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About SESCA - Information For Prospective Members
New Members Always Welcome !
What is it?
SESCA is a friendly family club for dinghy sailors, canoeists and sailboarders of all ages. It is the only sailing club in West Suffolk !
We sail at Lackford Lake which is 5 miles to the west of Bury St Edmunds on the Mildenhall Road. Sailing is on a flooded gravel pit now converted to an attractive recreational facility alongside a nature reserve and a trout fishing lake. It is on the other side of the River Lark from the West Stow Country Park and Anglo Saxon Village.
When do you sail ?
We sail from last weekend in March to the end of November with organised safety boat cover on Saturdays & Sundays from 10.00 to 18.00. Sailing can now take place at all other times under the newly adopted ‘buddy system’ (there must be two adult members on the site). The rostered safety cover does vary at the ends of the season. (See club notice board).
Is it Safe ?
There is always an element of risk in sailing, but our lake is as safe an inland water as you can hope to find. There are two rescue boats – one specifically for a youth sailing group. Sailors must always wear a buoyancy aid on the water.
What is the club like ?
The club is located on the south bank of the lake. There is a large grassed dinghy park and ample free car parking. The club provides a recently built club house with toilet and shower block which provides a mess room with veranda, kitchen facilities.
Pink Gin & Yellow Wellies ?
Definitely not ! The club is unpretentious and has no employees, which keeps subscriptions down. However it does mean that we expect members to give up to two or three days during the season to help run the club, and there is a working party on the weekend before Easter. Most members agree that this not only provides an opportunity to become more involved in the operation of the club, but also to meet and chat with other members.
Social Events on & off the water.
The club generally runs a DIY barbecue on the first Sunday of the month with fun sailing events throughout the season, and many of these have bank side activity as well – the highlight of the year being Commodores Day. We also have suppers, quiz nights and other social events. Our AGM and prize giving is held in November.
What boats do you sail ?
We are an RYA Recognised Teaching Establishment offering training to members only. We have established fleets of Larks, Toppers, Lasers, GP14’s and Enterprises, together with a handicap fleet currently including British Moth's, Mirrors, National 12’s, and Gull ’s. We can accept applications for monohull dinghies up to 4.5 metres. We have become an RYA Recognised Teaching Establishment in 2008
To slim down some of the administration involved with members taking out the club boats it has been decided to offer a permit which costs £70 this year to enable the user unlimited access on a first come basis for a years access to all of the clubs 8 boats and 2 canoes. We have a:-
GP14 good family boat
Enterprise a fast 2 man dinghy
3x Topper a single hander for children and adults
Pacer family dinghy; good topractice or learn in. ;
Mirror dinghy a good 1-2 man dinghy to learn and/or race;
laser 1 with a full rig for those feling sporty and with a radial rig for pottering.
Sit-on-Kayak 1 and 2 seater
You can still as a member hire the club boats on a daily or half daily rates but this will give you the opportunity for toughs who are starting sailing to try different dinghies out and get experience before you purchase your own.
Racing
Our racing programme runs from Easter to the end of November on Sundays. See our program for this year. Varied racing is provided in the form of class, handicap, pursuit and many novelty one of races. We also have a Frostbite Race which is held on Boxing Day with hot punch served afterwards !
Training
The club has a Training Officer and several other members are RYA instructors. The club is affiliated to the RYA and training can be organised for adults, beginners and children in your own boat or a boat belonging to a club member. There is also race training throughout the season.
What about the children ?
Within the club there are group members comprising Sea Cadets, Scouts, Guides and Young People Afloat. YPA offer weekly meetings and tuition to all levels plus RYA courses in their fleet of Optimists, Toppers and Wanderers.
Can I come and see you ?
Come and visit us on any Sunday during the sailing season. Use this map and directions to help find us. When you get there ask for the OOD (Officer of the Day).
What will it cost ?
We pride ourselves on our modest level of subscriptions which compare favourably with other clubs offering similar facilities. (Click for membership fees & to download an application form)
How to join SESCA.
Please email if you require more information or for answers to spacific questions
Please click here for a map and directions to The Club.