west london sailing club recommendation?

   Hello,

I've
 sailed dinghys a fair bit when I was a kid, (wayfarers, gp 14, toppers -
 all in the sea), but haven't done anything in ages.

I'd
 thought i'd pick it up again (now I'm a bit older) and have recently 
got my RYA Level 1 (I never bother with the qualifications before). I 
live in West London (near Kew - very close to the M4) and I found quite a
 few good sailing clubs in my area (all based around the heathrow 
airport area).

Basically
 I'm looking for recommendations for a particular club, to get my level 2
 and do a bit of racing and general messing about.

Any suggestions? Recommendations? Blatent advertisements?

Stephen.

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shonen-angell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 02 Sep 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote shonen-angell Report Post Quote Reply Topic: west london sailing club recommendation? Posted: 02 Sep 10 at 2:15pm
	Hello, I've sailed dinghys a fair bit when I was a kid, (wayfarers, gp 14, toppers - all in the sea), but haven't done anything in ages. I'd thought i'd pick it up again (now I'm a bit older) and have recently got my RYA Level 1 (I never bother with the qualifications before). I live in West London (near Kew - very close to the M4) and I found quite a few good sailing clubs in my area (all based around the heathrow airport area). Basically I'm looking for recommendations for a particular club, to get my level 2 and do a bit of racing and general messing about. Any suggestions? Recommendations? Blatent advertisements? Stephen.

Femto Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 11 Jun 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 47	Post Options Post Reply Quote Femto Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 10 at 4:07pm
	Have a look at Burghfield - definatly worth the trip down the M4. Has to be one of the friendliest and most active clubs in the area.
	RS600 717, RS400 870 Netley SC Kerr 11.3 (Pier View YC)

radixon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2407	Post Options Post Reply Quote radixon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 10 at 4:28pm
	Clubs near you: Datchet Queen Mary Wraysbury BA Silverwings Island Barn Queensmead SC/HOAC It all depends on what boat you want to sail, distance you want to travel etc.

shonen-angell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 02 Sep 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote shonen-angell Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 10 at 4:42pm
	I don't want to travel too far - Burghfield looks nice but is a bit of a trek. because it's been ages (as in 30 years) since I was last in a dinghy (until a couple of weekends ago). I can't really say with any authority what boat I want to sail. But I do fancy a bit of racing - that could be fun - so whatever's light and fast nowadays It's also important what the club is like (what the members are like, facilities, and so on) and a lot of that comes from personal experience... hence why I am looking for recommendations...

radixon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2407	Post Options Post Reply Quote radixon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 10 at 5:57pm
	I did the Laser circuit 2 years ago, visited all the clubs above. I did feel a warm welcome from BA silverwings, its a small gravel pit but with nice launching facilities and I believe you dont have to be a member of BA anymore. Island Barn is another friendly club I visited, great facilities for the size of the centre. Please dont get me wrong with the following, this is my opinion. Datchet, Queen Mary and Island Barn are all reseviours belonging to Thames water, they are usually emptied in teh above order when TW require water. Queensmead/HOAC is another club but a lot smaller than the TW venues above also on a gravel pit, it does offer training, as does QM, Datchet and possibly some of the others. The above clubs will welcome new members, just enquire and see when is best to visit, probably a sunday when sailing takes place.

Stuart O Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Jul 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stuart O Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 10 at 6:13pm
	Dont forget Wraysbury...a small but very friendly club

patj Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 16 Jul 04 Location: Wiltshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 642	Post Options Post Reply Quote patj Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 10 at 6:42pm
	Thames SC (Surbiton ish) is friendly and has a "classic" fleet - ie cheap old boats which are ideal for starters.

MerlinMags Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Admin Group Joined: 19 Mar 04 Location: UK, Guildford Online Status: Offline Posts: 588	Post Options Post Reply Quote MerlinMags Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 10 at 10:57pm
	Pick the nearest ones and turn up on Sunday looking for a crewing job (phone a club committee member first to help the process along). An easy way to test the club, and a boat! Y&Y club map - centred on Kew

A Seabadger Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 11 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote A Seabadger Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 10 at 7:54am
	Papercourt. Typical "Pond" winds (like many mentioned so far) but very friendly. Does RYA level 2 course for members in the Spring.
	I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every moment of it.

ASok Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 739	Post Options Post Reply Quote ASok Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 10 at 10:21am
	I've been a member at both Queen Mary and Datchet over the years. Both memberships were over 3 years, so I had a good stint to see what they were like. Firstly, they are exceptionally well run clubs with very good committees and facilities. Great sized sailing area and on a good day you can be really spoiled. However, my only problem was that they were big and had lost the 'club' feel - they felt a bit more like 'sports-centres' or businesses in my opinion. I also found a lot of the membership used the place as storage while they toured their boats in traveling series. This impacted club turnouts in some classes. I also sail a cat and both lakes have a cat fleet in decline, although I hear that Datchet are doing well to re-invigorate it. Another issue for me was water level - Thames Water are a nightmare and Datchet has been hit the worst with dropping water levels. That said the club have made huge investment in winches and mobile pontoons to aid members. My money would be on heading to Burgfield or to the south coast. I have heard great things and about Burgfield and if I sailed a dingy (they dont allow cats), I'd be there straight away. Well worth the extra 20mins drive in my opinion. I'd visit them all and get a taster from yourself. You will meet enthusiastic members at all of them - so get enough information to make your choice.