Whitstable Yacht Club

Find out how to get on the water this Summer at Whitstable Yacht Club's Discover Sailing Open Day on Sunday June 14. Book in advance for a free taster sailing session where you will be taken out by one of our experienced sailors. Or you can try the thrill of a trip on our fast power boats as well as enjoying a tour of the club and free refreshments.
And if you enjoy yourself - and we're sure you will - we can offer 60% off membership and immediate access to discounted courses, boat hire and sailing sessions which will see you confidently launch a passion for sailing in an iconic setting.
Children, adults and families are all very welcome and we have programmes for everyone; it is such a good sport for kids; teaching resilience, teamwork and problem solving all in a fun, safe environment where they will make friends and learn new skills.
We do ask that you book your taster session in advance as places are limited: https://www.wyc.org.uk/discover-sailing-wyc-open-day/

Congratulations to the victorious ladies team who won the annual gents vs ladies WYC golf tournament - it was a hot and humid afternoon but a good time was had by all. Great photobomb Hils!!
The lucky ladies: Julie Nuttall, Kellie Gray, Jill F**g, Hillary Bradshaw, Philippa Bloice, Stephanie Barnes
The gracious gents: John Cooper, Tony Ullman, Det Hoffman. Patrick McDonnell, Stephen Gerlis, Peter Gowring

Club Closed Due to Water Cuts
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The club bar is closed this evening (Thursday) as we have no water which means no toilets, showers or washing, so it is not hygienic to open the bar.

The children's sailing courses were cancelled today. We hope to go ahead with them tomorrow but will make a final decision at about 8am.
South Eastern Water have said water will return today or tomorrow, but it may be intermittent over the weekend. We will advise about the bar opening once we have more information tomorrow.

Sorry all - bar closing at 19:00 - no water

Yachts and Yachting report on the WYC RNLI pursuit race - congratulations to Rick and Sarah Perkins and a great result raising £260 for our friends at RNLI Whitstable Lifeboat Station

www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/296491/Whitstable-YC-RNLI-Pursuit-Race

Bank holiday Monday May 25th sees our annual pursuit race in aid of our friends at the RNLI. The race will be run over 90 minutes for the slowest boats with faster boats starting later in accordance with their handicaps. In theory classes could all finish together, depending of course on the skill of the sailor! The RNLI hope to be in attendance, subject to not being called into action, a collection will be held (bring cash!) and prizes presented on the day by the RNLI crew.

Start times will be displayed on the course board and on the committee boat and can be found via link:https://www.wyc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-RNLI-Pursuit-Race-Timings.pdf

There is also a Transition to Racing session prior to racing with on the water coaching – book here: https://www.wyc.org.uk/book-a-training-session/

Whitstable Town Regatta report published by Yachts and Yachting Online - congratulations to the winners:
1st: Rick & Sarah Perkins (Tasar)
2nd: Joe Barton (Topper)
3rd: Nick Stephens (Laser)
4th: Ben McVeigh (Laser Radial)

Whitstable Town Regatta 2026 WYC were delighted to host the 232rd Whitstable Town regatta over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend with a total of 53 boats taking part including visitors from as far as Bristol and Shoreham.

Bar hours for the bank holiday weekend are as follows:

Friday May 1st: 12.00-23.00

Saturday May 2nd: 12.00-21.00

Sunday May 3rd: 12.00-20.00

Monday May 4th: 12.00-20.00

Enjoy a drink with the best view in town!

Think racing is a little too much for you right now? How about attending our unique ‘Transition to Racing’ sessions to help bridge the gap? Sessions start with a shore-based chat through one aspect of a race, followed by the opportunity to practice on the water what you’ve learned on shore.

First session is on May 4th, bank holiday Monday at 13.00, followed by further sessions on May 9th, May 17th and May 25th (RNLI pursuit race).

Book via the website: https://www.wyc.org.uk/book-a-training-session/

The Cruise Almost Went Completely Wrong But Was Also a Great Success!
At the briefing, 20 minutes before launch, what could possibly go wrong? Beautiful sunshine, a gentle NW breeze 5-8 knots, a laminated pilotage and chart sheet for each boat, aims, objectives and obstacles (oyster racks and 28 Toppers) identified, signals clear (visual & vhf Ch. 72), tides perfect with HW at 2pm. Some of us looking forward to the 4.5 miles run back under spinnaker. But it all went wrong!
By 12.15pm the wind had dropped to a whisper, the cruise leader’s radio had unlocked from Ch. 72, but then broadcast the message he had not heard, word for word to the entertainment of any neutral listener. Plan changed. Sorry. Not making Faversham Creek. We are going to Shellness.
Forty five minutes sail and drift later, with Jim’s classic Cornish cruiser buddied up with Giggle W 1561 under tow, we made landfall at the remote and very beautiful white shell beaches of Shellness. Not before, Whoosh!, Simon pulled up on his windsurf, and immediately helped everyone to anchor or tie onto a groyne. Some of us enjoyed a picnic lunch, others who had counted on the pub, survived thanks to their breakfast porridge.
Well, it would be a spinnaker run back surely! Oh no it wasn’t. Not a breath of wind in the East Swale doldrums. The 3.5 Mercury outboard, fired up again, drove Giggle and took two boats under tow, the trio enjoying a power assisted if noisy return home, while Daisey quietly cruised on her electric Torqeedo having dispensed with sails altogether.
But for the nine sailors, and windsurfer? It Was Fun! Wrong wind, wrong destination, wrong pilotage and chart, no lunch for some, and no glorious photos of a lovely run back under sail. But that’s how it goes with cruising. The aim at the outset was put very simply: “To be safe and have fun”. That was a great success. We enjoyed great company, no shouts of “Starboard!”, and a really good day!
P.S. Simon made it back before us. Must have a propeller under the board.
With thanks to Richard Maltby for this report.