CSC(m) - The Club

The Club

A beautful day for sailing at Chelmarsh About Us

Enviably located within an area of renowned natural beauty.

With access to 110 acres of water on the reservoir, a modern clubhouse and training centre, as well as a host of events, we have something for everyone.

Swimmers SUP members and sailors participate in recreational and competitive events suited to all levels and abilities. We are proudly an RYA training facility offering Level 1-3 Courses and have also taught over 1000 people to “walk on water”. Swimmers enjoy great coaching.

The clubhouse has a fully equipped galley, bar , BBQ and modern showering and changing facilities.

For sailors we have active fleets in Supernova, Solo, Laser, Aero and GP14 classes, with many other types of sailing dinghies. We run beginner and more advanced courses and have a range of club boats available for hire. We have social sailing and racing, including regional and national events.

Swimmers are only allowed in supervised sessions but these allow new Open Water Swimmers to start with advice and support and at the top end we have regular Ironmen and women and swimmers who have swum the English Channel!

SUPs include social SUP, training and beginner “Walk on water classes” Improver sessions Club based events such as our SUPFest and away days and events. 2022 sees 16 members representing the club in one of the toughest team events in the UK.

Sailing starting in the 1960's at CSC

History

50 Years on the Water… and counting

Chelmarsh Sailing Club was established in 1965 when the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company acquired its new reservoir covering an area of approximately 110 acres. The reservoir had been built to ensure an adequate supply of water for Wolverhampton and areas around Dudley in the West Midlands could be maintained but its owners had the foresight to consider the reservoir might also make a suitable venue for the sailing of dinghies. At a public meeting held in September 1965 at the Crown Inn, Bridgnorth it was decided that the creation of a sailing club was a worthwhile endeavour and the club came in to existence.

Initially members were restricted to sailing one of only three ‘adopted’ classes of dinghy, the GP14, the Scorpion and the Solo. At one time the club’s fleet of one hundred and forty GP14s was reputed to be the largest fleet of such boats in any club anywhere in the world.

For the first five years the club operated from a number of caravans and portable buildings situated at the water side. These Spartan facilities remained in use until 1970 when the club built its first club house on raised ground with commanding views over the entire sailing area. This building was later subject to extensive renovation and reconfiguration, with the new clubhouse being officially opened by HRH Princess Anne in April 2004. The current clubhouse comprises a large galley and separate bar and function room, changing rooms, showers and a training room and facilities for the disabled.

The club has enjoyed a long history of innovation, modernisation and development which continues to the present time. In 2012 the club was granted Olympic Games legacy funding which has enabled us to refurbish our three pontoons. The new pontoons provide a very stable, safe and convenient platform from which members can launch their dinghies.

In 2019 The Club adopted a Development Plan which included diversification and the addition of SUP and Swimming, this has seen not only a growth in membership but the accolade of being nominated as Midlands Finalist in the RYA Club of the Year in 2021 and now again for 2022 an incredible achievement for any club and a tribute to the active membership.

The club is proudly volunteer led and run and continues to invest in its facilities and equipment for members both on the water and at the clubhouse.