Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2010 | Page 48

life

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

February/March 2010

PHOTO: Wednesday evening racing aboard the old gaffer ‘Iseult’

Happy days and warm friendships
at the Royal Solent Yacht Club
By David Conisbee

When my wife and I bought a little

Pouilly Fuissé burgundy. It was a perfect,

racing on Wednesday evenings, followed

cottage in the West Wight, we were

sunny Saturday with just a hint of breeze

by a relaxed and convivial supper, a

invited by our new neighbours to an open

pushing the weekend sailors gently on

lovely mid-week interval. Whatever your

day lunch at the Royal Solent Yacht Club

their way. I thought, “it really doesn’t get

experience and ability level, there are

in Yarmouth. I imagined that it would be

much better than this”.

always crew places on offer with some of

a rather staid and imposing place, where

It took no persuasion at all for us to join

the nicest people you might care to meet.

people in white hats and reefers would be

as members, along with our six year old

looking down their noses at any potential

daughter Lucy-Kate who loves the water

well-connected enthusiasts in the summer

newcomers. Nothing could have been

and is itching to learn to sail herself.

of 1878 to promote both their passion

further from the truth. The welcome we

My wife Jo was already a keen sailor,

for yachting and the social graces

were given was warm, enthusiastic and

and, although a little apprehensive at

associated with the pastime in those days.

genuine. Indeed, we were surprised to see

first, I was keen to give it a try myself.

Respectful of the club’s rich heritage,

many people we already knew relaxing

A host of generous invitations, from

proud history and expected decorum,

in the bar and enjoying the incredible

erstwhile strangers, came my way to

the membership now draws from a wider

views across The Solent. Lunch was

join them for a club race or a simple

social spectrum, members involved in

delicious and impeccably served, local

jaunt and I was immediately hooked.

both waterborne activity and other social

sea bass washed down with a crisp, dry

From April to September there is club

engagement. Besides the extensive sailing

48

The club was founded by a dozen

Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com