Covid-19 forced Eyott Sailing Club in South Woodham Ferrers to reschedule its 70th anniversary celebrations in June 2020, but the club remains true to the spirit of its founding members: “Competitive on the water, best friends on the land, welcoming to visitors and there is nothing that can’t be put right over a cup of tea!” says Vice-Commodore Gareth Lewis.
“The club is a very relaxed environment with regular RYA handicap dinghy racing during the season. The twists and turns of the creek combine with the tidal flow to challenge all levels of sailing ability whilst providing a safe learning environment for inexperienced members,” says Gareth. “In recent years we also have added membership for canoes, kayaks and paddleboarders to keep up with modern trends on the water.”
The racing season at Eyott runs from March to October and forms the mainstay of the club’s on-the-water activity. This racing aims to be accessible to all taking part – even a novice sailor can expect to finish one of his or her first races despite being in the same race as highly skilled helms in considerably faster boats. “Eyott is a particularly safe venue to learn to sail,” says Gareth. “The water is almost always flat, the shore is never far away and you don’t have to worry about being swept out to sea.
“If you’ve raced a sailing dinghy before then Eyott is a bit of a special venue. The races normally involve sailing from the start line at the club house in the narrow Fenn Creek, with its more shifty winds and short tacking, out to the broader River Crouch where the wind becomes stronger but steadier. giving a range of conditions in the same race. In the main river the tide is strong enough to affect decisions on the best route to take to the next mark. Typically we have one race per day which lasts for 80 minutes.”
Eyott Week is the club’s annual racing week and is open to visitors with dinghies of 13ft or less. The week runs from a Monday to Friday in August, with social events held most evenings. Crabbing, a treasure hunt, quiz and a BBQ and prize giving on the Friday evening make it fun for all ages, and the week regularly attracts visitors from other local clubs, making the front of the fleet competitive.
“Of course, being a member of Eyott isn’t just about the sailing,” says Gareth. The proximity of the river, south-facing aspect and enclosed grounds makes Eyott a safe location for families. “There’s a social side to the club as well," says Gareth. "We run various types of events throughout the year including Chines /Indian/fish and chips take-away nights, quizzes and BBQs at the club house and our more formal end of season dinner in November. The first event of the year is the ‘At Home’ food evening held at a member’s house, normally the Commodore."