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Canoe-sailing began in Britain in the 1860’s and within a few years had established itself both in Britain and in the United States of America.  Some early canoes were decked, with very large sail areas, considerable lead ballast and heavy iron centreplates.  It was not until the turn of the century that sailing unballasted open canoes began, at Sheepshead Bay, on the Eastern seaboard of the USA and became very popular.  Eventually they were to become the canoes sailed by the American Canoe Association.

Canoe-sailing has continued in Britain and the USA throughout this century although it was not until April 1990 that sailing canoes became re-established in any kind of semi-formal organisation in the United Kingdom.

During the summer of 1990 the Open Canoe Sailing Group came into being with the publishing of dates for meets and a regular monthly newsletter.   It was formed to serve the needs and wishes of its members and foster interest in canoe sailing.  Although it is really a national "club" for like-minded people, members are keen for it to remain informal, relaxed and sociable with any seriousness and over-competitiveness often treated with gentle teasing.  Nevertheless, those members who are so inclined both race and cruise seriously.

It would be reasonable to say that the Group's activities in these first ten years have been a significant influence on the development of canoe and rig design, together with appropriate equipment as well as skills both for extended cruising and racing performance. The Group encourages newcomers to the activity and provides a meeting point for the hundred or so members to exchange ideas.  It affiliated to the British Canoe Union in 1995.

Meets are arranged in many different parts of the country in an attempt to provide a variety of experience and a 'local' venue for as many canoe-sailors as possible.  Meets happen about every month from April to October; Saturdays tend to be cruises while races are usually on Sundays.

OCSG events are primarily social with the competitive aspect providing a talking point for some and, just as importantly, a testing ground for new ideas and developments.  Sailing abilities and experience have been raised by our light-hearted competition and, while certainly not the sole intent of the OCSG, racing does provide an important disciplined situation helping to improve skills which can often be directly transferred to other occasions.

The group is financed by membership subscriptions.  A monthly newsletter (The Gossip) Link to a PDF of Gossip July 2005 or Dec 2007 is published and carries meet reports, cruising news, notification of meetings etc and many items of general and technical interest to the canoe sailor.

Many members have made long expeditions, on the sea as well as on more sheltered waters.  A number of sailing-canoes are frequently paddled and can be found on river trips (without their sailing rigs!)  Consequently a feature of many boats is that their paddling capability is not jeopardised and their fitting-out, even for sailing, is of a non-invasive nature.

With the maxim of the canoe-sailor being “Sail when you can and paddle when you must” the Open Canoe really is a boat for all seasons!

For a printable membership form click here.
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