The King George Sailing Club was founded more than 30 years ago to provide dinghy sailing and windsurfing on the largest and best sailing water in the north and east of London. The Club enjoys facilities both on and off the water and has an active membership engaged in racing, learning to sail, casual sailing, and windsurfing. In recognition of our good facilities and encouragement of youth sailing, the Royal Yachting Association has awarded the club Volvo Champion Club status.
Where are we?
The Club is located at the King George V Reservoir, Lea Valley Road, Chingford, London E4 7PX. The entrance is at Grid Reference TL374950N. There is very easy access from London, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Middlesex, via the M25, M11, A10, and the North Circular Road, all of which run within easy reach from the club. You will find us in the A-Z of London.
Our Facilities
The Club sails on 180 acres of open water raised 20 metres above the surrounding countryside, so relatively clear and consistent winds are available. The sailing programme is all year round, and members from coastal clubs, who want to enjoy the nearest thing to the sea in North London, are welcome to join the club for the winter months
The Club has a large car park, and large dinghy park. There are modern changing rooms with hot showers, and facilities for sailors with disabilities. Plus there is a canteen for food and drinks, and a Clubhouse with licensed bar for regular social events.
On the water, you can enjoy easy launching and can step into your boat from the pontoons with dry feet. Windsurfers have their own grass area for rigging and launching is safe. Well-equipped safety boats provide safety cover on club days, which together with a Committee boat, provide high quality racing. For those not going afloat, there is an indoor viewing area to watch the action, with good views over the whole water.
Racing
The Club has a full programme of summer and winter class and handicap racing series on Sunday mornings all year round, and on Saturday afternoons from Easter until Christmas. In the summer, class and handicap racing series are held on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. There are also regular special events, pursuit races, and open meetings, throughout the year. The Club has enthusiastic and talented members in Lasers, Solos, Contender, Fireballs, and ISOs, as well as a number of other dinghy classes, all of which enjoy a high standard of racing.
Learning to sail
Want to learn to sail, but don’t have a boat or a board? No problem. The Club runs sailing training courses for beginners throughout the summer, on our large expanse of uncrowded water that provides ideal safe conditions to learn. The courses are taught by qualified instructors and follow the RYA syllabus to the nationally recognised standard of level 1 and level 2. The courses combine short classroom theory sessions with practical sessions on the water, with the aim of ensuring that learning is as enjoyable as possible. The courses take place at weekends.
Youth evening
The Club runs a Tuesday Youth Evening from May to August, to introduce and develop members and local children in sailing. The Youth Evening has over 60 active members.
The Club runs a Tuesday Youth Evening from May to August, to introduce and develop members and local children in sailing. The Youth Evening has over 60 active members.
Windsurfing
The Club is north London’s premier windsurfing location, with water raised and exposed to winds running through the Lea Valley. Winds are relatively clean for an inland location and work in all directions due to the large sailing area. There is a large grassed area for rigging close to the water, and races can be provided if requested. Windsurfers can sail any day of the week, provided they follow the ‘buddy’ system. Changing rooms with hot showers are always available.
Casual sailing
Members may casual sail, including hiring club boats, on those days when the club is open.
Club boats
The Club has a large fleet of boats for members to hire, including Wayfarers, Enterprises, Gulls, Lasers (with various rigs), Picos, Toppers, and Oppies. The Club also has windsurfers for hire with various rigs.
Social
The Club has a Club Night on Thursday evenings during the summer series. Social functions are organised during the year, including BBQ, Annual Prize Giving Dinner Dance, and Christmas Kid’s Party.
Want to join the club You are welcomed to visit the Club at any time on days when the Club is open, and see our expanse of water. If you already sail, do bring your boat or windsurfer so that you can sample our superb water and facilities first hand.
You may also contact our membership secretary:
membership@kgsc.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Club’s membership year runs from 1st April to 31st March, There are various types of membership: ordinary, family, senior, student, cadet, and Associate. Also there is a winter membership available from 1st November to 31st March.
Due to the recent reopening we have kept our membership fees at the level they were at three years ago, hence making it one of the lowest membership fees around.
The Club runs a Tuesday Youth Evening from May to August, to introduce and develop members and local children in sailing. The Youth Evening has over 60 active members. The Club is north London’s premier windsurfing location, with water raised and exposed to winds running through the Lea Valley. Winds are relatively clean for an inland location and work in all directions due to the large sailing area. There is a large grassed area for rigging close to the water, and races can be provided if requested. Windsurfers can sail any day of the week, provided they follow the ‘buddy’ system. Changing rooms with hot showers are always available. The Club has a large fleet of boats for members to hire, including Wayfarers, Enterprises, Gulls, Lasers (with various rigs), Picos, Toppers, and Oppies. The Club also has windsurfers for hire with various rigs.
