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==Club Racing and Open Events==
==Club Racing and Open Events==
There is organised fleet racing on Sundays for [[Laser (dinghy)|Lasers]], [[Solo (dinghy)|Solos]] and [[Flying Fifteen]]s in addition to Slow and Fast Handicap fleets. Other classes of boats regularly sailed at the club include the [[RS200 (dinghy)|RS200]], [[RS400]], [[Laser 2000]], [[Topper (dinghy)|Topper]], [[Optimist (dinghy)|Optimist]] and [[Enterprise (dinghy)|Enterprise]].
There is organised fleet racing on Sundays for [[Laser (dinghy)|Lasers]], [[Solo (dinghy)|Solos]] and [[Flying Fifteen]]s in addition to Slow and Fast Handicap fleets. Other classes of boats regularly sailed at the club include the [[RS400]], [[Topper (dinghy)|Topper]], [[Optimist (dinghy)|Optimist]] and [[Enterprise (dinghy)|Enterprise]] dinghies.


BVSC hosts a number of inland open meetings each year including events for [[Solo (dinghy)|Solos]], [[Phantom (sailboat)|Phantoms]], [[Comet (Racing Dinghy)|Comets]], [[Laser 2000]]s, [[Laser Vago]]s, [[Wanderer (sailing dinghy)|Wanderer]]s, [[Flying Fifteen]]s and the [http://ukwindsurfing.com/information/regions/london/ London Windsurf Association].
The club also has active [[Optimist (dinghy)|Optimist]] and [[RS Feva]] fleets with several youth members sailing competitively at a regional and national level.


==General Sailing==
BVSC also hosts a number of inland open meetings each year including events for [[Solo (dinghy)|Solos]], [[Phantom (sailboat)|Phantoms]], [[Enterprise (dinghy)|Enterprises]], [[Laser (dinghy)|Lasers]], [[Comet (Racing Dinghy)|Comets]], [[Laser 2000]]s, [[Laser Vago]]s, [[Wanderer (sailing dinghy)|Wanderer]]s, [[Flying Fifteen]]s and the [http://ukwindsurfing.com/information/regions/london/ London Windsurf Association].
In addition to general sailing on Saturdays and Sundays, the club is open on Wednesday evenings from May to August and on each of the four summer Bank Holiday Mondays. During the month of August, the club house is open every day and safety boat cover is provided except during Youth Week during which there is no club sailing for ordinary members. Members also organise Away Cruises on tidal waters such as to [[Bradwell on Sea|Bradwell]] in [[Essex]]. The Midweekers, an informal group of members meet each Wednesday to sail or take part in another outdoor activity.


==General Sailing and Social Events==
==Discontinued Social Events==
BVSC Family Week ran for more than 20 years. Each summer some 250 family members (in several instances spanning three generation) used to camp onsite during the first week of the school holidays at the end of July. Like the SCAMPS (Sailing and Camping) Weekends which has alos been discontinued, Family Week was organised voluntarily by club members and offered a full programme of water and land based activities including evening entertainment in the club house. In October 2011, club officials agreed a deal to forfeit the club's entitlement in its lease to use the camping field so that mobile homes for rent could be located on it.
In addition to general sailing on Saturdays and Sundays, the club is open on Wednesday evenings from May to August and on each of the four summer Bank Holiday Mondays. During the month of August, the club house is open every day and safety boat cover is provided for club members except during Youth Week when there is no club sailing. Subject to a level of sailing competence being demonstrated i.e. Club Competent Helm Certificate, sailing is allowed outside the designated times for members aged 16 and over.

BVSC Family Week involving 250 campers takes place each year in the last week of July. Like the SCAMPS (Sailing and Camping) Weekends, Family Week is organised by club members and offers a full programme of water and land based activities including evening entertainment in the club house.

Members also organise Away Cruises on tidal waters such as to [[Bradwell on Sea|Bradwell]] in [[Essex]]. The Midweekers, an informal group of members meet each Wednesday to sail or take part in another outdoor activity.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 19:28, 25 January 2012

0 0 0 0 114 100 csupload 18422677
Membership 927 (2011-12)
1,151 (2010-11)
Location Bewl Water, Lamberhurst
Near Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN3 8JH
Country  United Kingdom
Commodore Mike Wilcock
Website http://www.bewlvalleysc.co.uk

Bewl Valley Sailing Club (BVSC) is a sailing dinghy and windsurfing club that currently has approximately 920 full members (1,400 capacity). It is affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association and a registered RYA Training Centre. The club organises safety boat cover for sailing and windsurfing every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. The purpose-built water sports club house is owned by Southern Water and its facilities are shared with Bewl Bridge Rowing Club and Bewl Canoe Club. In July 2010, BVSC was awarded £10,000 [1] by Sport England that was to be spent towards purchasing new training dinghies.

In recent years, the reservoir water level has fallen below 50% full for 4-5 months each year reaching a minimum 30-35% capacity which makes launching and recovery difficult for some classes of boats and can cause problems for organising club racing. At any level below about 60% full, two of the three slipways are no longer usable since they do not reach the edge of the water.

Location

The club is situated at Bewl Water on the north side of the reservoir near Lamberhurst, Kent and offers members up to 700 acres of sailing area if all of the estauries and inlets are included. Most members sail in the 200-250 acre area south of the club house and launch slipways. The surrounding Kent High Weald countryside is part of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The water offers one of the few large recreational open spaces in south east England located in a tranquil setting where there is virtually no background traffic noise. It can be accessed from the A21

History

Bewl Valley Sailing Club was founded in 1967 but no sailing took place until 1977 due to Bewl Water reservoir being under construction, lined with clay and then filled from the River Medway and local bore holes. In 2008, the Mariners of Bewl (MOB), an integrated sailing club for the physically disabled and able bodied elected to combine with Bewl Valley Sailing Club.[2]

Club Racing and Open Events

There is organised fleet racing on Sundays for Lasers, Solos and Flying Fifteens in addition to Slow and Fast Handicap fleets. Other classes of boats regularly sailed at the club include the RS400, Topper, Optimist and Enterprise dinghies.

BVSC hosts a number of inland open meetings each year including events for Solos, Phantoms, Comets, Laser 2000s, Laser Vagos, Wanderers, Flying Fifteens and the London Windsurf Association.

General Sailing

In addition to general sailing on Saturdays and Sundays, the club is open on Wednesday evenings from May to August and on each of the four summer Bank Holiday Mondays. During the month of August, the club house is open every day and safety boat cover is provided except during Youth Week during which there is no club sailing for ordinary members. Members also organise Away Cruises on tidal waters such as to Bradwell in Essex. The Midweekers, an informal group of members meet each Wednesday to sail or take part in another outdoor activity.

Discontinued Social Events

BVSC Family Week ran for more than 20 years. Each summer some 250 family members (in several instances spanning three generation) used to camp onsite during the first week of the school holidays at the end of July. Like the SCAMPS (Sailing and Camping) Weekends which has alos been discontinued, Family Week was organised voluntarily by club members and offered a full programme of water and land based activities including evening entertainment in the club house. In October 2011, club officials agreed a deal to forfeit the club's entitlement in its lease to use the camping field so that mobile homes for rent could be located on it.

References

  1. ^ Sport England OnBoard Community Participation Drive
  2. ^ Y&Y, Yachts and Yachting magazine