Reports on Langstone Sailing Club visit - Sat 14 December

[Mark Taylor]

Dear Memebers,
Today, fifteen of our rowers took two boats to Langstone Sailing Club (LSC). This  followed the open invitation for all to come and see what facilities exist at LSC.

The aim of the visit was to look at LSC facilities, such as car parking space, club facilities, where Rowing boats and trailers would be stored. To see the proposed location for the 40 foot container to work on boats under cover and store our rowing parafinalia. We also experienced the use of slipway and pontoon and took a boat over the road to launch directly into Chichester Harbour.

 I understand it can be a busy time of year, it would have been great if more rowers had turned up. However, those who visited LSC tody have agreed to post their views and opinions of what was experienced so that the wider membership have a greater understanding of what LSC is like:

[Vernon Seddon]

Thank you for arranging for us to look round the sailing club this morning Mark. It was interesting to see the facilities that they have, the proposed area for us to keep our boats and the container for our equipment and also what launching and recovery would be like should the club decide in the future that a move would be in the best interests of the club. Obviously these facilities would be an improvement on what we currently have. The members we met were all very welcoming and answered our questions openly and left me with the impression we would be very welcome.

[Lesley Grainger]

Thanks for organising Mark.

Overall I found it to be a positive experience and can see many advantages to move there. It was easy to launch and recover and plenty of room for all our boats and assets plus being able to park. The 40ft container would be great addition to maintain our boats and store equipment.

The clubhouse is comfortable and has beautiful views. It would certainly be a good place to relax after a row. The bar can be opened by a bar trained member when we take 25 or more out. The Galley looks well stocked and clean and tidy.

It is good that there are showers downstairs and the facilities are good too.

As with other sailing clubs there would be a commitment to undertake duties but I don't see that as negative.

For me to be 100% behind this I would not want to lose the unique Cutters vibe and inclusivity as that is what drew me to the club in the first place. I would need to be assured that we can protect that. However, I appreciate that will be largely down to members.

How much say would we have and how would it be managed?  I would also want to understand the legalities of such a move and and how it affects our assets.

It was nice to go for a row after too.

[Jenny Myles]

Thank you for organising this Mark.

We met with 4 people from the sailing club, they were all very welcoming, friendly and happy to  answer all our questions.
I was impressed with the amount of thought their club has put in to accommodating us and our boats / trailers / equipment should we agree to join them. They showed us a very large area that would accommodate all our boats and trailers easily. There is also a water tap next to that area for cleaning the boats down.
We were shown where a 40ft container would be housed, that would be purchased by the sailing club for us to house all of our equipment and could be used for maintenance of the boats; this would also have electricity supplied.
We rowed 2 boats to the sailing club, 1 arriving at the slipway and the other to the pontoon, both done with ease. The slipway goes out a significant distance that would allow rowing several hours before and
beyond high tide. It is thought that for neap tides it might be possible to launch at low tide.
We took a boat across the road to see if this would work if required. I was slightly nervous of this prospect at first, but actually it was no problem at all.
We were shown the ribs, the jeep the launches all of which we could have use of if needed (Obviously can only be used by someone qualified and competent to use them).
There is also plenty of parking. In Summer time when the club would be busier there would still be significant space for parking on the grassy area (that houses the dinghies over winter). There is also an option to camp / stay in camper/motor homes overnight. There is even electric hook up for a small fee.
We were shown the changing rooms and toilet facilities. We all went up to the club room where we made ourselves coffee using the kitchen facility. The bar area can be opened up when there is a trained bar member of staff available.
Big thank you to Langstone Sailing Club for giving up their time for us to look around and try this out for our club.

[Karen Bakovljev]

I found the visit to the Sailing Club very valuable. I was particularly impressed with the amount of space set aside for our boats and equipment. Mooring and launching the boats from the club wasn't difficult, although the day was beautiful and calm. I can see that launching on the otherside of the road can be hazardous but have been assured by Geoff we won't need to do this as when the wind is so strong we don't row. Having the pontoon was a useful addition. Thank you Mark for organising the visit and to the members of the sailing club making us welcome.

[Alan Harding]

Thanks, Mark & LSC for organising.  We know there is not an urgent need to move from our current location yet! However, this to me seems a fantastic opportunity to take our club to greater things, which would be a crying shame to miss!
The basics which we currently lack are there. Toilets, Parking, Greater tidal window access to the water, facilities to look after our boats and a Clubhouse, with club house price drinks, where we can enhance the club’s spirit as you wish!
It’s the active members which make the club what it is, wherever we are!

[Mo Evans]

Everyone has set out all the positive points above that I would make, and I fully support all that has been said. Mark has been tasked with investigating this attractive option for the future of LCRC, and the people at LSC have proved to be very welcoming, helpful, friendly and generous in their response.

The ability to arrange rows a good 4 hours before and up to 4 hours after high water,  with further options at neaps, would encourage us all to use our boats more frequently than is possible currently.  Having excellent club facilities would give members  the opportunity to get together and socialise easily, arrange social events, and, to join in with social events and activities that the club arranges for members already. Having experienced the reaction of current sailing club members at ESSC, I believe that non sailing members of the sailing club, would be interested in learning to row, boosting our own active numbers, and encouraging further use of our craft.  

Being based at LSC would give us the ability to hold regattas and events utilising the patrol boats and clubhouse, having a base from which to run them, something that is impossible for us currently.   LCRC members are invited to take part in regattas and events in other clubs in the harbour.  We use their facilities, and comment on how lovely it is to have a bar and catering facilities when we take part in events. We cannot reciprocate, and being based at LSC would give us that opportunity.

Thank you Mark for the work you have put into this far, and thanks also to the representatives from LSC, who could not have been more friendly and helpful.



 

[Chris Waterworth]

        As a relatively new member of LCRC  I agree with the comments already made by other members who visited the LSC on Saturday. My purely personal reasons are:

1. parking: as I travel a relatively long distance compared to many members and to know there is a guaranteed parking space on arrival is a big plus.
2. facilities: I can’t just pop home in 5mins to get changed and relax. The toilet/shower room, galley/bar would be very useful.
3. ease of getting boats in/out of the water on a well graded long slipway or pontoon + extra time rowing.

I understand members worry that the ethos and vibe of LCRC would change. We are still the same people and variety of personalities in a location less than 1/2 mile away. The boats can better maintained and repaired. For me the subscription increase is minimal compared to all the advantages gained.
As we would be at a sailing club site, who probably have quite a number of young members, it may help to encourage some to try rowing. Which can only be a positive for the club.

[Sue Loveridge]

We had great hospitality from Langstone Sailing Club and we saw all the facilities that other respondents have noted.
Whilst it would be good to have the safe storage, parking and somewhere to refurbish the boats, I think our club has something special and would not like to lose that by amalgamating with another club. We still have use of our little boat park for the foreseeable future.  For me it is a difficult decision to make.
Thank you Mark and Langstone Sailing Club for giving us the opportunity to make a more informed decision.