Shoreham Sailing Club transformation
by Sophie Mackley 27 Jun 2019 11:40 BST
Shoreham Sailing Cub dinghy park transformation © Sophie Mackley
Shoreham Sailing Club has transformed from a muddy bog in January to accommodating over eighty people on the water on a typical weekend. We have club and junior racing out at sea and our Improvers sessions and Adur Sailing Club teaching youngsters in the shelter of the harbour. Ages range from 8 - 83, experience levels from first timer to Olympic silver medallist, in a range of boats too many to mention.
It's hard to believe that we have got to this stage in such a short time, and we are eternally grateful to our members for their support and tolerance, and the fantastic assistance and advice that we received from many members of the sailing community (from as far away as New Zealand!). As members of the Shoreham committee we have a vested interest in the success of the club but it is heart-warming that in times of difficulty the sailing fraternity offers a wealth of expertise that they are happy and willing to share. We would not be where we are today without this input.
The problems with drainage have been alleviated by the digging of two French drains, and across the area compacted by the contractors they laid a porous subsoil base, geo textile layers, bod paving and topsoil sowed with grass seed. We are able to move boats across it whilst the grass grows, and despite significant rainfall no muddy puddles have appeared. Our boats have now moved back onto the reinstated ground and we have our lawn back.
We have been able to operate a full and popular racing and training schedule from the start of the season and recently hosted a successful open meeting for Wayfarers and National 12s, with another planned for Merlin Rockets on the 3 and 4 August.
It has been a tortuous experience to get to the current situation and there are still some outstanding issues with the Environment Agency and their contractors, but they are not stopping the club develop and we are already welcoming a healthy influx of new members to enjoy our wonderful facilities.
Visiting sailors are always welcome, so get in touch if you would like to come and enjoy the best sea sailing on the south coast (with easy launching in the harbour!)
www.shorehamsailing.org