Ogston Sailing Club is based on Ogston Reservoir, Derbyshire, UK. Founded in 1960, we continue to welcome all those with an interest in dinghy racing, whether young or old, experienced or novice. The reservoir is situated in beautiful countryside between the low-lying hills of the Amber Valley and has an area of 220 acres of open water. The club facilities consist of extensive grounds with a waterside dinghy park and ample car parking. There is a spacious club house with hot showers and changing rooms and a new boat shed. We have a bar with a steward, wet and dry lounges, a large club room and separate games room, kitchen, and B.B.Q. facilities outside. Recent additions to our facilities are changing and toilet amenities for disabled sailors, a new boat / storage / training facility, improved foreshore facilities for the Challengers and an improved race management hut.
We have an extensive racing program, with racing on most weekends of the year and on Wednesday nights during the summer. For newer members who have learnt the basics of sailing, the club runs introduction to racing sessions on Friday evenings during the summer and a novice sailors race series on Saturdays. Racing is a mixture of Class racing, Handicap racing and Pursuit racing, additionally we hold open meetings for the adopted club classes, and on certain times throughout the year hold special regatta weekends for our members. The club welcomes disabled sailors and is the base for the Challenger Disabled Sailing Group. The Challenger has all controls in front of the helm, who sits in a forward facing position, making the boat ideal for those with limited mobility. Outriggers on either side of the hull remove the risk of capsize, and Challengers race and compete with the other fleets at the club. Aware of its responsibility to the community at large, the club takes great pride in helping all those interested in sailing. We can guarantee not just beautiful surroundings and access a large area of clean sailing water but a friendly family atmosphere for our members and their guests.
The club is affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association and is an accredited RYA Training Centre, catering for all those who wish to learn to sail (see 'Training' section). We are an RYA/Volvo Champion Club - awarded for our expertise in training junior and youth sailors to national level. As a new sailor you will be able to take advantage of our Learn to Sail course and during the summer months we have informal race training on a Friday evening which you are encouraged to attend once you have purchased your own dinghy. We provide power boat familiarisation sessions for new members so that you can handle one of the clubs patrol boats with safety and confidence, and advanced training is available is you wish. During the first year you are encouraged to attend a Duty Officer Training course which will equip you to assist a Race Officer run the days racing and offer an alternative to sitting in a safety boat, and in your second year you are encouraged to attend a Race Management course. From time to time the club offers Dinghy and Power Boat Instructors courses.