About SSC

Shropshire Sailing Club has been located on the northern shore of Whitemere since 1950. It aims to provide affordable access to the sport for beginners, keen racers and those who just enjoy "messing about in boats". Located just outside Ellesmere off the A528 at Spunhill, the club and its members are very proud and cherish the recognition afforded to the location of Site of Special Scientific Interest and being part of the Cheshire and Shropshire Meres Ramsar Wetland.

We are in the exciting position of moving to a brand-new purpose-built clubhouse that overlooks our sailing water. This houses our changing and toilet facilities together with galley, training, and club room.

There is onshore berthing for over 150 members' boats within a short walk of a launching point. There are two large jetties for the use of dinghy sailors, one of which can also be used by keel boats. Members have access to the club at any time but may only sail when there is a safety boat on the water with a competent driver. Visitors can be signed in but there are limits to the number of visitors at any one time and to the number of times any one person may visit in a year.

Dinghy Classes

There are many dinghy classes sailed in the UK but racing against other boats of the same design is more fun and class members can provide mutual support as well as a common interest. The club's most popular classes are Flying Fifteen, Laser and 2000 (previously known as the Laser 2000). More recently the RS200, Supernova and Wayfarer have become popular. However, we do have a wide range of other boats as well. The preferred junior/youth classes are RS Feva, Laser Radial and 4.7, Laser Pico, Topper, and RS Tera.

Club Boats

Club boats can be hired by members throughout the year. The only time they are not all available is when they are being used for RYA Training Courses, Junior Days (RS Feva, Laser Picos, Toppers, and RS Teras) and some special events (e.g. Campover Weekend). A hire session is morning (before 13:00), afternoon (13:00 to 17:00) or evening (after 17:00).

Members are advised to book boats to avoid disappointment. On Sundays a boat can, be booked for all races as a single hire session. There is an on-line booking system that allows members to book and pay for a boat on the web and you are expected to book a boat BEFORE you rig it so that there is no chance of double booking.

Safety Boats

The club has four safety boats that members can use after successfully completing a RYA Powerboat Level 2 training course. Two are kept on the water in the boathouse the other two are stored under cover, launched from road trailers, and are used on busy days and for training courses. Races are run from "Charity II", the club's committee boat.

Training

Training forms an integral part of the sailing at our Club. We offer RYA training courses in dinghies and Flying Fifteen keelboats, Catering for junior, youth and adults from beginner level to seamanship courses. We can also provide RYA Powerboat Level 2 and Safety Boat courses when interest is expressed.