If you have ever been lucky enough to have walked around our
beautiful local Staunton Harold reservoir you will have probably
wondered at all the sailing boats regularly on the water? And have
you, perhaps, ever thought that you or your family might like to
join them out there? Have you always wanted to do it and
somehow never got round to it?
Or do you want to discover a way to get fit and healthy without
even thinking about it?
Well, it may be just a lot easier to get involved than you
think. Those boats are from the Staunton Harold Sailing Club based
at the reservoir. It is recognized as one of the best and
friendliest in the country for a sport in which the UK leads the
world. Sailing is a sport which can be enjoyed by people of all
ages and abilities.
You can just relax and enjoy cruising around the lake in the
beautiful surroundings, or learn how to race competitively.
Staunton Harold Sailing Club has sailors from under ten to over
seventy, many of whom enjoy racing on weekends and Wednesday
evenings, whatever their ability. Those that don't want to race can
cruise about at the same time, or on Thursday and Friday.
And if you want to progress further, the club has developed and
supported sailors who travel the UK and beyond racing in national
and international events.
To support the sailing, the club's facilities include dedicated
training room, fully equipped kitchen (or galley as the club
members call it), changing rooms, and brand new comfortable bar and
"wet" areas to relax in.
On the water there are
always safety boats with qualified operators watching over the
sailors.
So if you want to learn, Staunton Harold Sailing Club is an RYA
recognized teaching establishment and has been providing sail
training for many years. The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) is
the National Governing Body for sailing in Britain.
Training courses are run to the guidelines and recommendations
of the RYA. All instructors and safety boat drivers are RYA
qualified and all equipment reaches a high standard. If you are
taking your first steps afloat, SHSC provides an ideal safe and
friendly environment. And you don't even have to join the club to
take part in the training. If you decide, after the course, that
the sport is for you will get preferential rate to join the
club…..and some free vouchers for the use of the club boats, though
this has to be on a first come first served basis and depends on
availability. And the wind is free!
The comprehensive fleet
of training dinghies include 6 RS Visions, 2 Laser IIs, 12 Optibats
and 2 Toppers, and 2 RS Fevas.
2011 promises to be another exciting year for the Sailing School
at Staunton Harold as we again offer a number of courses for adults
and juniors, members and non-members. Have a elsewhere on this
website for the schedules and prices for the courses, plus a lot
more information about the club and its members. Or just come along
to the club, introduce yourself, have a chat, a look around and
pick up some information.
Stop Press: We have waived the joining fee for 2011!
