Wilsonian Sailing Club

21/04/2026

08/04/2026

https://wilsoniansc.org.uk/shop

31/03/2026

Whilst the start of the main season began last Sunday with a very windy Ice Breaker, the conditions are never quite the same from year to year. This year’s race took competitors out to Channel Buoy 23 and back, weaving through various stretches of the river between there and the club.

Here’s a report from our very own Roy Winnett (Ex-Commodore), written in March 1998:

29/03/2026

The first club event of the main season kicked off with the Ice Breaker. With a south-westerly Force 4 wind gusting up to Force 7, conditions made for some challenging yet enjoyable sailing. The fleet headed down to Channel Buoy 23, carefully navigating around other buoys along the course before making the return journey.

https://sailboat.racing/clubs/wilsonian/series/championship-series-2026/races/ice-breaker-race

The first club event of the main season kicked off with the Ice Breaker. With a south-westerly Force 4 wind gusting up to Force 7, conditions made for some c...

20/03/2026

For more information go to https://wilsoniansc.org.uk/open-day or email [email protected]

Share and spread the word, it's a great day to get on the water!

18/03/2026

Entry is now open for the Medway Regatta 2026.

https://medwayregatta.co.uk/

15/03/2026

Weather - F4 with gusts reaching F6 (25 mph) coming from the South West.

TEAM NIMBUS WIN THE DAY!!

Super Crew Sophie and Average Helm Stuart get the results they were seeking on an extremely windy/ gusty day on the Medway.

It might be that this is the series of the year that they are keen, more than any other, to win, because the satin silver trophy is very pretty! Ok, not might, IT IS the series that they would like to win!

They missed the first 2 races due to the Dinghy Show, the weekend that Jo in her super speedy Streaker won both races, so it’s been 3 weekends of trying to move above her in the overall results.

Today, 2 1st places were hoped for to secure 1st overall at the end of the series next weekend, this being because Jo will be Race Officer next weekend and therefore not racing. This would allow Nimbus Helm Stuart to be CDO, which still needed filling, this has since been filled by the kind and generous ex Commodore Jason.

The course . . . the same ‘but different’ to last week, same course marks, but a downwind start which with the short leg to 31, had potential to cause chaos! It was then a short upwind leg to 30A, a reach across to the blue fishing boat, a gybe mark, then another reach to Club Buoy 1, 2 laps.

Not ideal for a 2000, with very few spinnaker opportunities, however with the new spinnaker fitted Team Nimbus weren’t too upset about that. It seemed much calmer ashore when choosing to fit the new spinnaker.

Race 1 - an exciting start alongside Hannah and Ian in their National 12, some real hard work was required in the windy and gusty conditions, sails were eased and pulled in constantly for maximum speed! This worked well and Team Nimbus rounded 31 ahead of the fleet. Jo in her Streaker decided to retire near 31 and return to shore, this took the pressure off Team Nimbus who now just needed a couple of top two results to ensure 6 good results, the number of races to count if 10 races are run. Team Nimbus stayed ahead for the whole race to secure 1st place, closely followed by Team National 12.

Race 2 - less boats than Race 1! The pack was closer after the start though, so Team Nimbus decided that hoisting the spinnaker was necessary to get clear ahead, well either that or it would be a disaster, but fortunately the wind was kind and it paid off. Chris and Nina in their Laser 2000 did the same to round 31 in 2nd place. The National 12 had not done so well, but they then found a decent lift after 31 which took them up to 2nd place by 30A. Between the Blue Fishing Boat and Club Buoy 1 a massive gust hit Team Nimbus, whilst dealing with wash from a motorboat, this led to Sophie hearing a word she hadn’t heard her helm before! It was then similar to Race 1 with some close racing between Team Nimbus and Team N12. Team Nimbus crossed the line first to secure 1st place.

Brian and Daria did well sailing their 2000 with failing jib sheets.

Rebecca on her 2nd outing in her Aero 5 was amazing, so many capsizes but never gave up and completed both races!

Many thanks to all those that volunteered to do today’s duties.

So that’s it for another weekend, what will next weekend bring??

Weather - F4 with gusts reach F6 (25 mph) coming from the South West.TEAM NIMBUS WIN THE DAY!!Super Crew Sophie and Average Helm Stuart get the results they ...

26/02/2026

WSC warm up series Race 1&2 Sunday 22 February 2026

After a busy series of winter work parties, prize giving evening, AGM and Dinghy Show the WSC sailing season has finally started; I’m sure I was not the only person desperate to get back on the water again.

Marking the start of the start of Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse and closing ceremony of Winter Olympics from Milano Cortina, the Warm Up Series Race 1&2 held on 22 February 2026 were run as back-to-back races. There are 10 planned races for this 5 week series with ‘self- managed’ duties and using the 2026 PY numbers.

The weather forecast conditions were light rain, some cloud with wind 15mph and gusts up to 29mph, Wind WSW Force 4 gusting Force 6. The course was set by our Race Officers Ian and Chris as 32P, Blue Fishing BoatS, 30AS, 31P, club line, as a lapping course with 2 laps planned for each race, using the same race course. The tide was the lowest I can ever recall seeing, at least 8 to 10 feet off the end of the slipway with high water at 16.07 at 5.9m. Race 1 first warning signal sounded at 10.25am and 9 boats rigged and ready to race.

The new PY numbers with Streaker at 1121 and 2000 at 1122 and Vareo at 1095, promised some tight racing. The new lights on the race board were easily seen on the water (thanks for work party tasks) and with a very shifty wind, we were off!! Fantastic start by Jo in her Streaker (2190) , Jason in his Vareo (496) and Brian in his Blaze (790), closely followed by Rebecca in Laser (178489) with the 2 x 2000’s of Nina/ Gareth (21405) and Nik/ Rachel (22321) swapping places throughout the race course, with Anna back from her antipodean adventure in Streaker (1838). Between 30AS and 31P proved challenging for many sailors with the tide running and wind shifting.

A few sailors went for an ‘early bath’ with one or two capsizes in race 1 and thanks to Ian and Hannah in safety boat, for their assistance when needed, who commented it was good to have the new binoculars in the safety boat. There were 2 late starters for race 1, including James in his new Vareo (217) and Isabelle in her Byte (3612).

The wind certainly picked up for Race 2 with some incredible gusts from the start line to 32P and when Nik said hoist the spinnaker for run to BFB, for a moment I hesitated but 2000 is definitely more stable when kite is flying, and it surely was a sight! After 1.5 laps the Race Officers finished the race, thankfully, as I some sailors had further capsizes. I always recall Tony Hunt’s word of wisdom to me shortly after I joined the club and getting the hang of sailing 2000 ‘its not Sunday swimming lessons Rachel!!’

All back ashore safely to enjoy Rebecca’s home made delicious soup, served by Derek in the galley, and talk through the racing in the club house.

Looking forward to next week. Happy Sailing Rachel Sheridan 2000 22321

23/02/2026

Yesterday marked the start of our 5-week Warm-Up Series, designed to fine-tune everything before the main season begins. Despite facing gusts of up to Force 6, we were still amazed that everyone returned in the same shape they set out — although judging by this morning’s wobbly legs, perhaps not entirely unchanged!

It was an exhilarating day on the water, with 9 boats racing from 10:30am, watched by dog walkers and Sunday strollers as the drama unfolded. The most memorable moments came as boats rounded the large red buoy (32) at the corner of St. Mary’s Island, right as an unexpected squall swept through.

Our two Saturday clubs are ready to welcome anyone keen to get involved:

Saturday Skimmers (mornings)
For juniors aged roughly 6 to 18 — whether completely new to sailing or already hooked and eager for more time on the water.

Adult Rookies (afternoons)
Perfect for adults new to sailing who want a friendly, relaxed, non-competitive session with guidance from experienced sailors.

Sunday is Race Day, where practice meets competition and skills are truly put to the test.

If you’d like to join us on the river, we’d love to hear from you!

03/02/2026

Amongst the everyday news, reporter Louise Kirby from the Kent Messenger had some fun with Brian Warwick, our dinghy instructor. And whilst this was back in 1996, we are still happy to take guests afloat so they can enjoy what we do each week.

"I always imagined sailing next month in Chatham to be a relaxing sport to be enjoyed on long, balmy summer days. After an hour battling against the wind and the choppy waters of the River Medway on a cold morning, I knew I was wrong.

Maritime stages the International Maritime Show. During the four-day event members of the public will get a chance to try their hand at sailing. To find out what they can expect, Louise Kirby took to the water and discovered there's more to sailing than meets the eye.
My helmsman for the day was Brian Warwick, 48, of the Wilsonian Sailing Club, Hoo. Brian has been sailing for more than 20 years and, as I watched him stride into the freezing river without a moment's hesitation, it suddenly occurred to me that sailing is not for the faint-hearted.

Wearing a wet suit and life jacket I followed confidently and clambered aboard the 14ft dinghy.

Unfortunately my boots had already filled with water, and as I sat aboard awaiting instructions I couldn't help considering how cold and wet I felt.

Seconds later the sails filled with air and, as the boat began to pick up speed, I quickly forgot about my cold feet. For the hour I was on board it was my job to help Brian with the tacking.

Tacking is the official term for changing the direction of the boat so the wind can drive through the sails. It involves moving from one side of the boat to the other and pulling ropes to let the sails out.

Tacking requires speed and co-ordination and, if not done quickly enough, the boat will either stop, or at worst, capsize.

Luckily for us, I managed to keep the boat afloat and, as we sailed down the river against the tide, I soon developed a speedy technique.

Back on dry land Brian talked me through what I had learned, and to my delight gave a glowing report.

He said: “You did very well and you soon got used to how the boat works.”

Contemplating his words of praise I made my way back to the club house and, casting one last glance across the River Medway, realised that sailing requires strength and stamina, and above all, a sense of fun and adventure."