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Herne Bay Sailing Club Ltd, located in Herne Bay, New Zealand, is a vibrant and welcoming sports club that offers a range of sailing activities for people of all ages and abilities. The club has a rich history, celebrating its centenary in 2021, and is dedicated to providing top-notch facilities and training to its members.
Membership at Herne Bay Sailing Club comes with a variety of benefits. In addition to access to the club's sailing activities, members also receive free membership for their children and grandchildren. The club boats, kayaks, and paddleboards are available for use at no extra cost. Social members are also welcomed, allowing them to enjoy the club's amenities, such as a well-equipped beach hut with toilets, a kitchen, and a reasonably priced bar.
The club's location is one of its greatest assets. Situated on the North Kent coast, it offers easy access to some of the best sailing waters in the area. Being less than 15 minutes from the end of the M2 motorway and 45 minutes from the M25, members can conveniently launch and recover their boats at most tide states using the club's own slipway. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a beginner, the club prides itself on providing a friendly and supportive environment where members of all ages and abilities can receive help and encouragement.
Herne Bay Sailing Club boasts a fleet of twenty dinghies that are available for members to hire, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to take part in sailing activities. Additionally, there are club kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for member use whenever a safety boat is present. The club's active cadet section offers fun and sail training sessions throughout the sailing season, providing a fantastic opportunity for children to learn and improve their skills. Social and kayak members are also warmly welcomed, and the club hosts various social events throughout the year, creating a sense of community and camaraderie among its members.
The club is a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre, offering RYA courses and training in dinghy sailing and power boating for adults. Whether you're looking to learn how to sail or drive a powerboat, or simply want to brush up on your skills with the guidance of expert instructors, Herne Bay Sailing Club runs RYA courses throughout the season.
For those interested in joining Herne Bay Sailing Club, all the necessary information can be found on their website. Once a member, individuals have access to sailing their own boats or kayaks during the sailing season, with convenient launch and recovery provided by the club's own slipway. Safety cover is present on Sundays during races and Saturdays during cadet and improvers sessions. The club's annual Club Week in August is a highly anticipated event, featuring three days of dedicated cadet training and fun activities, a picnic cruise, and a day of racing and social sailing.
For members who don't have their own boats, Herne Bay Sailing Club offers a fleet of boats available for hire. The selection includes Optibats, RS Teras, RS Q'Bas, RS Fevas, RS Visions, as well as a Wayfarer and kayaks. The hire costs are affordable, with kayaks priced at 5 per day, single-handed boats at 10 per day, and double-handed boats at 15 per day.
In addition to sailing, the club's cruising section organises day sails during the summer months, exploring various destinations and enjoying activities such as pub lunches and beach games. Saturdays are particularly popular for cruising, with members sailing a wide range of boats, from Toppers and Lasers to Wayfarers, Cornish Crabbers, and Devon Dabbers.
Herne Bay Sailing Club also offers competitive racing opportunities. Sunday afternoons from April to October are dedicated to lively and good-natured racing, with additional races on Sunday mornings from early summer onwards. Novice and cadet sailors are encouraged to participate and gain valuable experience. The club organises various cup races and annual events, including the cadets race, the ladies race, the greybeards race (for gentlemen over a certain age), the Paul Smith and Jim Newbery memorial weekend, and prestigious events like Bart's Bash.
Overall, Herne Bay Sailing Club Ltd is a fantastic place to enjoy the excitement of sailing, improve skills through professional training, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals. With its rich history, welcoming atmosphere, and stunning location, the club promises a memorable experience for all members.