from their day in a spectacularly scenic area. Less demanding, friendly tasks will be set and it is open to pilots with a Pilot rating flying gliders of ENB/DHV1-2 and below.
We also offer 2 days of coaching as an alternative. If you don't fancy taking part in a competition but fancy some flying in some of the most spectacular scenery in England, then the coaching event gives you a chance to fly with the coaching team from CSC.
The main programme starts early on Friday morning where there will be a briefing before we head off for the flying sites. We aim to get the best out of the day so the tasks will be geared to the conditions. Remember, though, that the Lake District is the wettest place in England. One thing you can be sure of, is that we'll always do our best and will plan other activities to suit the conditions. This is what it looks like on a good day.
SAVE THE DATE - LCC / X-LAKES 18 to 22 June 2026
To book your ticket as a free flyer, or to pay for a competition place that has been approved on AirTribune, please follow the links on the Event tab
Hello everyone. This is a quick message to confirm the dates and details this year for the Lakes Charity Classic / X-Lakes - the oldest free flying competition in the UK! The LCC was first held in 1990, and is still going strong 34 years later. Come and enjoy five days of fun & adventure in the Lake District.
DATES: Wednesday 17 June - Sunday 21 June 2026.
LOCATION: Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Showground, Stock Lane, Grasmere, England, LA22 9SL
PARKING: There is ample parking available on the Grasmere Showground.
CAMPING: Camping this year is INCLUDED IN THE PRICE, rather than being a separate item to pay for. There are discount codes for people who live locally and are not camping. If this is you, please send me a text message on 07840 059561 and I will give you the discount code. There will be different sections of the field for motor-homes, a quiet family section with no cars (tents only) and other more general camping areas.
DRAFT AGENDA: Subject to weather (!), the Flight Directors are aiming for free-flying and registration on the Thursday, competition tasks on the Friday & Saturday, and free-flying again on the Sunday.
APPLICATIONS: Entry is open on AirTribune now.
Once approved for a competition place via AirTribune, you will then be invited to pay for yourself and any guests via a Stripe payment gateway which accepts all modern forms of payment - debt / credit cards etc. CSC Members will qualify for a discount code on the ticket prices, IF YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS VALID AT THE TIME.
If you are just coming as a Guest or a Free Flyer, you can book directly and pay via our EventBookings.co.uk page, which we will share on 1st February 2025. The same CSC Member discount codes will apply.
WHO IS THIS FOR? Pilots with ALL levels of experience are welcome. Our competitions this year range from serious VolBiv hike & fly, to a guided coaching task aimed at Club Pilots with low air-time. If you just want to enjoy the facilities and go free flying, and soak up the atmosphere, you are welcome too and we would love to see you there! There are many excellent sites for informal hike & fly in Grasmere, to suit different wind directions. All Pilots will have access to our detailed flying guide for launch and landing sites around the Grasmere valley, as well as (obviously) the CSC Sites Guide for the wider Lake District. Everyone is welcome also at the Saturday evening prize-giving and communal meal.
INSURANCE: Due to recent BHPA Guidance, you will only be insured for XC tasks if you hold a valid Pilot rating at the time of the competition. Club Pilots (CP) can still take part in the Coaching Group, or informal Free Flying so long as they are staying local and not going XC. If you currently hold a CP rating, you can still apply for the higher level XC Competitions to secure a place, but to fly XC on the day, you must have gained a BHPA Pilot rating by 17 June 2026.
CHARITY: One of the main purposes of the LCC is to raise funds for local charities. We will send out a request for local charities to apply for funding closer to the time.
VOLUNTEERS: If you volunteer for a 2-hour shift on the Club bar, or for helping the Flight Directors run one of the competitions, you qualify for free camping which will reduce your ticket price. For the people who have already said they are happy to volunteer, THANK YOU. If you would like to volunteer, please get in touch with me on 07840 059561 and I will add you to our Volunteers Telegram Group.
CANCELLATION: Our policy is that under no circumstances will the event be cancelled. Whatever the weather, we are going ahead. There will be a backup "wet weather programme" if it is not flyable, and the bar will still be open! One of the reasons to extend the dates this year (Wednesday - Sunday) is to give everyone the best possible chance of good weather.
FURTHER INFORMATION: If you have any questions, please text me on 07840 059561 and I will do my best to help.
Hopefully see you on the hill!
Best wishes,
Paul Abbott - 07840 059561 - [email protected].
The 2026 Lakes Charity Classic will be held at the same location as previous years. The site is the Grasmere Sports showground to the west of the A591 and to the east of Grasmere village.
From the South (M6)
Leave the M6 at junction 36 following the signs for Barrow, Kendal A590 (A591). Take the first junction on the left at the roundabout. Now stay on the dual carriage way ignoring all exits until you come to the Plumgarths roundabout north west of Kendal. Then carry straight on at the roundabout following the A591 for Windermere and Ambleside. Keep on this road through Windermere and Ambleside. In Ambleside follow the signs for A591 Keswick. Speeds start to slow down as you approach Ambleside! The approach to Grasmere is marked by a sharp right hand bend, a lake (Grasmere) on the left hand side and the Daffodil Hotel and Spa on your left. Carry on to the mini roundabout just after the hotel; turn right at this roundabout.
From the North (M6)
Leave the M6 and junction 40 following the signs for Penrith, Keswick, Brough A66. At the roundabout take the right hand exit - A66 Workington, Keswick. Stay on the A66 to Keswick for around 12 miles and then turn left on the B5322 Thirlmere. Follow this road for 4 miles until you reach a junction with the A591 Keswick/Ambleside road. Turn left and drive south for about 7 miles. This road will take you alongside Thirlmere, over Dunmail Raise and then down into the Grasmere valley. Ignore the first turning on the right and carry on until you see a mini roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout.
From Mini Roundabout
The entrance to the ground is the first gate on the right. There should be someone waiting to book you in. If the gates are locked, you may have arrived too early. You will need to park in the main car park for the village until we open for business.
There is a camping area and a camper van/caravan area. You will be directed to the right area on arrival. There are facilities on the showground - free showers, toilets and water.
The Grasmere sportsground web site can be found at http://grasmeresports.com/
For Information on Previous Events - Click on the year
| 2024 | Grasmere | 20 - 23 June 2024 |
| 2023 | Grasmere | 16 - 18 June 2023 |
| 2022 | Grasmere | 17 - 19 June 2022 |
| 2021 | Grasmere | 17 - 18 July 2021 |
| 2020 | Cancelled | Cancelled due to Coronavirus restrictions |
| 2019 | Grasmere | 21 - 23 June 2019 |
| 2018 | Grasmere | 13 - 15 July 2018 |
| 2017 | Grasmere | 14 - 17 July 2017 |
| 2016 | Grasmere | 15 - 18 July 2016 |
| 2015 | Buttermere | 29/30 May 2015 |
| 2014 | Buttermere | 30/31 May 2014 |
| 2013 | Buttermere | 31 May/1 June 2013 |
| 2012 | Buttermere | 8/9 June 2012 |
| 2011 | Buttermere | 3/4 June 2011 |
| 2010 | Buttermere | 4/5 June 2010 |
| 2009 | Buttermere | 5/6 June 2009 |
| 2008 | Buttermere | 6/7 June 2008 |
| 2007 | Buttermere | 1/2 June 2008 |