About Henley Sailing Club
Henley Sailing Club is a small, family-friendly sailing club set on a picturesque stretch of the river Thames.
The club was formed in 1896 when, at the suggestion of Dr W. H Macpherson, a few gentlemen met at Cordery’s Boat Yard, Shiplake. As a result, a small Sailing Club was formed which was named The Henley and Shiplake Sailing Association and the first set of Rules was drafted. At the end of the year the Club numbered 22 Members, all of whom owned and sailed boats.
In 1897 the name of the Club was changed to The Henley Sailing Club, the present Club Burgee was adopted, based on the burgee of the then defunct Erith Yacht Club, and the first Club Cup, presented by Mr H N. Chapman, was sailed for.
We race on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, in a variety of dinghies and find the river often provides interesting winds and challenging conditions. We also hold fun sailing days and offer an excellent social calendar for sailors and non-sailors alike, with BBQs, camping, suppers and Sunday afternoon tea on the lawn.
Novice and expert, young and old, and the rusty are welcome to join the club and to borrow one of the club’s dinghies, free of charge. Our more experienced sailors run an in-house coaching programme and when you are ready to race, there are special races for juniors, lady helms and novices.
The club’s facilities include a clubhouse with a fully equipped kitchen, a furnished lounge area with panoramic windows overlooking the river, and a small bar for relaxing with a drink after sailing. To the outside there are attractive riverside lawns, changing rooms with hot showers, boat store and car parks.
