Dorchester Sailing Club

Business Details

Your Trusted Sailing Club in Dorchester-on-Thames

Dorchester Sailing Club is a family-friendly sailing community nestled in the Thames Valley, offering a welcoming environment for sailors of all skill levels. Our 16-hectare lake, complete with multiple islands, provides an ideal setting for leisure sailing, competitive racing, and structured training. As a registered charity governed by our members, we prioritise accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring our facilities and activities cater to both newcomers and experienced enthusiasts. Our RYA-recognised training programmes focus on youth development while also accommodating adult learners, reflecting our commitment to nurturing future generations of sailors. The club maintains a diverse fleet of dinghies available for member hire, including Wayfarers, Lasers, and Toppers, alongside secure storage for private vessels.

With handicap racing every Sunday and informal summer evening races, we foster a vibrant competitive spirit while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere for casual sailing. Our modern clubhouse and lakeside amenities create a social hub for members to connect and enjoy the waterside setting. The club actively encourages new memberships, inviting prospective members to visit on Sunday mornings to experience our community firsthand. Our volunteer-led structure ensures operational efficiency while maintaining personal connections with all members. Through annual events like the National Schools Sailing Association regatta, we contribute to regional and national sailing culture while celebrating local talent.

Services

Sailing Training Racing Membership Boat Hire Youth Training Adult Courses Events

Highlights and features

We are a registered charity focused on accessible sailing for all ages
Recognised RYA Sail Training Centre with youth-specialist instructors
16-hectare lake with secure boat storage and slipway access
Diverse fleet including Wayfarers, Lasers and Toppers for member hire
Year-round racing programme with Sunday handicap and summer evening races

Associations and certifications

Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

What people say

Excellent training facilities Welcoming family atmosphere Professional RYA instructors Well-organised races Beautiful lakeside setting

Website

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Services

Sailing

Our 16-hectare lake provides ideal conditions for leisure sailing at any time. Members enjoy access to secure boat storage facilities with two slipways and a shallow beach for easy launching. The club welcomes mono-hulled boats up to 5m LOA with PY rating above 1000, offering a safe environment for recreational sailing. Regular members' days allow informal sailing sessions with fellow enthusiasts.

Training

As an RYA-recognised training centre, we deliver structured sailing courses for youth and adults. Our programmes focus on skill development from beginner to competitive levels, using our fleet of training dinghies. Instructors combine technical expertise with safety-focused teaching methods to build confidence on the water. Adult courses maintain the same professional standards with tailored instruction approaches.

Racing

Year-round racing includes handicap events every Sunday and informal summer evening races. The club hosts national regattas like the British Keelboat League, attracting competitive sailors regionally and nationally. Our racing calendar features structured series with professional race management, while maintaining accessible entry points for newcomers to competitive sailing.

Membership

Individual and family memberships provide full access to facilities and activities. Members enjoy boat hire privileges, racing participation, and training course discounts. The club maintains affordable pricing structures to ensure sailing remains accessible to local communities. Membership includes voting rights in our democratic governance structure managed by elected volunteers.

Boat Hire

Our fleet includes Wayfarers, Lasers, Fevas, and Toppers available for member hire. The boats receive regular maintenance to ensure safety and performance standards. This service provides cost-effective access to quality dinghies without ownership commitments. Hire rates form part of our membership benefits structure, supporting ongoing fleet upgrades and maintenance.

People

Nicky Macdonald

Commodore

Overseeing club operations as Commodore, Nicky Macdonald leads our volunteer governance structure. With extensive sailing experience, she ensures strategic direction aligns with member needs while maintaining RYA compliance standards.

Barry Graham

Training Principal

As RYA-certified instructor and Training Principal, Barry Graham develops our youth and adult education programmes. He combines technical expertise with safety-focused teaching methods to deliver professional-standard sailing instruction across all ability levels.

Ged McCormack

Sailing Secretary

Ged McCormack manages racing operations and event coordination. His organisational skills ensure smooth execution of weekly races and annual regattas, maintaining professional standards while preserving the club's friendly atmosphere.

Chris Lever

Membership Secretary

Chris Lever handles membership administration, ensuring accessible onboarding processes. He maintains records and communicates membership benefits, working to expand our community while preserving the club's inclusive ethos.

Lewis O'Donald

Treasurer

Lewis O'Donald manages financial operations with transparency and accountability. His stewardship ensures sustainable growth while maintaining affordable membership rates, balancing budgetary responsibilities with facility improvement initiatives.

Questions

What membership options are available?

We offer individual and family memberships with inclusive pricing. Members receive boat hire privileges, racing access, and training course discounts while participating in our democratic governance structure.

Are sailing lessons available for adults?

Yes, our RYA-certified instructors provide adult courses with tailored instruction approaches. These maintain the same professional standards as youth programmes while accommodating different learning requirements.

What racing opportunities exist?

We host weekly handicap races, summer evening events, and national regattas. Our calendar includes structured series with professional race management while maintaining accessible entry points for new competitors.

Can I store my boat at the club?

Yes, we provide secure boat compound storage with easy water access. Facilities include two slipways and a shallow beach for launching, accommodating mono-hulled boats up to 5m LOA with PY rating above 1000.

What training dinghies are available?

Our fleet includes Wayfarers, Lasers, Fevas, Toppers, and Picos for hire. These professionally maintained boats support training programmes and recreational sailing sessions for members.