The Club:
Established well over 100 years ago, the Solway Yacht Club continues to go from strength to strength, achieving RYA Scotland “Club of the Year “ in 2018. The Club caters and encourages all forms of sailing and boating, from long distance ocean cruising, highly competitive dinghy, and keelboat racing, through to kayaking and paddleboarding. It also has a highly active powerboat fleet with larger offshore powerboats and RIBs. The Club enjoys the stunning surroundings of the Urr Estuary leading to the open Solway Firth, the Colvend coast, justifiably known as the “Scottish Riviera”, the Irish Sea and beyond. The Club has a spacious clubhouse with magnificent views across the boat-park, slipway and estuary with the Galloway hills beyond, There are comfortable showers and facilities, along with a fully stocked bar and galley, open during events
The Members:
Club members, past and present, include circumnavigators as well as racing sailors who have reached international level in the British Sailing Team. Dinghy and keelboat racing takes place regularly during the season as well as “cruising in company”, enjoyed by both sailing and powerboat crews. The seasons highlights are the annual Cadet Week and Kippford Week, as well as open meetings for various racing classes. Reports of these and other SYC events are to be found on yachtsandyachting.com
The Cadet Fleet:
The Club has a strong cadet training section with several RYA Qualified Instructors, Senior Instructors and Coaches, including several enthusiastic young instructors, great role models for new cadets. There are also others who have many years of experience behind them, along with rather less hair than their younger peers! The Club’s Cadet Week is a tradition stretching back decades, including spirited racing, coaching for the improvers, and a full programme of RYA courses for beginners. The social scene during the week is legendary, with “Mudlarks” and the Cadet Dinner served by the Flag Officers (parents prohibited!) perhaps being the highlights. Cadet Week has produced many a fine sailor over the years including many top class national and international racers and not forgetting Jock Wishart, a previous Cadet Captain, the famous explorer and adventurer.
Kippford Week:
Kippford Week racing has become an annual pilgrimage for many families, from all parts of the UK and beyond. Six days of racing cater for dinghies, keelboats, and cruisers, including the day of the Kippford RNLI Regatta when all entry fees are donated to the local RNLI. Again, the social side is very much part of the fun, and the village is lively all week. It’s a holiday area and there are plenty of hotels, B&Bs and guest houses providing accommodation locally but booking well in advance is essential.
Visiting Yachtsmen:
The Solway Yacht Club also offers a cordial invitation to visiting sailors. However, Kippford is not really a suitable berthing area for fin keel cruisers due to drying moorings. Any boat that can take the ground will be able to moor in the Urr. There is limited space on the club’s pontoons with a very modest overnight charge, payable at the Club or at The Mariner Hotel. Both pubs in the village serve great food and drink.
The Welcome:
Most importantly, we are a friendly club. We welcome new members, visitors or just anyone who would like to pop in for a blether about boats, the Solway, or the weather but that’s always great in Kippford! Remember though that we're all glass half full folk.