Southwold Sailing Club

Southwold Sailing Club is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty at Southwold Harbour, approx. one mile from the mouth of the River Blyth on the Suffolk Coast. Southwold Sailing Club is a membership-based sailing club and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charities Commission (registration no. 1217396). The purpose (object) of the club is to promote and facilitate community participation in healthy recreation for the public benefit by providing facilities for sailing for those resident in Southwold and surrounding areas. The club has approx 150 members who include: dinghy and cruiser sailors with skill levels ranging from complete novice to very experienced (new members are always welcome). The amenities at Southwold include visitors moorings, local shops and a wide selection of pubs and restaurants. Extensive boatbuilding and marine engineering facilities are also available locally. The sailing programme features regular Sunday racing for dinghies either at sea or up the river and the legendary Friday night series for the cruisers with the occasional longer passage race. The dinghy fleet comprises a wide range of craft including Javelins, Lasers and Wayfarers. The cruiser fleet includes both lightweight cruiser-racers and heavy displacement cruisers ranging in size from 7m to 15m. The dinghy and cruiser races which are conducted under RYA Rules are open to all classes and handicaps are applied by the Racing and Handicaps Committee in line with the Portsmouth Yardstick Ratings. The dinghy races are keenly contested (mostly!) but in the case of the cruisers a more ‘laid back’ style is the norm – sitting on the windward rail is much too uncomfortable. The following events are regular features of the sailing programme: White Hart River Races, Sizewell Race, Spring, Summer & Autumn series, Barnard Buoy Race, Gabbard Grail Cruiser Race, John Leach Memorial Trophy Southwold to Ostend Cruiser Race, August bank holiday regattas. In addition the Club hosts larger sailing events such as, National and European Championships, Open meetings, Gaffer meets and races. We also welcome visiting yachts and yacht groups from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and from round the UK.