Sunbury Skiff & Punting Club (SSPC) has found a new home just next door to its previous launch site at Desborough Sailing Club (DSC).
It is a great and exciting move for both clubs.
SSPC were previously leasing land from the owners of Ferris Meadow between DSC and the popular Shepperton open water swimming lake. Although this was a great gesture from the landowners to encourage more water sports on Ferris meadow, the area where the skiffs lived, on their purpose made pontoon, was very open to the elements. Over the last few years the skiffs have been having a very hard time as they were out in the open suffer-ing from damage by flood water and heavy storms.
During the year long clubs lockdown, four of the SSPC fleet of six skiffs needed to have major restorations. With the work costing over £11,000, the committee were concerned that the boats would again be prone to hard weath-er conditions and damage if kept on their pre-sent pontoon.
An attentive approach to DSC was made to enquire what their thoughts were about SSPC and the possibility of SSPC boating from the Sailing Club site. The response was heart-warming. DSC members had already had discussions about inviting SSPC to come and join them. DSC had seen that SSPC had been struggling at their site over the fence.
During lockdown the two clubs set up a sub committee to try and see if a deal could be done that would be viable for all. There then ensued a series of Zoom meetings. Having not met in person and not having any idea of each other’s structures, there were some lively and enlightening meetings. At the twelfth hour SSPC eventually managed to get a deal across the line with ‘Brussels’!
SSPC have no idea what fishing rights they have but they don’t really care! During the meetings it became apparent what a great club Desborough Sailing Club is and how friendly and accommodating its members are.
SSPC are delighted with the move to the DSC site. SSPC boats now have a protected desig-nated storage area with full use of DSC facili-ties. Most importantly SSPC members now have a bar to enjoy, (subject to current Covid guidelines).
Now that restrictions are lifting and summer is on the horizon, both clubs are getting back on the water and there is a really nice vibe down at Desborough Sailing Club. Why not take a look at www.sunburyskiff.club and set your sights on keeping fit, making new friends and even winning some new medals at a new sport.