Clubs.

I wouldn't exactly go as far as to say 'unfriendly' there's a big difference between the two ends, but municipal would probably best describe it, neutral and tolerant. '78 was the first time I've been up there dozens of times at lots of events all through the eighties, nineties and a few noughties, I also used to have to visit a customer I had there over the years. Silliest thing they did was refuse kites, it was a big enough piece of water to get kites on.

can't argue with that- it's always feckin' cold there in winter!!!

First 505 world qualifiers used to at Grafham there in April and it was always freezing compared to the south coast.
Club was good unless you parked in the wrong place!

I am a member of Hunts and Grafham.  Hunts is my preferred club for instructing, because the water is safe and rarely gets too breezy for sailing.  I joined Grafham to supposedly race my faster boats and because the size of the water is perfect for training, plus there is supposedly safety cover every day.  My membership is now due and I'm considering not rejoining because the safety cover doesn't live up to expectations when you need it most, and the asymmetric fleet barely ever reaches double figures.

It is the usual story of there being plenty of boats in the boat park, but they are never all on the water at the same time.  They cannot achieve the critical mass which would ensure good turn out every week, and no one seems to have taken any initiative to resolve this.  A shame.

Hunts was voted Inland Nationals Venue of the year recently because of the friendly welcome and hospitality and close racing they gave the cvrda and it's well deserved. I'm sorry we have to miss this year's event, but anyone with a pre-1985 boat of a classic class (pre 1965) should go to Hunts for the 2nd and 3rd of May (shameless event plug). If you aren't sure you qualify, contact Nessa (Winging It).