Southwold Sailing Club is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty at Southwold Harbour, approx. one mile from the mouth of the River Blyth on the Suffolk Coast.

The objective of the club is to promote and provide facilities for coastal sailing.

The club has approx 150 members who include: dinghy, cruiser and power boat sailors with skill levels ranging from complete novice to very experienced (new members are always welcome).

The amenities at Southwold include visitors moorings, local shops and a wide selection of pubs and restaurants.

Extensive boatbuilding and marine engineering facilities are also available locally.

The sailing programme features regular Sunday offshore racing for dinghies over courses ranging from approx. 2 to 10 miles and longer passage making races ranging from approximately 10 to 100 miles for cruisers.

The dinghy fleet comprises a wide range of craft from Javelins, Picos and Mirrors to Hobi Cats and Laser 4000s.

The cruiser fleet includes both lightweight cruiser-racers and heavy displacement cruisers ranging in size from 7m to 15m.

The dinghy and cruiser races which are conducted under RYA Rules are open to all classes and handicaps are applied by the Racing and Handicaps Committee in line with the Portsmouth Yardstick Ratings.

The dinghy races are keenly contested but in the case of the cruisers a more ‘laid back’ style is the norm – sitting on the windward rail is much too uncomfortable.

The following events are regular features of the sailing programme:

  • White Hart River Races,
  • Sizewell Dinghy and Cruiser Races,
  • Spring, Summer & Autumn series
  • Barnard Buoy Dinghy and Cruiser Races
  • Pursuit Race
  • Town Race
  • Gabbard Grail Cruiser Race
  • John Leach Memorial Trophy Southwold to Ostend Cruiser Race
  • Suffolk Americas Cup Cruiser Relay Race.
  • Spring and Summer regattas.
In addition the Club hosts larger sailing events such as, National and European Championships, Open meetings, Gaffer meets and races.
We also welcome visiting yachts and yacht groups from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and from round the UK.