Information

Chelmarsh Sailing Club was founded in 1965 to promote dinghy sailing on the then newly constructed Chelmarsh Reservoir in the Severn Valley of South Shropshire. It is an extremely picturesque reservoir of one hundred and ten acres administered by South Staffordshire Water PLC. The reservoir supports dinghy sailing and fishing. It is also designated as a bird sanctuary so preserving the natural charm and beauty of the area.

The club has a very healthy  membership of 400, with visitors of 300 on an annual basis. Determined efforts are made to attract new members and therefore the club continues to grow each year, but has not lost its family feeling. The adult fleets consist of Laser, GP14, Solo, Fireball, and Topper dinghies; also a Menagerie class (PN of 950 to 1158). The junior fleets comprise Optimist, Topper and Mirror dinghies. These  junior fleets are a very important feature of the club and competition is encouraged against the adult fleets.

Sailing is available to all members every day of the year. Cruising for leisure is actively supported on Saturdays and all days mid-week. The mainstay of the club and that for which it is noted is it's competitive sailing fleets. It is well supported by a full class racing programme each Sunday, Bank Holidays also Wednesday evenings during the spring and summer. Open meetings are held each year for , Laser, GP14, Solo, Fireball, and Topper class dinghies, and being part of a traveller series these events attract many visitors. The club has held the GP14 Youth National Championships, the Redwing Inland National Championship and hosted the Topper International Club Association training week, with up to forty competitors living on the premises.

There are dinghies owned and maintained by the club, these are available to all members. There is also a committee boat and two rescue boats together with a large boat park and car parking area.

The clubhouse provides excellent facilities for sailors and spectators. It has changing rooms and showers, a lounge bar, a well equipped galley, outside picnic and barbecue areas. also a children's play area. Several social functions are held each year using the club facilities.

Chelmarsh Sailing Club is affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association. It is recognised as a Royal Yachting Association Training Establishment with qualified instructors and has developed several dinghy sail training programmes. The club holds a number of sail training courses, these include two courses of learn to sail, improvers, junior learn to sail, introduction to racing and rescue boat handling courses. These courses are all part of a determined effort to attract new members, particularly youngsters.

Members recently competed in the Fireball World Championships, the GP14 World Championships and Laser worlds, also various National events.  The Club has had one junior member who went on to be a member of the Olympic team and Match Race champion. Currently the Club has the Laser World Masters Champion as a member.