Sailing Programme
Frampton-on-Severn boasts a very full sailing programme and we think that we have included something for everyone. We are particularly keen to provide as many opportunities as possible to develop your sailing or racing skills but at the same time have fun in your boat.
While you can sail your boat any time and join in with all club racing at Frampton, many members have started by taking part in one of the sail training courses on offer, then joining in with the introduction to racing course or race training before joining club racing. You can now come down for the social sailing sessions to get even more time on the water. For a more detailed explanation of events listed on the club programme read on.
Please check the dates and times of sailing and racing events in programme.
Social Sailing
(Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings as proposed)
This is a great opportunity to get some practice in after completing a sail training course or just go for a gentle sail. Anyone can use these sessions in which the club boats are available and a rescue boat is on the water. Each week there is an experienced sailor rostered as an Officer Of The Day. They will be on hand for rescue cover and assistance with club boats, or your own boat. The bar is also opened Thursday evenings!
Introduction to Racing
(Thursday evenings)
For new/novice racers only!
This is a free opportunity for very friendly training and racing along with expert coaching to help you improve your sailing skills and racing expertise. Straight forward starts and simple courses are used. It is hoped this gives new sailors a flavour of the joy of competition and the confidence to join in general club racing. You may use your own boat or borrow a club boat. Some of our regular racers adult or junior have used the introduction to racing have used this course as a stepping stone between sail training and club racing.
Junior Series
(Sunday mornings)
We have 2 junior series that take place on Sunday mornings. The first series follows the Oppy training on 4 Sundays and the second ‘Autumn series’ runs on Sunday mornings through the school summer holidays. Any junior sailor can take part in the races (club Toppers may be available to those who have not got a boat). Courses will be kept simple and races will be take between 30-40 minutes. It is hoped it will give junior sailors a chance to have a go at racing without the oldies getting in the way. Prizes will be awarded!
Club Racing
(Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings in the summer)
Everyone is encouraged to join in and while we have a few hot shots, sailors of all abilities enjoy the thrill of competition. Racers are really quite friendly and always willing to offer advice and help a fellow sailor. Contact your Fleet Captain for guidance on how to get started.
At Frampton we run 3 different types of races:
Class - popular classes have their own start (see Sailing Instructions), great if you’re not so sure about busy start lines!
Pursuit - In general each type of boat has their own start indicated by a number on an electronic board. This results in a staggered start with the faster boats starting later and having to catch up the slower boats. Perfect if you’re new to racing Toppers or Mirrors as you get to sail round the course on your own before the faster boats eventually catch up!
General handicap - all boats start together on the same start line and results are calculated using boat handicap numbers. Handicap races are often split into fast and slow handicap starts especially during the summer months.
Club Championship
This is a series of 9 separate Sundays of racing across the year. Apart from the 3 RNLI pursuit races held over 3 consecutive evenings in a week. On a Championship day there are 3 races, a general handicap, Pursuit and second general handicap race. Prizes are awarded individually for each day as well as the series.
Join us for drinks too after sailing!
Family Dinghy Weekends
(End of May and August Bank Holidays)
On these weekends normal club racing does not occur. Instead club boats are made available for any club members to use. Some water and land based activities may be arranged depending on the conditions. The fun 6 hour race will be held on the August bank holiday and uses the club gulls in the day! Camping will take place for those who have a passion for sleeping under canvas and of course the bar will be open.
Open Meetings
These are days when racing occurs for a certain class of boat. Visitors from other clubs are invited to join in the racing and prizes are awarded for the day’s sailing. It’s a great opportunity to race against boats of your own class and other local sailors.
We have changed our Club rules and canoeing is allowed on the lake as long as you keep clear of any sailing boats racing, or training.
Don’t forget the lake is there to sail on at any time of day, any day of the week! So there’s no excuse for your boat to sit in its berth.