The Hostellers Sailing Club offers day sailing and dinghy cruising during the summer and country walking during the winter. The HSC suits all levels of sailing experience including complete beginners. Most members live in London/ Essex/ Southeast England, we also now have a few in Devon. We keep a club owned Wayfarer dinghy on a mooring at Paglesham on the River Roach in Essex.

Events:

Events in italics below are not organised by the HSC but are events that may interest our members.

The Roach Sailing Association (RSA) organises a series of not too serious dinghy races starting from Paglesham and with quite a varied fleet taking part. Our club owned boat Merganser has participated in many of these races and usually does rather well. Note that these races can be weather dependent, contact the RSA for up to date information.

'Merganser' is laid up on shore at the time of writing, the launch date for 2019 is TBA.

2/3 March - RYA Dinghy Show

At the Alexandra Palace exhibition centre. The Dinghy Cruising Association will have a stand and there will be talks on various sailing topics. .

16/17 March - Devon Gathering

Walking and social weekend based at Wembury in Devon, details to be confirmed. Contact John and Josephine.

19 to 22 April - Easter weekend - Peak District

We plan to return to the Peak District for a social and hill walking gathering over Easter weekend. We have made a group booking at Hartington Hall YHA, the hostel may still have beds available for any who still wish to join the party, including prospective new members.. Contact John and Josephine.

Sunday 19 May - Potton Tophy

Dinghy race organised by the RSA, Start 12:00, HW 13:45

27th May to 2nd June 2019 - Semaine du Golfe

Several of our members have prevously attended this big biennial sailing meeting in the Gulfe of Morbihan. 2019 will be the year for the 10th anniversary event. John and Josephine's boat is registered for the event and will be in Flottila 3 and two more of our members are considering bringing their boats and would probably also be in Flotilla 3. See 'sailing festivals' under the 'articels' heading on our main menu above for accounts from some of the previous occasions.

Note: Beale Park Boat Show is definitely cancelled this year, had it gone ahead it would have clashed with SduG. I understand that the Beale Park management hope to resume Beale Park Boat Show in 2020.

Sunday 9 June - Egret Cup

Dinghy race organised by the RSA, start 10:00, HW 05:34 (presumably race downriver and back, given the tide)

Saturday 20 July - Mudcatchers Cup and BBQ

Dinghy race with extra complications! Organised by the RSA, Start 13:00, HW 15:39, BBQ after race.

Sunday 21 July - Paglesham Yacht Race

This is a dinghy race despite the title. It is organised by the RSA, Start 13:00, HW 16:12

Sunday 18 August - Don McDowell Cup (Fun Race)

A new event on the RSA program, I dont know what its about but sounds fun. Start 10:00, HW 03:03

Sunday 15 September - Lifeboat Cup

Dinghy race organised by the RSA, Start 12:00, HW 14:07

Sunday 29 September - Oyster Cup

Dinghy race organised by the RSA, Start 12:00, HW 13:42

Sunday 13 October - Steak and Oysters afloat

A RSA event but perhaps we could join in if we arrive with camping stove and some beer. 12:00 HW 13:15

The pictures below are from an event organised in September 2018 on the west coast of France by DCA member Miles D., this event being supported by several members of the HSC.

18 09 10 fouras sud

The sailing club at Fouras Sud gave us a special reception and invited the town Mayor along!

Gerald's boat on route from Fouras Sud to La Flotte - one of the quite rare occasions when there really was not enough wind to sail

Our fleet in the harbour at La Flotte on Ile d'Re, a fine collection of traditional sailing fishing vessels on the far side of the harbour

In the old port right in the centre of La Rochelle - Gerald's boat and John and Josephine's boat in foreground

Our whole fleet alongside the pontoon at the sailing base of the Voile-aviron dans les Pertuis (VAP), a French dinghy cruising club so a bit like the HSC.

18 09 13 port neuf 1