SOCA Sailing

26/01/2026

Sea Survival Liferaft session

Soca Meeting February 2026
WEDNESDAY 11th February @ 8pm
Hatfield Swim Centre

Names required so please book your FREE place at this event by email to: [email protected]

We have arranged a Sea Survival Liferaft session at Hatfield Swim Centre in conjunction with Mid Herts Divers. This is an informal training event based on RNLI, BSAC and RYA safety advice ensuring members learn to use equipment before they are in any emergency situation.

8pm: Theory session covering pool safety briefing and essential sea survival principles.
9pm: 1 hour of practical training in the pool using liferafts and lifejackets.

NOTE THIS IS NOT ON THE NORMAL MEETING DATE

Members and guests are also invited to join us for drinks and social on Thursday 19th February @ 7:30pm at our committee meeting held at the RNA Welwyn Garden City. Country members can join via Zoom on request.

http://www.socasailing.org.uk

08/11/2025

Soca Meeting Thursday 13th November 2025
Navigating the Crinan Canal
A talk by Andrew Davidson
@ 7:30pm RNA
Please share with your contacts, visitors welcome.

We hope you can join us at the RNA Club or on Zoom for our November meeting.
Don’t miss this talk by SOCA member Andrew Davidson presenting details of his trip through the Crinan Canal in Scotland this May.
We will also have a RNLI merchandise table inc Christmas cards, cash only so please arrive early and bring your pennies.

Live at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City
Also On zoom @ 7:30pm

http://www.socasailing.org.uk
See you there

22/10/2025

SOCA 2026 Calendar
Please order by 30th November

Our 2026 calendar is in production and features some of the photographs which were entered into last years photo competition by SOCA members. Please be generous with your ordering so that we can make a good profit for the Commodores Charity.

Perhaps you have family and friends who would like to place an order, please forward this email.

£6 A5 Small calendars
£10 A4 Medium calendars
£18 A3 Large calendars

We will be printing to order so reserve your calendars today.
Email your order to:
[email protected]

Your calendars will be available at the 11th December meeting / Stevenage collection / p&p.
We will need to cover costs on orders that require p&p.

Direct transfer to SOCA bank account preferred, or cash on collection.
Bank details will be sent with order confirmation.

10/06/2025

Please like and Share: Reminder for soca on Thursday. See you at RNA club Welwyn Garden City or on Zoom. Please support this meeting with guest speaker Paul Gillions from RNLI.

Welcome to SOCA SOCA Sailing is an active club with members from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and surrounding areas. We also have members from Norfolk and Hampshire. Our members range from beginners to round-the-world sailors, with a number being boat owners. We welcome new members: Members....

06/05/2025

Please share with anyone who may wish to join us on Thursday evening:

Soca Meeting this Thursday 8th May 2025
Sailing St Lucia and St Vincent @ 7:30pm RNA

We hope you can join us at the RNA Club or on Zoom for our May meeting.
Don’t miss this Thursday’s talk on Sailing Around St Lucia and St Vincent, by Terry Branston.

Terry will be discussing the sailing all around both islands, the customs clearance that was involved in sailing from one island to another and the local culture. With plenty of photographs and chart plotter screen grabs.

Live at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City
Also On zoom @ 7:30pm

07/01/2025

Please share with anyone who may wish to join us on Thursday evening.

Soca Meeting Thursday January 9th 2025
Zoom presentation by Judith & Hakoon Jacobsen
Sailing adventure in Patagonia. From Puerto Montt to
Puerto Williams and around Cape Horn.
Three months in an incredible place to sail. Dolphins and Penguins followed them on their trip. Views of Glaciers and the Great Southern Icefield. Anchoring in small Caletas enjoying books of Slocum and Tillman, who inspired places to stay for the night. Sometimes waiting for days for the weather to improve when it blew 60-80 knots. An extra 160 nm provided the possibility to vist Puerto Natales and the fabulous National Park: Torres del Paine. As the [Coup de grace], they were able to land on the Horn and visit the family stationed at the light house.

On zoom @ 7:30pm prompt
Also at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City
More info:
www.socasailing.org.uk

12/11/2024

Soca Meeting November 2024
Thursday 14th @ 7:30pm
At the RNA in Welwyn Garden City
The Steam Tug Challenge
A zoom talk by Edward Ions

+ RNLI Merchandise. Visitors welcome

The Steam Tug Challenge is the last steam tug to work on the River Thames. She took part in Operation Dynamo in 1940 helping with the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. She is part of the National Historic Fleet of the UK. The talk will cover Challenge's history, her design and machinery, restoration, troubles that have been faced, future plans and what it's like running her.

Edward is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable speaker and dedicated ‘Challenge’ volunteer, he recently presented to the Cruising Association. At the meeting we plan a presentation from the 2023 Commodores charity to help with the up keep of Steam Tug Challenge.

We will also have Hitchin & District RNLI selling merchandise and Christmas Cards.

See you there.

Our Programme Find below what we are currently planning for 2024 Upcoming Events in 2024 Programme page last Updated 12h November 2024 Thursday 14th November Steam Tug Challenge Topic will be a presentation on the steam tug CHALLENGE which is the last surviving example of a large purpose-built, Tham...

25/10/2024

SOCA 2025 Calendar
Please order by 30th November

Our 2025 calendar features some of the photographs which were entered into last years photo competition by SOCA members.
Please be generous with your ordering so that we can make a good profit for the Commodores Charity.
Perhaps you have family and friends who would like to place an order, please forward this email.

£6 A5 Small calendars
£10 A4 Medium calendars
£18 A3 Large calendars

We will be printing to order so please reserve your calendars today.
Email your order to:
[email protected]

Your calendars will be available at the 12th December meeting / Stevenage collection / p&p.
We will need to cover costs on orders that require p&p.

Direct transfer to SOCA bank account preferred, or cash on collection.
Bank details will be sent with order confirmation.

14/10/2024

Soca Meeting
Thursday 17th October 2024 @ 7:30pm
At the RNA in Welwyn Garden City
A zoom talk by
This will be a talk in person by
Jeremy Batch
Swinging, Spinning and Wobbling:
pendulums, gyroscopes and Inertial Navigation

Visitors welcome
More info:
http://www.socasailing.org.uk/?p=16332

Jeremy is traveling to Welwyn Garden City so he can present in person can all members please try to attend in person as well.

October 2024 Meeting Thursday 17th October Posted on 16th September 2024 by MasterAdmin NOTE This meeting is to be held on the Third Thursday of the Month, (17th October)This will be a talk in person by Jeremy Batch. A synopsis of the presentation is given below. Swinging, Spinning and Wobbling: pen...

30/08/2024

200 Years of Saving Lives at Sea: The RNLI Story.

In this talk, Paul Gillions, a national water safety officer with the RNLI, will focus on the 200-year history, organisation and day-to-day operations of the Institution's lifeboat and lifeguard service illustrated with film footage of actual rescues and the stories that go with them.

Soca Sailing Meeting
Thursday 12th September 2024 @ 7:30pm
Visitors welcome.
We would love to see you all in person at Royal Naval Association, Welwyn Garden City
or you can join on ZOOM from 19:20

06/04/2024

http://www.socasailing.org.uk/?p=15953
Thursday 11th April 2024 @ 7:30pm
Antarctica and the Falkland Islands
By Dave Arnold
Royal Naval Association, Welwyn Garden City
Visitors welcome
or you can join on ZOOM @ 19:20

Antarctica and the Falkland Islands Posted on 3rd March 2024 by MasterAdmin The topic for the April meeting will be titled Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.  (Thursday 11th April at 7:30pm venue will be, as usual, the  RNA in Welwyn Garden City). This is bound to be a very informative and enjoy...

04/03/2024

RNLI founded 200 years ago today.
https://www.facebook.com/HitchinRNLI