Sailing Activities
Welcome to the water! Whether you’re a complete novice looking to earn your first RYA certificate, a seasoned racer hunting for the perfect wind shift, or someone who simply loves the peace of being on the lake, you’ve found your crew.
At Crawley Mariners, we pride ourselves on being one of the friendliest sailing clubs in Sussex. We believe sailing is for everyone—regardless of age, ability, or boat ownership. From our beautiful home base at Hedgecourt Lake to our adventures on the open sea, here is how you can get involved.
⛵ Adult Training & Development
Start your journey or sharpen your skills.
New to sailing? You are in safe hands. We are a recognised RYA Training Centre, offering high-standard instruction in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. We don’t just hand you a manual; we get you out on the water.
- Learn the Ropes: Join our RYA Dinghy Sailing courses for beginners.
- Saturday Clubs: Informal, friendly sessions where you can practice with instructors on hand—perfect for building confidence.
- Skill Building: From Powerboat Level 2 to Navigation Theory and Safety Boat courses, we help you master every aspect of the sport.
🧒 Juniors at CMYC
Fun, friendship, and fresh air.
Our Junior section is often described as the heartbeat of the club. We don’t just teach kids to sail; we give them a lifelong passion. With activities running from March to November, there is always something happening for the younger sailors (aged 6–18).
- Junior Saturday Clubs: The perfect mix of learning and fun.
- Junior Helm Week: The highlight of the summer holidays! A week of games, sailing, and making new friends.
- Race Training: For those who want to take it to the next level, we are a British Youth Sailing Recognised Club.
🏆 Dinghy Racing
Competitive? Yes. Too serious? Never.
Racing is one of the quickest ways to improve your sailing skills, and at CMYC, we make it accessible to everyone. While we have some excellent sailors, we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
- Year-Round Racing: Events take place from late March to December.
- “Have a Go” Sessions: Never raced before? Our beginner-friendly sessions let you try it out without the pressure.
- Varied Fleets: Whether you sail a Laser, Topper, or one of our club boats, there is a start line waiting for you.
⚓ Cruising with CMYC
Sea adventures with a lake-based club.
It is rare to find an inland club with such an active sea cruising programme! If you love the idea of exploring the coast but want the safety and camaraderie of a fleet, our Cruising section is for you.
- Coastal Trips: Join us for day cruises in Chichester Harbour and the Solent.
- Cruise & Camp: Our popular “Cruise & Camp” weekends at Cobnor are fantastic for families.
- Support & Safety: Many of our cruises include support boats, making the transition from lake to sea much less daunting.
☕ Social Sailing
Relax, unwind, and sail in good company.
Not everyone wants to race, and that’s absolutely fine. Our Social Sailing sessions are all about enjoying the water at your own pace.
- Thursday Sailing: A friendly group that meets during the week for casual sailing and a chat.
- Greek Flotilla: Yes, we even organise club holidays abroad!
- Ladies’ Sailing: Supportive sessions designed to get women out on the water in a stress-free environment.
🏊 Additional Activities
More than just sailing.
We are a community that loves the water in all its forms. Even when the sails are down, the club is active.
- Open Water Swimming: Enjoy the tranquility of Hedgecourt Lake from a different perspective.
- Model Yacht Sailing: Test your tactics with our radio-controlled fleet.
- Kayaking: Instructed sessions for those who prefer paddles to sails.
- Volunteering: Join our “Tuesday Group” to help maintain our beautiful estate and meet fellow members.
Ready to get on the water?
The best way to get a feel for the club is to come and see us. We’d love to welcome you to Hedgecourt Lake.