Welcome to
Medley Sailing Club
COVID-19
Following the government’s announcement on outdoor activities on 10 May 2020, dinghy sailing is now allowed, as long as the relevant authority permits it on their waterways.
The Environment Agency, which controls the Thames, now says: 'In line with the updated government guidance issued on 10 May, non-powered water sports... can resume.’
HOWEVER, constraints remain in place regarding physical distancing, numbers of people exercising together, and strict hygiene to avoid transmitting infection via surfaces. The club will therefore not be open to non-members for the time being.
The Medley committee has worked on a risk assessment and a plan for opening the club to individual members who wish to take their boats out. You may go to the club to sail from SATURDAY 23 MAY (not before), by which time signage and other measures will have been put in place to keep you safe.
All sailing, as usual, is AT HELMSMAN’S OWN RISK. The service launch is not in use, and the duty rota is suspended.
We have issued guidelines for the use of the club from 23 May. PLEASE READ THESE CAREFULLY, and obey all instructions either on this list or on signs you will find up around the compound.
As usual, please pay particular attention to security and do not leave the club unlocked while you are on the water if no one else is on the site.
We are reviewing these measures regularly and will update the guidelines accordingly.
*News: Racing resumes on 18 October, with the first of the Autumn Pursuit series. A slimmed down rota of volunteers has been organised for OD and launch duties. All COVID guidelines still apply, and there will be no catering.
All best and happy sailing!
The Club
We are a family friendly dinghy sailing club within walking distance of the centre of Oxford.
We sail on the river Thames, between Rainbow Bridge at Medley and Godstow lock at Wolvercote, with racing from March to November on Sunday afternoons, and on Wednesday evenings from May to September.
There are about 120 members and about 85 boats in the club. Last year almost half the boats were raced; much higher than the national average. We also run a number of social events. Members are encouraged to take part in the club’s activities, including an early introduction into the running of sailing events.
There is an annual regatta, and social events throughout the year. Open days are held most years in May or June.
Club boats
The club has 6 boats available for use by members, for a nominal fee:
a Topper;
2 Optimists;
a British Moth;
an Enterprise;
a Gull
Members are welcome to use these boats at any time. There is also the opportunity to ‘Adopt a Topper’, whereby a member can pay for the insurance and River licence for a topper and have exclusive use of it for the year.
Fleets
There are 3 main Racing fleets – British Moth, Fast, and Slow.
British Moths are the largest fleet, with currently almost 30 of the single-handed 11ft dinghies, and around 12 sailing regularly. This is the biggest Moth fleet in the UK and Medley runs an annual Moth open meeting which attracts a number of sailors from other clubs.
Fast – Enterprises, Lasers, and Merlins mainly make up the Fast fleet, with 4-6 Enterprises racing regularly.
Slow – Herons, Toppers and Mirror dinghies are the mainstay of the Slow fleet, and the Club is particularly keen to encourage members, especially youngsters, to take up sailing in this fleet.
Contact us
Email us: Membership Secretary | Racing Secretary | Commodore
Write to us: Medley Sailing Club, The Towpath, Binsey, Oxford, OX2 0NJ
In person: Pop along one Sunday afternoon (March to November) and ask for a committee member. The club is near Bossom's boatyard, downstream from the Perch Inn and the village of Binsey.