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HISTORY
Burnham-on-Crouch Sailing Club
The club was formed in 1930 by a small group of yacht crews and local marine business people who, in those days, were barred from Yacht Racing Association (YRA) membership because of their occupation. The first races in 1931 were sailed in dinghies and 'three quarter deckers' and since then, with the exception of the war years, a regular programme of Wednesday evening racing for dinghies, one designs and cruisers has been promoted from April to September.
Facilities
The current clubhouse was built in 1935 and now enjoys a private car park, dinghy park, launching facilities by floating pontoon, showers etc. The comfortable clubhouse commands an uninterrupted view of the river whilst refreshments and bar facilities are available on Wednesday evenings and Friday evenings which is our junior training night.
Racing
The club is renowned for its Wednesday evening racing programme which attracts boats from all clubs on the river, from cruiser racers, classes I to IV, squibs, dinghies etc. afterwards. This is a lively and enjoyable series for both competitive racers and those just fun sailing, culminating in the clubhouse where a choice of hot suppers is served.
Junior Section
The club has an exceptionally large and active junior section sailing every Friday evening from April to September when children are encouraged to get afloat and enjoy the river under the watchful eyes of volunteer club members in our fleet of safety boats. Our main aim is to teach children how to be safe on the water so they can discover the fun to be had messing about in boats. Depending on inclination, age and ability our juniors can simply have rides in a motor launch, crew a scow or squib, sail in an optimist or sail their own dinghies, e.g. toppers, lasers etc.
The junior regatta in September is a fun day for all ages and includes a treasure hunt and crabbing competition for the young at heart. There is a series of short races for the more experienced youngsters followed by a prize giving and barbecue. Many club juniors become accomplished racing sailors who participate in Wednesday night racing as well as open meetings nationally. The junior year ends with their own prize-giving dinner and disco for all ages.
Social
The club is self-run by members. Social events are laid on by an energetic social committee, including fitting out supper, Burnham Week events, prize giving dinner, winter warmer and Christmas party. The social life of the club also provides cruising members the chance to get together on the water. The annual Commodore's cruise enables all members to board anything that floats and head up river in company, meeting up for lunch and enjoying a fun day out for all.
Membership
We continue to be an affordable, friendly family club with an active sailing programme. New members can join having been proposed and seconded by existing members. Various categories of membership are available.
If you are new to the area, join us on a Wednesday or Friday evening during the season where members and Flag officers will be available to welcome you. You can also phone or write to our membership secretary who will be happy to send application forms and further details.
We offer more sailing per pound than any other Burnham Club.
MEMBERSHIP FEES 2008
SAILING MEMBER
Single £71.50
Married Couple £101.00
Senior Citizen - Single £49.00
Senior Citizen - Married Couple £65.50
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP
Sailing Parents plus all their
children up to age of 18. £108.00
SOCIAL MEMBER
Single £38.50
Married Couple £50.00
Senior Citizen - Single £25.00
Senior Citizen - Married Couple £35.50
FAMILY JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP
Registered Sailing Juniors
with non sailing parents £54.00
YOUTH MEMBER
18 - 20 years £25.00
RACE FEE FOR THE SPRING SERIES £34.00
RACE FEE FOR THE SUMMER SERIES £34.00
RACE FEE JUNIORS Total £10.00
ADULT DINGHY RACE FEE (Sailing Members) No charge
DINGHY PARK FEE (including tenders)1st April to 31st October £31.00
DINGHT PARK FEE FOR
JUNIORS including YOUTH 1st April to 31st October £19.00
Junior Prospectus
General
The junior section of the club is run by parents and helpers of the club. They teach and offer sailing activities to the highest national standards of sailing in line with Royal Yachting Association guidelines. Numerous sailing club members have competed at national and international level and so to do the children of the junior section. We are very proud of the sailing standards of the club.
The junior section relies on an army of volunteers, not only afloat, but ashore to. We offer a warm welcome to parents and expect them to help in what ever capacity they can.
Sailing is not an expensive or exclusive sport. It is one of the most popular participating sports in the country and we excel at it as proved in the last Olympics. By crewing in a boat all you need are a few clothing basics. If you wish to go on and helm your own boat then boats range in cost from the basic for a few hundred pounds, up to international competitive standards for many thousands.
Sailing can either be a basic skill to be learned and enjoyed on an occasional basis or can be taken all the way to advanced competition. Sailing has many attributes, mechanical aptitude, co-ordination, balance, determination, physical fitness, mental aptitude and thought. Racing is likened to playing chess with many complicated rules to know and act out, making decisions at speed whist getting the best boat speed.
The junior section ranges from children of 6 up to 18 year of age. We encourage children to start sailing at any age over 6. The activities are spilt up into age / ability groups.
Activities
The activities of the junior section are categorised as follows:
Racing – This is mainly held on Wednesday nights during the summer. The start time is 18:30 for the first class. We hold racing for 2 classes, Optimist and Handicap. The racing course is normally in front of the clubhouse as sailing is also a good spectator sport, especially if your child is out there! To enter these races a child must be fairly competent and typically a child would have been first trained on a Friday night. This racing is open to visitors and we welcome non-members to join us for up to 4 races.
Special events – such as open meetings, and regatta days - are extra events held during the year.
Training.
The heart of the junior section is its training on a Friday Night. Friday nights start at 17:00hrs for the younger ones and at 18:00hrs for the older ones.
Friday Night Training Groups
|
Name |
Age group |
Level |
Syllabus |
|
Tadpoles |
6-7 |
No experience |
Introduction to the water and boats, learning of boating terms, children are taken afloat in motor launches and sailing boats with adults. |
|
Sprats |
6 - 8 |
No experience |
Introduction to sailing, basic teaching of sailing starting with helming a course (steering), wind awareness, holding the main sheet.(Sail in) positions in the boat.
This is very basic stuff and often requires one to one teaching in order to give the child confidence. This teaching is done in Optimists either on a pond or on the river subject to conditions. |
|
Bass |
8-10 |
Basic Sailing Skills |
Basic sailing around a course which in involve sailing on all points of the wind. Boat handling. Tacking and Gybing, Balance, Trim, Sailing setting, Course to steer and made good. Basic right of way rules. Capsizing |
|
Gypsy Moth |
10 - 15 |
Race Training |
Sailing competitively, Racing rules. Starting procedures and techniques. Boat tuning. Boat handling. Sailing in windy conditions. |
|
Handicap |
10 - 18 |
Basic to Good |
This group is for all other types of boat, e.g. Cadets, Lasers, Fevas, Toppers, Topaz’s, Scows etc. This mixture a single-handed and two handed boats. Due to the diversity of the group, the time is split into race training, fun and games, and general sailing. |
Boats.
The club has 6 Optimists for loan. To learn more about this class of boat please see www.optimistsailing.org.uk and www.optiworld.org Most children, however, have their own boats.
The club will encourage children to sail any type of boat, hence the handicap group. It is better for racing and companionship if children can sail boats of the same type. We particularly encourage the Laser as the preferred single hander and the Feva as the preferred 2-man boat.
Safety.
Your child’s safety is paramount to us. The sport and our club have an excellent safety record. We insist that all children and adults to wear buoyancy aids when anywhere near water. We have a fleet of patrol boats to monitor them afloat with very competent, experienced persons.
Membership
The Sailing club is a private members club and for your child to take part in the activities they will need to join together with an adult. The membership cost is kept as low as possible to promote the sport. Please see web site for latest rates.
Facilities
The Burnham sailing club is situated on the seawall at the western end of Burnham just before the open field and the house boats. We have a large car and dinghy park. In the club you will find toilets, changing rooms, and galley. We have a floating pontoon which goes out into the river to past the low water mark so there is no need to even get your feet wet when sailing.
Welcome
Whether you are a member or not, please come and visit us on a Wednesday or Friday evening during the sailing season. The children’s racing on a Wednesday starts at 18:30hrs and a selection of food is served. Friday nights start early depending on the age of child. Come in and introduce yourself as a visitor and avail yourself of our facilities. If you are unsure if your child would like sailing please contact us, and we will arrange a trial evening for them or you are welcome to take your chance subject to numbers any Friday.
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