Abbey Sailing Club has historically been focused on high level competitive sailing.  For many years, this focus worked well for the club, attracting experienced sailors and new comers keen to learn sailing to a high level.  During these times, non-sailing water sports activity was neither allowed nor encouraged!  This was seen as an unnecessary distraction to sailing excellence!

As years progressed, the club struggled to maintain it's numbers, with an aging membership reducing year by year.  As with many clubs, Covid hit the club hard, and the committee began to look at how it could better service the local community to ensure its longer term viability.

Post covid, a deliberate change in approach was adoped, which proved highly successful.  Whilst still maintaining it's sailing roots, the club began to support a wider range of watersports - Canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming.  

Under the leadership of our previous Commodore, Sylvia Jones, the club began organising more family friendly events, focusing on welcoming new members and integrating them into club life.  Over a period of a few years, the membership bounced back to healthy levels, with more vibrancy in the club.  Suddenly, club nights and weekends were bustling with energy and activity once again.  

Far from frowning at kids messing about on the river, seeing how many children they can get onto a topper before it capsizes, this form of learning and laughter became common place.

Sailing is still at the heart of what we do, including beginner friendly races on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.  Casual sailing takes place all through the Spring and Summer.