Swarkestone Sailing Club is an ideal venue to learn the basics of sailng, to dinghy cruise with friends or family, participate in club racing or just sit on the terrace with a drink and watch the sun set over Swarkestone Water. The modern clubhouse and large dinghy park have facilities and equipment for both disabled sailors and juniors.
The lake is about 30 hectares and just over 1 km long. It is suited to dinghies and windsurfers but not high performance asymmetrics or catamarans. Most boats are launched from pontoons, which avoids getting wet feet! Sailing takes place throughout the year with a variety of training courses, club races, open meetings and ‘fun’ regattas. Most of the organised activities take place at the weekend or on a Wednesday but members are free to sail at other times.
Club racing is normally held on Sundays throughout the year and on Wednesday evenings from April to October. On Sundays there are 2 – 3 races starting at 12 noon or 2pm or, in wiinter, 1 – 2 races starting around midday. Wednesday racing is for single-handed boats and two-handed boats sailing with only a helm.
All classes of dinghy are welcome and there is a menagerie start in most races.
The club prides itself in being a friendly environment suitable for families and individuals alike. It has a well-equipped clubhouse with a food bar and licensed bar open for social events and on racing days. Ther are periodic parties in the clubhouse and an annual dinner-dance and prizegiving is held in a local function suite.
