New Members Guide
Everything you need to know about your new club
Welcome to Middle Nene Sailing Club!
We are delighted you have joined us and welcome you to the Middle Nene "family". As a member we hope you will enjoy many happy and fulfilling years.
The club is very well equipped for the dinghy sailor, with laid out berthing for more than 200 dinghies and moorings in the form of a "marina".
As members of the Middle Nene "family" you are encouraged to be involved in the club to whatever level you can. The day to day running of the club and the facilities available to members have been provided by and are fully maintained by volunteers, sourced entirely from within our membership.
Boat Classes
Classes sailed at Middle Nene SC
Main Fleets
Classes sailed include Solo and Laser (ILCA) dinghies as well as Flying 15 and Illusion keelboats.
Menagerie Fleet
The following classes are automatically accepted: RS2000, RS200, RS Aero, RS Feva, GP14, Enterprise, Topper, Optimist, Wayfarer, Laser, National 12 and Mirror.
Other classes with a PY will need Sailing Committee approval.
Other Craft
Sail boards and Stand-up Paddle Boards are also welcome at Middle Nene.
Sailing Programme
A full sailing programme is organised by the Sailing and Training Committees. Races, staffed by members on a rota basis, are run:
During the spring/summer season, Tuesday evenings are reserved for Casual Sailing, usually with some safety boat cover.
Mostly in Spring, the club hosts several Open Meetings for some of the adopted classes, and together with pursuit and special races, this provides a varied programme throughout the year.
Learning & Development
For those wishing to learn to sail, improve their sailing or start to race, the Training Committee organises training sessions for adults and juniors.
A Youth squad is also encouraged to introduce juniors to broader aspects of sailing with competitions against other sailing clubs.
Club Facilities
Changing Rooms
Well equipped changing rooms with hot showers and lockers provided.
Mostly constant Water Level
An almost unique feature allowing you to board or disembark from fixed staging without getting wet feet!
Slipways & Beach
Three slipways are provided (one with a 1000kg winch) and a "beach" is also available for launching.
Boat Storage
Laid out berthing for more than 200 dinghies and moorings in a marina style.
Licensed Bar
Our own licensed bar is open during programmed sailing days and organised social evenings.
Galley
Open during the season serving hot and cold snacks. Members may also use galley facilities if not manned.
Sail Any Time
Middle Nene members can sail at any time provided necessary safety precautions are taken. Safety is a high priority at Middle Nene.
More Than Just Sailing
The House Committee provides an excellent and varied social programme with entertainment to suit most tastes.
Camping and caravanning in the top paddock is allowed on specific social events nights and during extended sailing programmes, and at other times by arrangement.
Angling members may fish the river or lake from our surrounding land and social members may enjoy all our land-based facilities and events on offer.
The club has several picturesque walks and a bird sanctuary within its environs.
Club History
The club has over 75 years of existence, and has been sailing on this lake since 1947.
The Early Days
When sailing started here the lake, or gravel pit as it was then, was about one third of its present size, and sailors had to contend with the occasional barge carrying gravel from the Aldwincle end to the works at Thrapston.
By 1960, a further gravel pit had been worked out between our pit and the river, greatly extending our sailing water. The two pits were separated by a bank topped by a hedge, with a channel either side to enable members to sail from one pit to the other.
Growth & Achievement
The club steadily grew in numbers and prestige, and we can number Olympic, World and National Championships among the achievements of former or current members, as well as Open Meeting successes too numerous to mention.
In 1992, following years of patient negotiations, the Sailing Club Members purchased the site along with some 182 acres of water and surrounding land. This was a major and very far-sighted achievement, providing real benefits in controlling costs and enabling a much longer term view in planning.
The Modern Lake
In 1996 a major project was mounted to remove the gravel bank separating the two lakes. This was (eventually) successful and means we now have about 140 acres of open, unrestricted water on which to sail.
One of the immediate benefits of purchasing the site was being able to provide vehicular access from Thrapston directly to the club car park.
Middle Nene Cruising Club
The motor cruising club is now based at Titchmarsh Mill on the Thrapston to Oundle road. Full facilities are provided for the river cruiser, including an excellent licensed bar and refurbished club-room.
Although the two clubs are now constitutionally independent, our long history as one club creates a close atmosphere between us. Visitors from each other's site are always welcome and the members from one site are automatically affiliated to the other.
Questions?
Our New Members' Representative is here to help you settle in and answer any questions.