Wilsonian Sailing Club is on the north bank of the River Medway close to the village of Hoo, near Rochester in Kent. It is a very friendly club and is probably the largest club solely for dinghy sailors in the north of Kent. We can accept applications from monohull dinghies up to 5.5m length with Portsmouth Yardstick numbers not exceeding 1382 (except for Juniors). The club is located in woodland on a south facing hillside next to a shingle beach from which you can launch and recover at any stage of the tide. We have a full racing programme and the river provides an excellent cruising area.
The clubhouse provides substantial changing accommodation with showers and toilets, while on the first floor there is a spacious bar, kitchen, lounge and sun terrace with excellent views of the river.
The club is unpretentious and has no employees, which keeps subscriptions down. However, this does mean that we expect our members to give up two or three days sailing during the season to help run the club. There are also working parties in the winter. Most members agree that this provides not only an opportunity to become more involved in the operation of the club, but also to meet and chat to other members.
The clubhouse is normally open from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday evening as well as Bank Holidays. You can sail at other times and although the clubhouse will not be open, there is an outside toilet available to members which also provides a useful changing area.
RACING
Apart from a short break early January , racing is organized on Sundays all year round. The first event of the year is our New Year's Day race. Starting mid-January is our Warm-up Series which is an informal all-classes handicap series and takes us up to our main season start at the end of March. From end March to end October are the main club trophy series and individual races with both class and handicap fleet racing. In November and December we have our Open Winter Series. Also, from the beginning of May to the end of August we have an informal Wednesday Evening series. In addition, we run several open meetings during the year including the Wilsonian Grand Prix, Medway Dinghy Regatta and Topper open.
We have established fleets in the following:
- Class Racing:
Miracle
- Handicap Racing:
Fast, Medium, Slow and Junior fleets.
Currently, the more regularly sailed classes include: 29er, Buzz, Contender, Kestrel, Lark, Laser, Laser Radial, Laser II, Laser 2000, Laser 3000 & V3000, Laser 4000, Laser Vortex, Osprey, Phantom, RS400, RS500, RS600, RS800, RS Vision, Topper, Wayfarer.
Other classes may be raced subject to prior approval by the Sailing Committee.
CRUISING
Although we encourage our members to take part in racing, if you prefer just cruising or pottering, the location is an idyllic spot from which to explore the creeks and backwaters of the Medway or for long distance sailing. Some of our racing fleets organise occasional fleet cruises and most years there is at least one club cruise.
TRAINING
For both the novice and experienced sailor, we offer the benefit of being a Royal Yachting Association recognised teaching establishment. Training is available at the club leading to qualifications in sailing, racing, powerboat and race officer.
We are a Volvo RYA Champion Club which means there is an active race training programme for junior and youth members.
We are also an examination centre for the RYA Helmsman Overseas Certificate of Competence. Details are available from our Training Principal.
OFF THE WATER
A variety of social events is held both in and out of season including barbecues, bonfire night, annual dinner and prize giving, children's Christmas party and fleet evenings.
SAFETY
There is always an element of risk in sailing but the Medway provides sheltered waters and, as it is a popular leisure area, there is nearly always a helping hand available if you have any problems. Our racing fleets are always accompanied by patrol boats. There is some commercial traffic, but few large vessels interfere with sailing.
