Goring Thames Sailing Club

About Goring Thames Sailing Club

Goring Thames Sailing Club is a family orientated club situated on one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames offering interesting and varied sailing for all ages and abilities. New members, experienced or beginners are welcome.

On 19th September 1943, the first Annual General Meeting of the Goring Thames Sailing Club was held at the “Temple” boat house situated on Cleeve Reach. The meeting had been called by Mr C Austin Potter, the Chairman, to discuss the need for forming a sailing club. It was decided by the attendees to call the club “Goring Thames Sailing Club”.

The Club’s Headquarters started off at the Swan Inn, Streatley (now the prestigious Swan Hotel). The Club was also given permission to use the Temple Boathouse on Cleeve Reach as a Sailing Headquarters since it was intended that the club would sail and race on that stretch of river.

The club registered with the Thames Conservancy and the Yacht Racing Association. Strong links were established with the Royal Veterinary Colleges and RAF Benson where the club taught their member crews to sail.

In 1944 a Sailing Committee was formed to organise the busy racing schedule. They decided that Sunday afternoon racing was to be held throughout the season starting on Easter Sunday and finishing on the last Sunday in October. All races had a time limit of two hours and racing handicaps were given and revised monthly.

The club was extremely keen to promote sailing to the local people and held a “Guest Day” on the last Saturday of the month. The members took guests out for a sail in their boats and taught them how to sail if it was so wished.

Today, with a total of 350 individual members, the club organises a variety of races throughout the season (currently March-November), training events for beginners and experienced sailors, social events for juniors and adults and has an enviable set of 18 club dinghies for club members to use. A canoe storage rack is also available for use.

Junior and adult buoyancy aids and life jackets are also available for use, together with a new set of safety helmets for juniors.

The clubhouse has a well-stocked bar, a catering style kitchen that was installed in 2009, lounge area and junior snug. Separate changing rooms are equipped with hot showers. The club has 2 safety boats, 2 slipways, extensive boat parking facilities, sail loft and BBQ facilities.