Whether you are new to sailing, or an old hand but joining Lancing for the first time, we hope you enjoy sailing with us.

This page has been written to give you some basic information about the club - who we are and what we offer and give you some local knowledge about some of the nautical services that you may need.

New to this page: How much does sailing cost?

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Free Sailing

Many club members also enjoy sailing out of hours – whether to practice or just enjoy. All full and family members are entitled to a club key, which gives access to the compounds and the changing rooms. If you use this facility and are alone please ensure you lock the clubhouse and the gates before going afloat.

Food and Drink

On Sunday lunchtimes the galley supplies a range of hot meals (early and late season) and sandwiches at very reasonable prices. All food is made to order and you need to sign up before the first race to ensure lunch is waiting. Hot and cold soft drinks are available from the galley and the bar has a selection of beers, wines and spirits.

There are deliveries of fish and chips or pizzas after Wednesday evening sailing. You need to sign up for these before the race and they are delivered at 9pm.

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Social

Social events are a chance for members new and old to get together and enjoy some great meals and activities. There is usually a special event every month, with additional barbecues in the summer. Highlights include the summer Hog Roast and the annual dinner and prize giving in November. Social events are run by members and new ideas and volunteers are always welcome.

Duties

Club activities are run by members for the members and the ethos of the club is that all members should get involved. Everyone is expected to do two duties a year – normally one in the canteen and one as part of the race team. Rotas are circulated in the winter to give everyone a chance to volunteer for dates to suit. Duties are a great way to understand more about how the racing is managed and to get to know people. New members will be teamed with longer established members and there is plenty of helpful information on the website and in the race office.

Access and Car Parking

Club members are not permitted to drive along Shopsdam Lane. If you are delivering or collecting a boat, please drop it off/pick it up from the end of the Lane. There’s parking in the streets behind the A259 or the Beach Green car park just 500 metres away.

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Just Starting

If you are new to sailing or thinking of taking it up for the first time the following sections give some useful tips on what to get and how to learn.

Boats

If you’re new to sailing you may be wondering what sort of boat to get and what equipment you’ll need.

But before deciding think carefully about the type of boat that will suit you, taking into account your experience, crew weight, beach launching and bank balance and also whether you want to race as part of a large fleet or join the handicap fleet.

The main Lancing fleets are Lasers and Toppers. The handicap fleet includes a number of Contenders, Laser 2s, Laser 4000s, RS 200 and RS 400s, Streakers and Miracles.

Yachts and Yachting, class association websites and the club notice board are all potential sources to find a second hand boat. But do look around and compare different boats before making a commitment.

Before buying a boat it is best to check with the membership secretary that there is a space available for the boat you’re thinking about.

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Insurance

If you buy your own boat it is a club requirement that it is fully insured. Noble Marine, Craftinsure and Newton Crum are the better known dinghy insurers. You will need a minimum of £1million third party insurance. For a boat worth around a £1000 this might typically cost £70 -£90.

Sailing Kit

It’s not usually necessary to splash out a fortune on sailing kit, at least not in the early stages. However a wetsuit offers both warmth and protection and there are plenty to suit all shapes and budgets. Compare prices on on-line sites, but a trip to a local shop gives you a chance to try them on. In summertime, most supermarkets stock cheap wetsuits for all ages. Generally speaking a short legged/sleeved 3mm wetsuit is OK for the summer, but if you’re planning early or late season sailing a full length 4mm suit is advisable.

A buoyancy aid is a must: most dinghy racers opt for the neat vest style to reduce bulk. Spray jackets and boots are also advisable as is a decent pair of sailing gloves.

Local stores include Compass Marine (South Street, Lancing) Sunsports (diving shop also in South Street, Worthing Watersports in Worthing, Surfladle on Shoreham Beach (mainly board kit but stock wetsuits and boots) and Ocean Sports in Hove. Specialist dinghy retailers include London Dinghy Centre and Laser Centre.

Lessons

Whilst the club occasionally arrange training events, these are aimed at teaching and refining racing skills rather than the basics of sailing. Hove Lagoon offer beginner courses and the Adur Centre in Shoreham runs courses for children and teenagers. Twice a year junior club members get the chance to take part in a Cobnor activities weekend. Details are posted on the website.

Local Services

Boat and sail repair services are available from two club members – Craig Palmer for boats and Sam Littlejohn for sails – see the notice board for contact details.

Local company hop2sailing, based in Bognor Regis, supplies an extensive range of clothing and hardware.

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