Southwold Sailing Club fundraising to replace the dinghy launching slip on the River Blyth

 

Southwold Sailing Club (SSC) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, but needs £80,000 to secure its future. This incredible community resource is relying on raising significant funds to replace the dinghy launching slip on the River Blyth so that a new and fortified structure can allow safe sailing on this beautiful tidal inlet to continue for many decades to come.

This inclusive and family-friendly sailing club is uniquely situated, offering opportunities for cruiser and dinghy sailing both upriver and out to sea. For over seven decades the club has been at the heart of the local sailing and wider communities. It has provided mentored access to the water for all to enjoy, regardless of ability, experience or boat-ownership. But its future is in peril.

The club was founded in an old net-pickling shed in 1949. In the early 1980s a dedicated group of club volunteers worked together to install the current slipway (dinghy launching facility), a crucial resource that has made the club what it is today. However, the slipway is no longer stable. The concrete has become eroded, revealing dangerous cracks and though damaged sections have been removed, dinghy launching can now only happen at high tide. The club must fundraise for a new slipway. This will require costly specialist equipment and expertise to sheet pile the perimeter of the slipway and prepare and fill the area with concrete.

Commodore Henry Walker said, “A new slip will help to secure this important asset for the next 75 years, and enable those of all ages and to dip their toes into this exhilarating activity. Sailing enhances the physical and mental well-being of all those who take part, and SSC is keen to use its training boats and qualified instructors to encourage new members to become part of this amazing community, while gaining skills and confidence.”

The club has an active sailing programme for racing, cruising and taster days, along with social events and regattas, and often hosts other East Coast sailing clubs. The season mainly runs from April to October and SSC is launching its crowdfunder campaign to ensure that the community can enjoy the activities on offer for many future seasons.

To support the campaign please visit  : - www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/saveourslip.