Orford Sailing Club
About us

Orford Sailing Club

OSC clubhouse and pontoon

Orford Sailing Club is a friendly open club for sailors of all abilities, with a membership of about 500. We are based on the Suffolk Coast, in the picturesque village of Orford within sight of the famous medieval castle. The club offers good facilities and an active dinghy and cruiser sailing programme.

The local waters are the challenging tidal Alde/Ore estuary, and most sailing takes place there, with some sea races for added spice. Membership is made up of all ages with a strong junior presence and many families. The club is run for its members by its members and during the busy summer season of racing, members participate in a variety of roles from Officer of the Day through Rescue Crew to making the teas.

The club is situated on the foreshore of the River Ore close to Orford Quay. The River Ore-Alde is a tidal estuary providing over 15 miles of sheltered sailing water, and it is accessible at Orford in all states of the tide. It is possible to sail up the Alde past Aldeburgh (5 miles by river, 12 miles by road) as far as Snape Maltings (a further 5 miles by river beyond Aldeburgh). Down-river, the Ore runs parallel to the coast for 5 miles, passing both sides of Havergate Island (the bird sanctuary) entering the North Sea at Shingle Street. Butley River with its oyster beds leads off the Ore inland.

The sailing club has over 270 subscribing members (about 580 people in all). Its premises are a purpose-built Clubhouse, containing a clubroom with tea making facilities, changing rooms with showers and a race officers' bridge. The dinghy park fronts onto the river, with a concrete ramp giving access at all states of the tide and there is a pontoon which dries out at low water. Locked storage for oars, outboard motors and petrol is available. There is also supplementary storage for some yacht tenders in a covered (but flooding!) shed on the quay. The club has no moorings available itself; application should be made to the New Orford Town Trust.

It is a family orientated, friendly club which conducts its business with a minimum of formality. Most of the work of running it is done by its members. Tasks such as helping with the maintenance of the Clubhouse and dinghy park, administration of races, manning the rescue boat and catering for race day teas and club parties are carried out by members on a rota basis. Training for rescue boat manning and race officer duties is provided. Great emphasis is placed upon safety and seamanship and the Club is a RYA Training Centre, running regular dinghy and powerboat courses.

The Club's activities centre around racing on Sundays from May to mid-November, with mid-week racing in July and August. The main racing dinghies are Wayfarers, Mirrors and Fevas, plus general handicap and fast handicap classes. Children's racing, in Mirror and Feva dinghies, takes place three times a week throughout the summer holidays. There are also sea races and cruises in company, and occasional races for 10 Footers, Dayboats and Cruisers.

Membership

Classes of membership are: Single, Double, Family (including children under 18 or in full-time education), Junior (under 18) and Young Person (former family members out of full-time education, up to 25), Overseas and Dormant. Further details are available on the membership page.

Those interested in membership are welcome to visit the club, or indeed, to crew for members. Application forms for membership are available from the Secretary. In considering applications, the Committee may give priority to those who are keen to participate in racing an appropriate class and will also take into account readiness to support the Club's sailing, social and general activities.

Orford Sailing Club About us