So, following on from my previous random text, I was wondering if you guys out there could send me links to or post a comment about the coolest looking yacht clubs you've come across...
They are our sanctuary when its too breezy to sail, too cold, too dark or we're boat-less, they are where we re-count our highs and lows and victories and protests and arguments and we show off the new kit, the old boat the new sails and well, for a lot of us they become part of our life...
So lets get together some comments, picture and links to those sailing clubs and yacht clubs and shacks-with-a-flag-pole that we spend our non-sailing time at, and mybe I'll recreate a piece of it in second life or maybe I'll just be jealous of your bar or your view from the changing rooms or the flat screen TV in the corner of your G&T room..who knows...
For my part, these are my memorable ones for random reasons:
Brookvale Park SC (Birmingham)
Two-story house on a small park just by the M6 spaghetti junction, male and femal changing rooms, loos, kitchen, settees but no bar...
Draycote Water
Big changing rooms, nice wet bar downstairs, large lounge and great bar (nice woodwork). So nice infact that I had my wedding reception there ten years ago! :-)
Barnt Green
Just like this one-story sailing club in the outskirts of Brum, log fire, small but nice bar and lovely views over the small lake.... an intimate bar, great if you are in the in-crowd, not so good as a newbie...
Others.... Rutland is great for having two country pubs in crawling distance, accomodation block downstairs and the floor doesnt feel too bad 2 sleep on, Grafam great views.... Poole nice snooker table and great G&T's
BTW, don't worry up there in little Scotland, I haven't forgotten you...
St.Mary's Loch
THE Cheapest Bar in the UK, the friendliest members (the coldest water when yer skinny-dipping!), the maddest dancing and the best service when they went into town to replenish the gallons of G&T we drank on the first night!
Anyway, whats your coolest club?
4 comments:
I have a soft spot for Rutland too - spent a couple of very happy years as a member there.
I have belonged to a couple of "off-the-beach" clubs in New Jersey with absolutely minimal facilities - one has 2 tiny sheds, the other no clubhouse at all - and they are kind of cool.
At the other extreme, the New York YC's pad in Newport must be about the swankiest club on the planet.
But the coolest of all is the place where we sailed the Sunfish Worlds in Colombia, which was the Naval Officers' Club in Cartagena. There was a Marine with a machine gun on the gate making sure only authorized visitors could get in. You don't get that kind of security at your average sailing club!
There is a sailing club that sails at Burnham Overy Staithe in Norfolk that doesn't have a club house. Check out thier website : http://www.overystaithesc.org.uk/
Must make for Cheep membership fees!
I have to say that of all the clubs that I have sailed at the best one is Snettisham Beach sailing club (www.snetbeach.co.uk).
It is a small club but with good facilities, the beer is cheep, the atmosphere is welcoming, but what makes it great is its location. The view from the club is sea and sky with its ever changing drama of colours,light and seascape. Sometimes, as the sun sets, the scene takes your breathe away.
There is nothing better than to chill out on the balcony watching the sunset whilst supping a beer in the company of your fellow sailors.
Want a good reason to visit?
This year we are host to the Enterprise Eastern Area Champs, which is also part of the national ciruit, on 9/10th June and we have a coaching weekend on the 2nd/3rd June.
Don't forget the picturesque log-cabin-style clubhouse at Rudyard. All those overhanging trees don't make for the best sailing water but the clubhouse sure looks good...
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