New Season now well underway

The New Season is now well underway and although the opening weekend wasn’t very exciting wind wise it was most certainly very pleasant to be out in the warm spring sunshine. There was a good turnout of members both on the water and in the Clubhouse. The weekend’s races (both days) were in the capable hands of OoD Alan Gaunt which meant they passed without a hitch. Phil Graham took the first race on both days. The second race on Saturday was won by Tony Langley and John Southall won the second race on Sunday.

It is always a good sight to see members bringing their boats back to the boat park after storing them in garages over the winter. Tim and his daughter brought back one of his very beautiful National 12’s and also sailed her on the water. Two other National 12 sailors have also returned after been away for more than twenty years, a very big welcome back goes out to them.

The dingy park itself is looking very smart after its tidy up during the Working Party weekends, a big thank you to everyone who helped with the working parties.  A thank you should also be said to the person who has donated, what looks very much like a National 12 mast, on which we can fly our brand new Volvo Champion Club flag.  Howard could this have been something to do with you? 

Photographs supplied by Cookridge Camera Club

Yeadon Sailing Club awarded a £500 LSF Grant

Yeadon Sailing Club is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a £500 grant by Leeds Sport Federation towards the replacement of equipment for the club sailing boats.

Yeadon Sailing Club holds regular 'Have a Go' sailing sessions on Tuesday’s throughout the sailing season and the club boats are used to support this. The sailing boats require constant maintenance and the grant will help support these sessions and ensure that they can continue to be offered for free.

Sailing club Commodore Tim Burnett stated “Sailing is not as expensive as you might think, but the club boats are under constant usage and when used for training, the equipment is subject to more wear and tear. This grant is an excellent way of the club keeping the boats in good working order so that more people can attend a Have a Go session.”

Vice Commodore Jo Lee went on to say “This is an important year for sailing with the Olympics on our doorstep, Yeadon Sailing Club will be working hard to support this with have a go sessions during the year. This grant will help us prepare for our Our Open Day on Saturday 12th May when people can come and try sailing for free under the guidance of our more experienced members.”


Yeadon Sailing Club is based at Tarn Park in Yeadon just off the High Street. It was established in 1928 and has been an important part of the community since. The club works closely with the Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre with whom they share the tarn. Yeadon Sailing Club was recently awarded Volvo Champion Club status in recognition for its continuing development of young sailors.

For more information please visit: www.yeadonsailingclub.co.uk or email info@yeadonsailingclub.co.uk.

Yeadon Sailing Club has been awarded Volvo Champion Club Status!

After working towards the award for a number of years, on the 3rd of March 2012, at the London Boat Show, the dream became a reality and the Club was awarded Volvo Club Status (VCC). Neil the Club Coach was there alongside junior members; Luke, Harriet, Matt and Ben to receive the VCC plaque and flag presented by the Olympic 470 sailors Saskia Clark and Hannah Mills.

The Club Commodore Tim Burnett proudly said “This is an extremely important step for the club as it means we now have recognition for the excellent junior and youth training programmes which have been designed by Neil McInnes and the Coaching Team.  Gaining VCC status also enables the club to apply for additional funding which helps to provide for essentials such as new sails for the Clubs training boats. The training programmes we provide are run by a team of dedicated volunteers who are also the schemes strength”.

The Club has been working closely with its neighbour Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre who are a local OnBoard Club. Both clubs share the water of Yeadon Tarn and have held joint introductory racing festivals for their junior sailors. Quite often keen juniors learn how to sail at the Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre as part of a school group and then go on to develop their skills and learn how to race by becoming a member of Yeadon Sailing Club (YSC).

As a finale to the season YSC holds a Team Racing Event and junior sailors from other sailing clubs in the local area are invited to take part in a fun filled, competitive morning.

It is this carefully planned gradual progression of racing activity that results in the junior members been confident and competent enough to be able to race alongside the adult members of the Club that has lead to YSC been awarded the Volvo Champion Club status.

Full house for the history talk

It was a full house for Yeadon Sailing Clubs history talk delivered with style by Howard Chadwick




Howard presented a enjoyable history of the club with photos, sketches and props from over the years since 1928. Following the presentation Sarah Chadwick, Cathy Cheetham, Rachael Dean and Jo Lee kindly served up Pie & Pea's.

This was an excellent evening and a good start to the new season. Thank you all that were involved in organising the event.

Photos from the first Working Party Weekend

Thanks to all those who helped out at the first of two working parties for 2012. The next will be Saturday the 17th March, all help will be welcome. Bacon butties will be available.

Gold Challenge Event at the Olympic Stadium April 1st

Gold Challenge Invites You To Our Olympic Stadium Event
 As a sports club that provides coaching for an Olympic Sport, we'd love to invite you to The Gold Challenge event in the Olympic Stadium.

The event in the Olympic Stadium on Sunday 1st April 2012 will feature a number of fundraisers, celebrities and athletes competing in a series of 100m sprints, relay races and a Gold Challenge Olympic themed parade.

Live music acts and a host of top stars will be announced soon but will feature Team GB ambassadors, international rugby and sporting stars and pop stars.

To be one of the first to enter the stadium, which this summer plays host to some of the most prestigious sporting events and biggest names in the world of athletics, tickets for the day are available from just £12.

Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis, and are likely to sell fast, so book early to experience this exciting event, which will also celebrate the achievement of thousands of extraordinary people fundraising for the Gold Challenge.

Simply use the direct link www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Gold-Challenge-tickets/artist/1683319

Alternatively, visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk  and search Gold Challenge