An Exciting Start to the Season for Colne Yacht Club

The club’s aim is to attract newcomers into sailing in as many diverse ways as possible. The club has recently trained new Keelboat Instructors, started training courses, and received support from their local Town Council, Brightlingsea Town, for one of their Sonata keelboats.

Currently, the club is focused on a theme of ‘inclusion’ in operating its small fleet of boats, and includes encouraging women to join in what has traditionally been seen as a male dominated sport; the progression of young people into sailing in larger boats that require teamwork and different, more advanced, skills than dinghies; and more recently have been exploring how to engage with local charities that support those who have a passion for sailing but, for financial reasons, are not able to make that first step.

The Sonata project goes from strength to strength – being used by several Sonata Activity Groups: Women on the Water (WOW); Blokes on Boats (BOB) and Sunday Sonata Sailing (SSS). These groups provide opportunities for newcomers, and non-boat owners to get on the water, make friendships and experience all the benefits that Brightlingsea Harbour has to offer. It also counters the perception that sailing is an expensive elite sport, as those who cannot afford, or lack the ability, to own their own boat can join in.

The club said: “We believe that by running these activities we are encouraging more people, particularly women, who are under-represented in the sailing community. We also recognise the importance of outdoor activities in personal health and wellbeing, and we were gratified by the feedback during the pandemic on the positive impact on mental health.”

Looking ahead to 2024, the Keelboat Instructors who have recently been trained will enhance the club’s existing team, and several events are in development. This includes the club’s Regatta on 06 July, which usually attracts a number of people to sign up for training courses or join the club’s “Women on the Water” or “Blokes on Boats” groups. Both these groups have proved to be highly successful in recruiting new members to the club. Both create cohesive groups which new members can use as a platform to confidently access the club’s facilities.

Jane Long, from the club said: “Our Women on the Water group is currently focusing on training up more skippers that are able to helm a Sonata, thus taking the pressure off our Instructors. To provide support, we have introduced an additional role of 'First Mate' in each boat for those skilled in sailing but do not yet want the responsibility of being a skipper. This appears to be working well and we will review how we can motivate more women to become skippers.”

Another project is seeing the development of pathways for newly trained sailors to become crew for the club’s thriving cruiser race fleet. Racing boat owners are always looking for new crew and the club are in conversation about identifying special race events where boats have to take on a new crew or face a penalty. 

Jane added “Because we now have the largest Sonata fleet in the country (I'm told) our Cadets are looking over and getting attracted to the idea of class racing in boats that might be a stepping stone into cruiser racing. This is a very positive step in creating a link between different sections of the club. Cadets are becoming regular crew in the Sonata fleet.”

The club used the Club of the Year Sunsail prize money to enhance the equipment on the Sonatas, including new sail covers, along with a new dinghy ramp for the club jetty. 

Going forward, the club is looking to apply for external funding to support their activities, being entirely volunteer run, and has plenty more ideas in the pipeline!

For more information about how to get out on the water in the East Region, visit www.rya.org.uk/startboating.