Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Fowey Gallants Sailing Club: Your Home for Sailing Adventures
Established in 1947, Fowey Gallants Sailing Club has grown from a small youth sailing initiative into a thriving community hub for sailors of all ages. Our history of merging tradition with innovation began with founder Wilfred Denaro's vision to promote sailing among young people, a mission we continue through our extensive junior programmes and modern facilities. The club's 1972 merger with Fowey Sailing Club marked a pivotal expansion, enabling significant investments in infrastructure including our riverside premises and state-of-the-art training facilities. Today, we offer a comprehensive sailing calendar featuring competitive racing, leisure cruising, and RYA-certified training courses for both juniors and adults. Our unique position as a social and sporting hub is reinforced by our award-winning bar and dining facilities, which host regular events from themed suppers to live sports viewings.The club's volunteer-driven ethos remains central to our operations, with dedicated members maintaining our boats, organising safety services, and delivering training programmes. We pride ourselves on accessibility, offering club boat hire, safety training, and inclusive policies that cater to diverse abilities and backgrounds. Our strategic location on Cornwall's River Fowey provides unparalleled access to diverse sailing conditions, from sheltered river cruises to challenging coastal waters. The club continues to evolve while honouring its founding principles, recently expanding training offerings to include marine radio certification and engine maintenance courses. With over 75 years of maritime heritage, we remain committed to fostering sailing excellence and community engagement in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.
Services
Sailing Courses
Safety Boat Service
RYA Training
Bar & Dining
Racing Events
Boat Hire
Marine Training
Event Hosting
Junior Programmes
Crew Networking
Details
- Year established: 1947
Highlights and features
- We offer RYA-certified training for all ages from 7+ with experienced instructors
- Our safety boat crew provides professional race support and water safety services
- We maintain modern facilities including a fully equipped training centre and riverside bar
- Our volunteer-driven approach ensures community-focused maritime experiences
- We provide accessible sailing opportunities with club boat hire and junior programmes
Associations and certifications
- Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
Services
RYA Training Courses
We provide Royal Yachting Association-certified sailing instruction for ages 7+. Our experienced instructors deliver courses in both practical and theoretical aspects of sailing. Members receive discounted rates on all training programmes including beginner taster sessions and advanced racing techniques.
Safety Boat Service
Our volunteer safety crews provide professional race support and water safety services. Equipped with modern safety boats, we ensure participant safety during racing events and offer assistance with equipment recovery and emergency response.
Competitive Racing
We organise regular racing events including the Fowey Rivers and Troys fleets. Our calendar features summer series and winter handicap racing with handicap fleet racing available year-round for all dinghy types.
Boat Hire
Club members can hire boats including Mirror dinghies at affordable rates. This service provides access to sailing for those without personal vessels while maintaining our fleet through regular winter maintenance and upgrades.
Marine Training
We offer RYA Powerboat Level 1 and 2 courses alongside marine radio and first aid certifications. Our training centre plans to expand into diesel engine maintenance and shore-based theory instruction.
People
Allen Toms
Commodore
Experienced yachting leader with decades of maritime expertise, overseeing club operations and strategic direction while maintaining strong community connections.
Jaz Spencer
Training Chief Instructor
Certified RYA instructor managing sailing education programmes, with special responsibility for developing youth training initiatives and instructor development.
Paula Trewick
Honorary Treasurer
Financial steward with extensive experience in maritime business operations, managing club finances and overseeing bar and catering services.
Ian Madgwick
Bosun
Maritime operations specialist responsible for boat maintenance and storage, ensuring fleet readiness and safety equipment compliance.
Nicola Horne
Membership Secretary
Membership coordinator handling new applications and communications, with additional responsibility for website management and media relations.
Questions
What sailing courses do you offer?
We provide RYA-certified courses for juniors (ages 7+) and adults at all levels, including taster sessions, powerboat training, and marine radio certification.
Can non-members use your facilities?
While membership offers discounted rates, visitors are welcome to use our bar and dining facilities and participate in certain training courses.
How do I join the club?
Apply online through our website or contact the membership secretary with your preferred membership category and email address for registration.
Do you have safety provisions for racing?
Our volunteer safety boat crews provide comprehensive race support, including emergency response, course marking, and competitor assistance.
What events do you host annually?
We organise the Fowey Classics Week, Winter Series racing, themed suppers, and special events like the Beaujolais Supper and RNLI Auction.
Can I hire boats without owning one?
Club members can hire Mirror dinghies and other vessels at affordable rates for both recreational use and racing participation.