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Event info
The X-Lakes Challenge is a hike and fly event, where you create your own adventure in the fells of the Lake District.
The two day challenge is an approximately 24-hour event and is a race to goal format following the Bob Graham Round route, either in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
Flying site
Please respect the local Cumbria Soaring Club rules and etiquette in the National Park. If you're unsure then please read this link:
https://www.cumbriasoaringclub.co.uk/CSC_Home.php...
- left before start of event
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Registration will open on
08/01 06:00 (Europe/London)
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🛰️
Live trackers supplied
The organiser will supply Live trackers to you, for safety and scoring
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🚁❌
No Helicopter rescue
There are no helicopters in this region.
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⚕️❌
No Medic on takeoff
There will not be medicical services on launch.
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📱
Good phone coverage
The region generally has good phone coverage
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📻❌
No radio coverage
The radio is not monitored.
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🛰️
Live trackers mandatory
Live Tracking is MANDATORY in this event to score. The organiser will provide the trackers.
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🛰
Tracklogs managed
The organisers will download the tracklogs at HQ for scoring
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🎉
Party
There will be an organised party during or after the event
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🎵
Live music
There will be live music or a DJ at the event
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♻️
Plastic reduction
The organisers support reducing the use of unnecessary plastic at the event. This includes NOT giving disposable water bottles
Contacts
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X-Lakes Competition Director
- John Westall
- 07884037144
- john.westall@gmail.com
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LCC Director
- Paul Abbott
- 07840 059561
- lcc@cumbriasoaringclub.co.uk
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Sponsorship Handler
- Rob Easthope
- info@x-lakes.uk
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LCC Competition Director
- Richard Bungay
- info@x-lakes.uk
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Social Media Technician
- Oli Beswick
- info@x-lakes.uk
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Sponsorship Handler
- Jacob Aubrey
- info@x-lakes.uk
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Social Media Technician
- Keith Paterson
- info@x-lakes.uk
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Admin
- Phil Hewitson
- 07900920232
- lcc@cumbriasoaringclub.co.uk
Event info
The X-Lakes Challenge is a hike and fly event, where you create your own adventure in the fells of the Lake District.
The two day challenge is an approximately 24-hour event and is a race to goal format following the Bob Graham Round route, either in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Timings will be confirmed by the race director on the Thursday evening briefing, but competitors should plan to start from 08:00 Friday and fly/hike until 22:00 on Saturday, stop flying at 21:00, and resting at 22:00 on Friday night. Then re-starting at 07:00 on Saturday morning, finishing back at the Grasmere at no later than 17:00.
The full course will consist of all 5 legs starting and finishing at Grasmere Show Ground. The intersection onto the course will be Dunmail Raise. All competitors will start together, the winner is the pilot that completes the course first, starting and finishing at the Grasmere Show Ground.
*GENERAL RULES*
1. Travel is only permitted by foot or by paraglider within the race times.
2. No other form of travel is permitted within race times.
3. Turn points can be tagged on foot or in the air and must be tagged in order.
4. The pilot is responsible for their route between turn points and decision to fly.
5. Pilots may have assistants but they are not permitted to carry any of the equipment listed below.
6. Do not deliberately fly in clouds to gain an advantage.
*FLYING EQUIPMENT*
All flying equipment must be homologated in an airworthy condition and be BHPA approved and comply with the latest edition of the following EN certification standards:
• Paraglider: EN 926-2 and 926-1 or LTF 91/09, having aspect ratio under 7,2.
• Harness: EN 1651 with certified protection, or LTF 91/09.
• Emergency parachute: EN 12491 or LTF 91/09.
• Helmet: EN 966 or snowboarding EN 1077 class is accepted.
• CCC Paragliders are not permitted.
All participants are provided with waypoints for the Bob Graham peaks in advance and competitors are tracked, and then scored, using GPS tracking devices. Despite these measures, the decision to participate, run, walk or fly remains the sole responsibility of those who choose to enter the event.
At the discretion of the task committee, rules published in these pages may be adjusted/changed and will be notified as early as possible to all registered participants.
Flying site
Selection and entry fee
All XC competitors require a PILOT RATING, meaning you must have passed your BHPA pilot rating or have the International Pilot Proficiency Information (IPPI) level 4 before 18 June 2026 to take part. ENSURE you answer the poll question on the registration page for the pilot rating.
A maximum of 40 places are available for the X-Lakes two day challenge. The organisers will reserve some places as wildcard positions to be awarded at their discretion. If successful, entrants will be invited to make their charitable donation. If the payment is not received within two weeks of acceptance your place will be given to the first competitor on the waiting list.
Please don’t try to register for any of the other LLC events to edge your chances of success.
*GENERAL GUIDELINES, SAFETY AND COMMUNICATION*
- A picture of both sides of your BHPA card or international equivalent must be sent to the race director john.westall@gmail.com once you have registered.
- All competitors including international pilots must have BHPA insurance. (We have agreed to pay the BHPA insurance £60 for the first 5 international pilots).
- An “assumption of risk” form must be completed at registration.
- Mobile coverage on the Lakeland Fells is limited. A satellite beacon, such as an InReach or SPOT, is strongly recommended as a personal emergency SOS device.
- Please sign up with Puretrack.io as we will be using this at the event for safety.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://puretrack.io/trackers&ved=2ahUKEwic-M25jsiLAxW1U0EAHTRYFmkQFnoECBMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3m5U7dgl94crXGrcqKrthC
Once you have joined up please join the one day X-Lakes group within pure track.
https://puretrack.io/join/x-lakes
- Ensure you join the X-Lakes Official Telegram Competitors and Chat Groups.
Competitors Official Group: https://t.me/+t9vPlzuFibNhOGJk
Competitors Chat Group: https://t.me/+YOQDeiH_V91hZjBk
- Ensure you join the LCC/X-Lakes 2025 Admin Group.
This group is used to brief everyone on the campsite of any Important or relevant information.
https://t.me/+vt3WGPbZEMhiMDNk
- WORLD PILOT RANKING SCHEME (WPRS)
The X-Lakes is a FAI Category 2 status so competitors can gain WPRS points.
Pilots that wish to gain WPRS points must have CIVL IDs. Please go to https://ams.fai.org/sign-in
Once registered please inform the X-Lakes Team of your CIVL IDs.
- Cumbria Soaring Club members enjoy a discount on the donation when entering. The entry donation includes one meal on the Saturday night.
Documents required at registration
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FAI Sporting Licence
Issued by your local NAC on behalf of the FAI. You cannot normally compete in an FAI event without one. Contact your National Association (NAC)
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FAI IPPI Card
The FAI IPPI card is an International card that states your skill level. It is issued by your National Association and matches the level or your flying Licence
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National Licence
The organiser requires you to present your National flying licence.
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Signed Application form
You will need to sign an applicaton form at the venue. Usually the organiser will provide it on arrival.
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Signed Waiver/Release form
You will need to sign a waiver or release document to show you understand the risks. Usually the organiser will provide it on arrival.
Cancellation Policy
If the organisers have to cancel more than four weeks prior to the event, then all payments will be offered for refund although entrants may opt to allow their unused entry fee to go forward for donation to charity.
The event will proceed regardless of the weather.
Prize fund and scoring categories
- The winner is the pilot that completes the course first, starting and finishing at the Grasmere Show Ground. In the event that no body finishes the course the winner will be the competitor who has tagged the most waypoints and is furthest down the specified course route. We will be awarding a prize to the highest placed male and female competitors, and a trophy for the over all winner.
- A trophy is awarded to the highest placed Vol-Biv competitor.
- A ‘Jo-median’ trophy will also be provided for the person coming in the mid-field position in the two day challenge to recognise the value of simply taking part in the X-Lakes challenge!
General schedule
Wednesday 17 June:
12:00
- Grasmere show-ground opens from noon onwards
- Collect Wristbands
- Park Up / Pitch Tents
- Volunteers needed to help us set up
- Free-Flying
Thursday 18 June:
17:00 - 19:00 - Registration
19:30 - 20:30 - LCC and X-Lakes Briefings
Friday 19 June:
06:30 - 07:30 - Issue Trackers
08:00 - Start Challenge
21:00 - Two Day Challenge Flying Ceases
22:00 - Two Day Challenge Mandatory Night Pause
Saturday 20 June:
07:00 - Two Day Challenge Re-Starts
17:00 - Day Two Challenge Ends
18:00 - 20:00 Evening meal, Raffle and Prize-Giving
20:00 - 22:00 - Evening Entertainment
Sunday 21 June:
09:00
- Volunteers needed to help us de-camp
- Free-Flying
- Depart from show ground
Daily schedule
12:00 Arrival at Gramere:
- On arrival at the Grasmere show-ground
ensure you collect your wristbands from the main office.
- Choose a perfect pitch to camp.
- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP US SET UP
- Free Flying:
During the LCC event please take advantage of our beautiful flying areas and explore to your heart's content.
Thursday 18 June
17:00 Registration:
All competitors and their supporters will be welcomed to registration at the main office at 17:00.
19:00 Registration Closes:
Please come in good time to registration as we will be finishing promptly ready for the Briefing.
19:30 Event Briefing:
During the briefing the task committee and organisers will discuss local weather and possible route options. The technical support team will demonstrate the tracking systems and the safety support systems will be discussed. A local knowledge expert will discuss the complex mountain systems and how the sea breeze will affect the area during the competition, this will help you with your route selection.
Friday 19 June
06:30 Collect Trackers:
Competitors are required to report to collect their trackers from the main office at 06:30 on the Friday of the event.
07:30 Confirmatory Brief:
The task committee may elect to have a confirmatory briefing at 07:30 in which case all participants will be informed by the X-Lakes Official Telegram Group.
08:00 Challenge Start:
The Challenge will begin at 08:00. Any change to this plan will be shared by the X-Lakes Official Telegram Group. All competitors must write their name on the appropriate sign inboard in block capitals before the challenge starts to confirm they are competing.
21:00 Flying Ceases
Compulsory NO flying after 21:00.
22:00 Competitors Rest Period:
All two day competitors must stop and report in their position to the X-Lakes Official Telegram Group at 22:00.
Saturday 20 June
07:00 Two Day Challenge Re-Start Time:
All competitors must return to their finish locations to restart their Challenge not before 07:00.
17:00 Two Day Finish:
The two day challenge finishes at 17:00 on Saturday, all competitors must sign in by their name on the athletes two day challenge sign inboard.
Any competitor may withdraw from the event at any time. However, they must inform the event organisers on the X-Lakes Official Telegram Group and when they return sign in by their name on the two day challenge sign inboard.
Failure to report with drawing could cause a major rescue being activated.
18:00 -19:00 Evening Meal and Raffle.
All competitors, supporters and guests are welcome to join us for their free evening meal and buy their raffle tickets to support our charity fundraising causes.
19:00 - 20:00 Prize Giving
20:00 - 22:00 Evening Entertainment
Sunday 21 June
09:00
- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP US DE-CAMP
- Free-Flying
- Depart from show ground
Accommodation and Activities
Motorhomes and caravans are welcomed on the sports field. Camping is available from Wednesday to Sunday. The grassy tented areas are flat and it is usually possible to park alongside your tent. Free showers. There are NO electric hookups for campervans.
Non-competitors / guests are also welcome to camp and attend but must pre-book via this online form by 16 June - https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/lcc-x-lakes-2025
GRASMERE SHOW-GROUND SITE RULES
• No fires
• No BBQs directly on the grass
• All rubbish to be put in the skip by the pavilion
• TAKE HOME your recycling please
• Generators must be on trays
• Toilet chemicals must be GREEN
• No noise after 22.00 or loud music at anytime
• Landing is allowed in the main field in the marked area
• No DRONES without event director permission
• Dogs must be on a lead at all times
If you prefer not to camp, search the usual online accommodation portals for Grasmere Village options to suit most budgets.
The X-Lakes hike and fly challenges are now officially Cumbria Soaring Club events and will again run alongside the LCC. They overlap with the LCC events so it is not possible to take part in both.
How to get here
The map below shows the event main office / Grasmere Sports Field location.
The link below directs you to the main access to the sports field:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/v3n3e2mLWK3vNqVs6
1 Stock Ln,
Grasmere,
Ambleside LA22 9SJ, UK
Grasmere United Kingdom
Downloads
Waypoint files
Organizers
Contacts
-
X-Lakes Competition Director
- John Westall
- 07884037144
- john.westall@gmail.com
-
LCC Director
- Paul Abbott
- 07840 059561
- lcc@cumbriasoaringclub.co.uk
-
Sponsorship Handler
- Rob Easthope
- info@x-lakes.uk
-
LCC Competition Director
- Richard Bungay
- info@x-lakes.uk
-
Social Media Technician
- Oli Beswick
- info@x-lakes.uk
-
Sponsorship Handler
- Jacob Aubrey
- info@x-lakes.uk
-
Social Media Technician
- Keith Paterson
- info@x-lakes.uk
-
Admin
- Phil Hewitson
- 07900920232
- lcc@cumbriasoaringclub.co.uk