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The NSSA was formed in the Sixties following a meeting at the Institute of Education in 1961 - reported in the Times Educational Supplement of January 13th 1961 (Click to view report). Sailing at this time was done in boats with cotton sails wearing Kapok lifejackets. We soon saw Yellow plastic oilskins (they even produced yellow plastic waterproof shorts) and the introduction of the British Standard lifejacket. NSSA was at the centre of many developments.
The first regatta was held in Northamptonshire - originating from informal gatherings at Grendon Hall.
The first Regatta was held in 1962 and the first Owen Aisher Week (now the Presidents Award) was held in 1963 (view report) An international Regatta for Schools was held at Pitsford in 1964 (view Programme) and (see the video) and the NSSA was involved from 1966 in the development of the International School Sailing. It was also very involved with the establishment of the National Sailing Centre in Cowes in the mid Sixties.
In 1965 the first NSSA Handbook was published listing the members of local associations and the boats they owned and a Portsmouth Yardstick list split by Cotton and Terylene sails. It also noted the discussions on buoyancy aids and concerns about teachers volunteering.
A training Scheme developed and there were close relations with the Department for Education and Science (DES). A National Sailing Centre was established in Cowes and The original RYA Coach (The late Bob Bond) was part funded by the DES and was appointed in 1969 to administer a joint RYA/NSSA Training Scheme.
Broadsheets and AGM Reports were published which enable you to follow the progress and can be seen by clicking on the links in the table AGM Reports for 1961-66 are in one document Click Here to read
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