Upper Thames Sailing Club Opens for visitors
by Debbie Kite 24 Apr 2015 10:37 BST
19 & 26 April 2015
UTSC Open Day © Matthew / Nick Kite
Open Day last week; inaugural Topper Open next week
UTSC members are welcoming many new visitors to the club this month, as the club is hosting its first ever Topper Open on Sunday 26th April, following on from the previous Sunday's successful club Open Day.
The club was asked to host a river sailing Open for the Eastern Area to add variety to the Traveller series, and look forward to welcoming visitors from the circuit as well as local sailors. The mile-long stretch of the river running westwards upstream from the club towards Marlow is the widest and longest reach of the upper Thames which makes for interesting racing conditions in all weathers. Prospective visitors can find out more from the club website (including SIs and NoR): www.utsc.org.uk.
On Sunday 19th April over a hundred people came to the club's annual Open Day, to find out more about the club. Some first time sailors were able to sail for the very first time in a Thames A Rater, but most were excited to experience the river in a club Wayfarer, or the club work boat. Membership Secretary Katy Meadowcroft said "We recruited nearly twenty new members over the weekend, a good mix of experienced and beginner sailors of all ages." Also on the day club members successfully raised nearly £300 for the Sail4Cancer charity with afternoon "Tea by the Thames".
The club's project to refurbish the changing rooms and repair flood damage is nearing completion in time for the Bourne End Week regatta held over the late May Bank holiday weekend. The new changing rooms will be functioning, but maybe without finishing touches. The club is planning a grand opening event later in the season to show off the smart new facilities funded in part by a Sport England grant. For more information about Bourne End Week see bew.utsc.org.uk, or contact John Dighton on .