General Information

For membership enquiries, please contact Tristan Jones, our New Members Secretary on 0844 77 456 88 or alternatively E-mail newmembers@sail.org.uk

Background

Founded in 1952, Bolton Sailing Club is based at picturesque Belmont Reservoir on the A675 just north of Bolton. Its unrivalled position in the West Pennine Country Park, in the shadow of Winter Hill, can only be described as breathtaking, surrounded by open country and rolling hills; its position is ideal for dinghy sailing and is the perfect way to relax on a Wednesday evening in the summer – particularly after a gruelling day at work!

The reservoir covers an area of 98 acres (when full) and is over ¾ of a mile long and provides ideal sailing conditions whether cruising or racing. The club also sits over 1000m above sea level, ensuring good exposure to weather systems and sea breezes.

The club has a long standing record of encouraging sailing at the highest level, enabling members to achieve their full potential and go on to compete in National class competitions including GP14 and Merlin Rocket Opens.

The club is also part of the GP14 and Merlin Rocket Open calendar and hosts these exclusive races as part of its national status as a recognised centre for sailing excellence.

The roomy, well appointed club house provides first class facilities, with changing rooms equipped with fully tiled showers, a large galley capable of catering for up to 150 people and a large comfortable lounge overlooking the water. A patio and barbeque area stands next to the children’s play area.

The large Dinghy Park is wholly adjacent to the water, with concrete launching ramps allowing easy access to the launching beach and jetties for those you who not want to get wet immediately!

How is the Club run?

The club is run solely by the members giving up their time to ensure that everyone can enjoy their sailing and social life at the club. All policy decisions, initiatives and rule making democratically voted for by members of the Committee are made in the interest of the club and its members.

Is there any Training available?

Yes, the Club runs two training schemes for adults and an active juniors section. (For junior sailing please see the section below)

Adults

For adults we run the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) level 1 & 2 course which is usually run over 4 Saturdays and is very popular. The course comprises a well-balanced curriculum of off theory and on the water training and is ideal for those who, following the ‘Introduction to Sailing’ course may want to delve a little further into the world of sailing and become nationally recognised as a competent dinghy sailor. Further details can be provided on request.

Secondly, the club also organise Sunday morning training sessions. Because of the way these sessions are structured they can be used by complete beginners. These Sunday morning training sessions are free to all members and run from early May until mid October. The club has a range of craft to suit all sizes and tastes. However, boat owning beginners can also use these sessions to gain practice in the presence of a fully trained instructor on the water. You may well be surprised by how quickly you can pick up the basics (although you may get wet along the way!), and we will encourage you to join our club racing on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings (perhaps initially in a boat you have hired from the club, or may be as a crew in a two handed boat).

Over the years we have found that racing is the best way to practice your skills – but don’t worry, if racing is not your thing, it’s not compulsory!

The club also run Powerboat Courses so that members can handle fast craft when performing safety boat duty. Fleet Captains also organise class specific training periodically through the season.

On the Water Practicing

Friday nights through the summer months are practice nights and are for everyone, adults and juniors to practice the basics and for more the experienced to hone their skills. These include taster sessions for fresh members who have yet to decide whether to join the club or not. Saturday afternoons are also open for members to participate in noncompetitive sailing and to simply get out on the water and enjoy an afternoons sailing before Sunday racing.

Juniors

Can my Children Sail?
The Club recognises that junior members are our future. We have a Child Protection Policy to ensure the health, safety and protection of our junior members, and by carefully nurturing and teaching them, we hope they may
become champions of the future. Juniors meet at the club every Friday evening through the spring and summer for practice and training. At Bolton we have adopted the RYA programme for junior training, but above all else
we aim to make sure that the children have fun. In addition we organise junior racing on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings alongside the adult fleets.

Junior members often start sailing between the ages of 7 – 10. The important thing is not to dent their confidence and enthusiasm, but rather to make sure that they enjoy their sailing. We ask that parents/guardians supervise their children and take responsibility for them whilst they are at the club.

(For this reason we regret that we cannot accept applications for membership from under 18’s unless they are applying with a parent or guardian, or a parent or guardian is already a member of Bolton Sailing Club.)

General Qs

When can I sail?
Basically, when you are a member you can sail any time you like once you have your own boat. Health and Safety is something we take very seriously, and you must always wear a buoyancy aid when on, or around the water. The club organise rescue boat facilities during organised racing and training events, and until you become competent and confident in your ability you should limit your sailing to the times when these facilities are available.

What if I don’t have a boat?
No problem. If you are a beginner we will teach you to sail in a variety of different club boats, and when you start to think about buying your own we have lots of expert advice available. We can organise a “Buddy” and team you up with someone more experienced who can offer advice, support and encouragement on all aspects of sailing and the club itself. In addition, during your first year of membership, and once you graduate from one of the training programmes you can hire one of the club’s training boats at a cost of £5 – £12 per session. If you don’t want to buy and helm your own boat you can team up with someone else in a two-person boat. Members will be more than willing to invite you to crew for them. If you do want to sail your own boat, good second hand dinghies can be purchased from a few hundred pounds up to several thousand, and we can advise you of the best places to find them. There are also usually a few boats up for sale on the notice boards for each of the classes and members will also pass on your intentions of buying a vessel to other prospective sellers.

What type of boat should I sail?
At Bolton we sail both single handed and two-person dinghies. Class racing is organised for Merlin Rockets and GP14’s with other classes competing in a Handicap fleet. We realise that joining a new club or sport can be quite
daunting, and you will find lots of people willing to offer you advice when you decide that you want to buy. Our advice would be experience as many boats as possible until you feel comfortable that the boat is right for you and you are right for the boat!

Will I be able to race?
Most definitely, when you feel competent enough you will be encouraged to take part; this is an excellent way of practicing your skills and developing your expertise. Racing takes place on Sundays from the end of March to the beginning of December and on Wednesday evenings from April until September. We have members who have won Area, National and even World Championships and these sailors will be happy to pass on tips and advice (until you start to beat them!).

Is there a Social Life?
Yes, sailing is a social sport and there are many events throughout the year all of which are advertised in the clubhouse, listed in the handbook and detailed in the club newsletter. Smaller events such as Brewery trips and
Curryokes (yes you guessed it, Curry and Karaoke) are usually advertised by newsletter, email and word-of-mouth around the club. These events all help to bond new friendships and recount stories of sailing past, in time you will get to know the good storytellers, these are the ones who stand around the bar and are always the last to leave.

When can I start?
The club begins official Sunday morning training at the bedinning of May. However in advance of this, the club offers the “Introduction to Sailing Course” over three evenings consisting of a variety theory sessions and practical dinghy sailing on the water. This is a good way to meet new prospective members to the club and experience a true taste of what dinghy sailing is all about. Attendees of the course who decide to apply for full membership to the club will have their joining fee waived.

Interested?

Please contact Tristan Jones, our New Members Secretary on 0844 77 456 88 or alternatively E-mail newmembers@sail.org.uk