Activities
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Afloat
Sunday sailing and boating
Throughout the spring, summer and early autumn we have a programme of Sunday sailing and boating, giving members a chance to try out SGBA club boats, or use their own boats in a friendly supervised environment. A safety boat will be operating and a Shore Monitor checks that members enjoy their time on the water safely. If using a club boat, you'll need to book it through the calendar on the SGBA website. Session times are tide dependant and so vary from week to week.
The Shore Monitor is responsible for ensuring that a safety boat is on the water and for keeping track of who is out in which dinghy. Despite this, members remain responsible for their own safety at all times and should participate within their personal competency given the weather and tidal conditions on the day. Non-sailing parents/carers of children taking part in Sunday sailing and boating must remain by the clubhouse. Everyone on the water as part of the club event must wear a buoyancy aid at all times and wear clothing suited to the weather and water temperature. Please note to take part in an SBGA club boat you must have paid the annual boat use fee.
From time-to-time SGBA instructors are also available to provide coaching and to provide inductions for the use of club boats - please book these in advance of the session.
Volunteering to help with Sunday sailing and boating
Each Sunday sailing session needs three volunteers: a Shore Monitor, a Safety Boat Helm and a Safety Boat Crew. We are often short of volunteers, so please check the duty roster to volunteer for a session. It is a great way to meet people and enjoy being by or on the river. See downloads at the bottom of this page for details of the roles. Members are reminded that the Safety Boat Helm for an event must have PB2.
Junior sailing courses
The SGBA Junior Sailing Courses are an opportunity for your child to learn to sail, whilst having a huge amount of fun on the river. Children will develop water confidence and river safety, and may also get a sailing qualification (RYA Stage 1-4 depending upon ability).
Other training
See RYA Training pages for details.
Regatta
Towards the middle of September every year, the SGBA holds its annual regatta. A day of dinghy, kayak and rowing racing, the regatta is the culmination of the year's Sunday sailing sessions. The main event is a race up and down the river off Mill Point for the dinghies and keel boats. Everyone can enter in their own boat or in a club boat.
Paddle to the Pub
Regular oars and paddles events are organised throughout the season, either up or down river depending on tides, giving the opportunity to explore our beautiful river, in a group and usually involving a visit to a pub, or a stop to BBQ enroute. Destinations include Tuckenhay, Sharpham, Totnes, Dittisham and Dartmouth.
Other water-based activities
Members often ask about different things they'd like to see happen: more formal racing, canoeing, rowing, etc.
Is there something you'd like the club to organise? Do you want to organise it or be part of the organising team?
If you have any ideas you'd like to discuss, let us know - it would be good to have some more events and more members involved.
Ashore
Social Activities
The SGBA is as much a social club for members as a serious boating association. Our members enjoy meeting for sailing events in the summer and shore based activities in the winter months. These range from interesting and informative talks to just plain fun, like the Ceilidh, and BBQ's. See calendar for details.
The social programme is co-ordinated by the Social Secretary. If you have any suggestions for future events; if you are able to help organise events or if you simply want more information about a forthcoming event, please contact the Social Secretary.
Note: The post of social secretary is currently vacant. Please contact the commodore if you'd like to help out.
Sociable sailing
Throughout the summer, a programme of waterside events keeps sailors and non-sailors busy. During Sunday sailing the club is always busy and can be a great way to socialise and meet members ashore. On selected Sundays the club organises bring-you-own-food BBQs.
Working parties
A couple of times a year the SGBA organises volunteer days when members and their families join us to clear up the foreshore, help improve the club's facilities or provide labour on a building job. Volunteers are often rewarded with lunch or afternoon tea ... when we get our act together.
Village events
Stoke Gabriel is a thriving village with a busy, active social calendar and the SGBA contributes to this with our shore based activities. In recent years we have organised waterborne treasure hunts, Parish litter picks, the Middle Back Bash/cricket match and numerous topical Winter Talks. During Carnival Week, towards the end of July, we organise an SGBA carnival float and the Millpool Challenge.
If you have any ideas or requests for other types of social events, do contact the social secretary. We're keen that there is something for everyone and for all ages, so if you think you are missing out just let us know.
Last updated 14:15 on 20 June 2023