BRIEF CLUB HISTORY.

The Club was inaugurated on the 14th. December, 1933, and the objectives of the Club were to:-

a) foster small boat sailing and racing, and to bring it within the reach of those of limited means.

b) To promote sporting and recreational intercourse without political objective.

c) To maintain a Clubhouse and to supply to Members of the Club, food and refreshments, including wines, spirits and intoxicating liquors.

These objectives still hold good to this day.

The original subscription was one shilling a week, and this was used to maintain the fleet of then borrowed dinghies. So, thus, was started the first winter sailing club in the Country.

The early races were started from a railway embankment, and as such a motley collection of dinghies took part, were sailed on an handicap basis.

In 1936 the Club was responsible for reviving the Coldham Hall Regatta, which had lapsed for some 20 years. The Regatta is still sailed today, and the Club takes a very active part in both the sailing, organisation and management of the event.

In 1938 the present site was leased and the first Boat Sheds were erected.

At the outbreak of war the Club went into abeyance, but the threads were soon picked up after its end, and the present Club site was purchased on very generous terms. In 1945 the site was piled for £50. The present Clubhouse was then erected with material assistance from the Members, for the princely sum of £135. More Boat sheds were erected, and the Club was now the proud owner of its own site and Clubhouse, thought to be the only one in Broadland at the time.

In 1954 a Licensed bar was added. The Clubhouse was extended in 1958 to provide a Ladies and Gents Changing rooms. In 1962 mains water and toilet facilities were added and later in the same year the Club carpark was purchased.

To mark the 50th. Anniversary the Club President presented the Club with Dell Quay Dory to be used as a Rescue Boat. Since then more Boat sheds have been added.

The Club now boasts the largest fleet of Norfolk One design dinghies in Broadland. These boats are traditionally built craft incorporating all the boat building skills that are fast disappearing. It is a classic fleet that is raced as passionately as the best. A second fleet of more modern Enterprise dinghies provides the challenge for the younger and not so old members, their sky blue sails adding a colourful sight to the sailing and racing scene.

From such small beginnings, but with all the enthusiasm of the founder members, the Club looks forward to the centenary celebrations with the knowledge that only a flat calm or a frozen river will halt the sailing.