How Value for Money is Club Membership at Stokes Bay Sailing Club?

by Stokes Bay SC 23 Jan 14:38 GMT

Stokes Bay Sailing Club © Emma Pearson

Riddle me this: Where on the south coast can you launch directly onto the Solent, race against Olympians and novices in healthy fleets every Sunday of the year and summer Wednesday evenings, let the kids tire themselves out at a junior "Cadet" club on Saturday, attend adult novice sailor sessions, be part of the cruising club, attend a wealth of social events, and get cheap food and drink overlooking The Solent and Isle of Wight? Maybe I am biased but perhaps Stokes Bay does offer it all in one super friendly club.

Two back-to-back races on Sunday morning is at the core of what we offer. We have starts for Catamarans, Dart18s, Fast Handicap (Windward/Leeward Course), Slow handicap (Triangle/Sausage or Trapezoidal Courses), Lasers and Radials and on selected Sundays, a Cadet start. Many of popular fleets are graced with at least one name that has been involved with the upper echelons of those 5 inter-locking hoops - Penny and Russ Clark, steaming around in their 505, Jason Belben in an International Moth, and Nick Harrison and Matt Howard in the Laser fleet to name a few. The standard of racing is not only high but each fleet is also full of members who enjoy the UK racing circuit and regular racing at the club.

For 2021, the club are adding 'The Bay Series' to their calendar which will take place one Sunday in each season and is open to members only. These days will have an additional race on the Sunday (making three back to back races) with the results featuring in the usual Sunday series as well as forming a mini-open meeting. A casual prize-giving on the lawn after sailing, in glorious sunshine (as there always is at SB!) and chance to grab a cheap pint, a bite to eat and a natter will make for an enjoyable day at the club.

Stokes Bay Sailing Club - photo © Bob Draper

For those not of the racing persuasion, the club does have other ongoing activities. As well as the cruising cub, there's a Friday evening group for novice adults looking to enhance their sailing skills before taking a step to racing or making longer cruises. Saturday morning has the afore mentioned Cadet Club which is a fantastic way to get children from age 6 upwards into sailing. There are many themes and sessions planned for the season which peak in a fun and activity filled Cadet week in the summer. If your kids need any motivation to get on the water, you can't get much better than being led by the forever cheerful and Musto Skiff sailor Gavin Brewer or the cheerful and seemingly perpetual Musto Skiff world champion, Bruce Keen!

"But at what cost?" I hear you say. It could be the best club in the world but in today's uncertain climate, price and value for money can be the make-or-break. With no joining fees, Stokes Bay offers a highly competitive PMG (Pennies Made Good), especially to new members. When compared to a gym membership (to a gym I promise to go back to at some point!), there's far more on offer and for a lesser weekly equivalent.

The equivalent weekly price for a full adult membership, giving you the option of all these activities and as well as a lively social calendar, galley and bar with excellent views and sunsets over the Isle of Wight, is less than two medium Costa caffe latte or cappuccinos per week for a full adult membership. A student membership is the same as one green tea per week and the family membership is cheaper than two large hot chocolates with trimmings per week.

Memberships renewal and joining starts on the 1st February 2021 and the club is highly inclusive, warm and welcoming of new and returning members. Stokes Bay Sailing Club has a membership of more than 500 so there are lots of opportunities to find similar sailors to yourself and start to take advantage of all that the club offers and has to offer.

Interested? Visit our website here or pop down one Sunday (when restrictions allow) to see for yourself.