Solos at Dell Quay - Are you looking for a competitive fleet to race in?
by James Pound 21 Jul 13:41 BST
Solos in the sun at Dell Quay Sailing Club © James Pound
Dell Quay offers a family-oriented, member run club where you can race, paddle, cruise, adventure and generally have a lot of fun (we have a very active Junior section too), all the while being surrounded by some of the best views in Chichester Harbour - recently quoted as a 'Small club with a big heart'.
Racing is an important part of the club, albeit by no means the 'lions share' as we have a rapidly growing rowing crowd, but it's a key staple to what we do at Dell Quay. Two weeks ago we sailed the first of newly launched 'Sunset Series' where on an average Tuesday night we attracted 11 Solo's and another 7 dinghies in the Fast Handicap fleet for an epic evenings racing followed by a beer on the beautiful balcony overlooking the racing area - what's not to love!
Words from our Solo Class Captain, John Ellis:
"As you might already know, Dell Quay is beautifully located in Chichester Harbour and has members who sail all types of dinghies and cruisers, row and race Celtic Gigs, play on paddleboards, kayaks and just plain mess about in boats. (Compared to which, nothing in the world is half so much worth doing, as a wise man once wrote...)
"The largest fleet at Dell Quay is the single-handed National Solo. Currently, we have around 25 Solos at the club, 15 or 16 of which are raced pretty regularly. But you don't need to race to join the fleet and have the fun of sailing a Solo. Compared to almost any other single-handed boats around today, they are easy to learn and comfortable to sail in conditions ranging from a light whisper of wind, up to a breeze strong enough to have ambitions to become a full gale. Although in the latter case they are also exhilarating and wet!
"They are sailed all around Chichester Harbour and across the UK so its easy to find a local second-hand boat to buy, if you are not quite ready to splash out on a brand new one. Helms aged in their mid-twenties up to their late sixties all enjoy the boat, so they are quick and fun, but you don't need to be an athlete to sail one. As long as your knees still bend a bit, you'll be OK!
"But one of the principal joys of racing a Solo at Dell Quay is the friendship amongst the people who sail them here as well as the close racing we enjoy! Come and see for yourselves, pop down on a weekend or get in touch directly solo@dellquaysc.co.uk for more information on sailing the Solo at DQ."
Fancy being a part of a fun, family-friendly member run club with competitive racing, or indeed, may be not - maybe you just fancy being part of a club which offers a safe and beautiful place to spend precious time with your family...? Personally, I joined over 40 years, left for Uni but came back with my family over 10 years ago because of the imprint DQ left on me and I know I am not the only one. The place is infectious, don't just take my word for it - check us out on socials or on the website, or even better, just pop down any day of the week, there is almost always someone around! You'll be made most welcome.