Sandbox
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN
Enjoy sailing on the beautiful River Blyth with wide open skies and marshland to frame the waterscape, or venture out to sea for some exhilarating coastal sailing with spectacular offshore vistas of the Suffolk Coast. The club is most active from April to September.
Throughout the sailing season it holds regular, Friday open evenings as an opportunity for potential members to find out what’s on offer. Membership categories include those for individuals, families, seniors, joint seniors and life members! It is also open to visitors on a temporary basis.
Join the WhatsApp group for frequent, informal updates of what’s happening, and receive regular newsletters to find out about upcoming events, training opportunities and the social scene.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Regardless of experience, at Southwold Sailing Club you can enter the exhilarating world of sailing, both upriver and on the sea. Our friendly and informal club is perfectly situated for dinghy and cruiser sailing and welcomes members with a wide range of backgrounds, ages and level of experience.
With a younger dynamic, we are a family-friendly club with a thriving social scene, and members can always find out what’s happening via the Whatsapp Group. Our more experienced members are always happy to help and advise, allowing you to be out there in the elements, taking control and gaining confidence. The well-appointed clubhouse includes a cosy bar and a larger function room. Its stunning location ensures that members or visitors can sit on the balcony with glass in hand to catch all the action on the river, or the best sunset view in Southwold.
Membership FAQ
Who is included in a Family Membership?
Everyone in a household, e.g. parents and any number of children under 18 years of age.
My partner and family don’t sail. Will they be welcome at the club?
Yes. We are family friendly club and we are always pleased to welcome non-sailing members of your family.
Can I be a member without owning a dinghy?
Yes. You don’t have to own a dinghy to enjoy sailing at the club. We usually have members who need crew and that’s one way, or you can sail one of our club dinghies for a small donation towards maintenance but these can only be used on club days.
When are the club days?
Club Days are within the sailing season (Late March to October) and are on Sundays and Wednesday evenings when tides allow. These are in the program and online. Sunday is the most popular day as this is our race day. However, club days are only allowed when there is safety boat cover, so members usually contact each other to establish if there are enough members sailing and a volunteer to cover safety.
Do you provide training?
We are not able to do so at the moment, however there is usually always a member to help get you sailing, weather conditions permitting. We also run Officer of the Day (OOD) and safety boat training for all members as and when required
Can children sail?
Yes. But children must be supervised by a parent or another responsible adult at all times.
Do you have a joining fee as well as a membership fee?
Yes, this is just a one off small fee.
Is there a fee for berthing (storing) my dinghy?
Yes, there is a fee for both Summer and Winter berthing. Some members take their boat home for the winter and some hardy folk sail on through the winter!
Can I sail without becoming a member?
Only at the invitation to sail with a member or at one of our open days. However, we would expect anyone wanting to sail regularly to become a full member.
Do I have to race?
No. We welcome anyone who enjoys sailing no matter whether their preference is for racing or cruising. However, we do believe that the best way to improve your sailing abilities is to sail in a fleet with other boats and club racing gives you the ideal opportunity to do this. A number of our current members who joined with no intention to race are now regulars at races so ‘never say never’.
Is safety cover always available?
During club days, there is always a safety boat on the water. We do expect members to provide safety cover and Officer of the Day duties (OOD) on rota basis, but only after you have completed training and assisted OOD showing you are competent.
Do I have to help with the maintenance and running of the club?
As we are a small club, we rely on members volunteering to help with maintenance of the site and the club house. Working parties are arranged a few times a year with a plan of work, there are usually enough volunteers, but more the better. It’s a great way to get to know other members and there is usually a pint or two afterwards to discuss what was/what wasn’t completed!