On the Water

The Club has a full schedule of events on the water throughout the season from March to October, with times dependent on the tides. This consists of a Racing, Flotilla Sailing and Training events, as detailed in the Events Calendar.

The sailing takes place in a beautiful natural and safe harbour as shown in the chart below. The chart shows the racing marks, and also the beacons which indicate areas of shallow water which should be avoided. The main sailing area is in the Pit which is the area of deepest water and where the committee boat Lapwing is moored, and most races start and finish. To get to the sailing area boats need to sail up the Cut from the dinghy park.

Racing

Racing takes place mainly on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and there is also a Midweek series, normally held in the evening. The programme consists of a number of series throughout the year (each series taking place over several weekends), starting with the Frostbite, as detailed in the Events Calendar. There are also three-day events during Bank Holidays and Cup days over a single day/weekend. During July/August there is mid-week holiday racing aimed at improvers/youngsters, when we also hold the annual regatta, both of which open to non-members. In addition, we hold Seafly and Vintage Int 14 Open meetings and host a day for North West Norfolk Week.

Race types/Classes Sailed

Most of our races are handicap races based on the Portsmouth Numbers. The main classes sailed are the Seafly double and the Laser single hander (ILCA 5, 6 and 7 rigs) dinghies. However, there a number of other classes sailed including Solo, Streaker, Supernova, Phantom and Wayfarer. We welcome all dinghies but please be mindful of the limited depth of water.

Regatta

The ‘Blue Ribbon’ event of the season held over two days usually attracts a big turnout. This is a traditional race with a bank start which has been held for over 100 years. The course is from the Cooke posts at the end of the Cut out to a buoy near the Lifeboat House and finishing at the Sim posts at the top of the Cut, making a fantastic spectacle for spectators. The race is a pursuit format with each class of boat starting according to their Portsmouth Yardstick with the slowest boats starting first. It’s great fun and visitors are more than welcome, with a small entry fee paid on the day, part of which goes to local charities as part of the village Regatta Week.

Blakeney Sailing Club Regatta Bank Start

Sailing Instructions

All races are sailed in accordance with the Sailing Instructions which all competitors should make themselves familiar with. These are based on the World Rules of Sailing adapted for the Club and include starting signals, flags, course types etc.

Flotilla Sailing

Flotilla Social Sailing is for anyone and everyone in a boat, canoe, kayak or paddle board, who wishes to be on the water in the company of others. Depending on the weather conditions, the time and the tide, we will usually explore the harbour and stop somewhere for a picnic. Most years we hold three or four Flotilla Sailing days per month on different days of the week, some mid-week and some at weekends starting in April through until the end of the season as detailed in the Events Calendar. We typically have the use of radios so that we can keep in contact on the water and we will always have a BSC Patrol boat with us. A great help and it is reassuring to have this assistance as it gives confidence to the less experienced sailors! Having said this, sailors will need to take responsibility for themselves and be confident in managing their own boats.

Training

We are not a RYA accredited training centre, so members are expected to have basic sailing skills before participating in events (RYA Level 2 or relevant experience), particularly when participating in races. Members wishing to gain experience can of course crew in a double handed boat with a competent helm. However, we do offer informal race training events for those wishing to improve their racing skills. Training of Patrol Boat Helms and Race Officers is also done on an informal basis for those wishing to volunteer. In addition, we normally have a day of general refresher training for all members at the start of the season.

Kayak / Canoe / Paddle Boarding

If you enjoy going out as a group, check the club’s Facebook page, if there is no chat about a paddle put something up and see what response you get. There also a club WhatsApp group advertising events. Please note these are informal trips not supported by patrol boats.

Try Sailing

If you have never sailed before or have very limited experience, we are happy to arrange for you to be taken out by an experienced Club member. This could be either on a Flotilla Sailing day or a Race Day dependent on your experience or preference. If interested contact the Secretary on blakeneysailingclub@gmail.com.

Other Events

We also arrange other events throughout the year. These include lunches, social evenings, presentations, talks, our annual BBQ and through Fun Week there is cycling, a walk and tennis match.