Anyone go river sailing? Thames

[kriss]

I have recently started visiting the Thames Sailing Club near my home town of Surbiton - Kingston upon Thames.

Me and my girlfriend who i live with went to their Olympic "give it a go" open day last week and I have the bug.

Having never sailed before I was soon invited to come back for a club night where I got to crew on a Thames A-Rater. A 100+ year old design specifically for the Kingston to Hampton Court stretch of river. Boats are small sailing hulls with 42 ft sails. Gorgreos boats to look at with three crew required.

I am going to go to as many club nights as possible to make sure its not a five minute wonder.

Anyone else interested in Rover sailing or dighies locay?

[Brother D]

There are a couple of clubs down at Putney you might want to visit, quite technical sailing due to the buildings and short expanse of water.

But really worth trying dingy sailing on a lake, lots of fun when it's windy, its great when you have learned the basics

[bluesatin]

Looking at the Thames in Marlow today you may go downstream quite quickly!

[TTwiggy]

Most of us raggies tend to hang around in estuaries. Bridges tend to get in the way otherwise

[Todzilla]

I used to live in Twickenham and there was a yacht club on the shoreline there that had a good mix of dinghy's that all raced together - and if all else fails it's just across the road from The White Swan...!

[XJSJohn]

Had a spin on an A Rater a few years ago at Bourne End Week, quite a machine and great fun! Have done a little but of i14 sailing at UTYC with another PH lurker who will no doubt pop his head up soon! More of a salt water and waves type sailor myself!

excuse for a gratuitous picture of raters at UTYC