Hollingworth Lake SC
Address
Lake Bank
Littleborough
Lancashire
OL15 0DQ
United Kingdom
The Club
Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club welcomes complete beginners to experienced sailors.
The club enjoys excellent open water sailing on a 117 acre reservoir set in the foothills of the Pennines and its principal objective has always been “to create a safe and successful club of people who enjoy dinghy sailing and create opportunities for all to enjoy this sport”.
Since its foundation in 1946 HLSC has had a prominent role in British dinghy sailing being the home club of number of national champions, world champions and, following London 2012, an Olympic silver medallist. Its members own and manage all the functions of the club including organised racing, training and safety cover on the water, with a friendly welcome and an active social programme ashore.
Off The Water
Our members are involved in all aspects of the club, from race management to providing refreshments and organising social events. We have a well-maintained clubhouse with catering, changing and relaxation facilities. A comfortable bar is the focus of the social programme. During the winter months, social and training events for all ages are scheduled in the clubhouse.
The Sailing
Experienced Sailors
The Club’s main focus is on dinghy racing. Class racing in GP14, Laser, Merlin Rocket, Mirror and Solo dinghies takes place on Sunday afternoons (from the beginning of March to mid-December) and Wednesday evenings (in the summer months).
Every year each of our different classes holds an Open Meeting.
On Wednesday evenings we also hold a handicap race alongside our class racing. In other words, the handicap race start is in addition to the various class starts. So on Wednesdays members can race any type of dinghy they like.
New Sailors
At HLSC, we offer you an opportunity to develop your skills, through encouragement and support, in activities and events throughout the year. Whilst we would be keen to encourage you to take part in the club’s racing programme there are also a number of informal opportunities to get afloat away from club racing. One of the great things about HLSC is that, as a member of the club, you can choose to sail on the lake whenever you want. This option is available on any day of the week and so you have the freedom to practice your sailing when you want to. However if someone has very little experience we would recommend that their sailing takes place when the safety cover is there. Finally to help you along during your first year we will buddy you up with an experienced club member.
Crewing
You do not need to buy a boat to join the club. As most of our boats are two handed boats then crewing opportunities are nearly always available; the perfect and inexpensive way to introduce yourself to the sport.
Training and Development
The club offers a range of opportunities to members in order to develop their skills. As we are an accredited RYA Training Centre then the courses we run are RYA courses. The training courses are organised for all abilities including youngsters on the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme and adults who are new to the sport on RYA Dinghy Levels 1, 2 & 3 courses.
Facilities and Equipment
Dinghy Park
Outside, the dinghy park provides hard standing for the boats, with wide concrete slipways, giving easy access for launching into a sheltered harbour.
Club Boats
The club owns a number of boats (RS Visions, Mirrors, Optimists and Lasers) which are available for members to hire.
Safety
During all races a patrol boat is on the water. There are first aid facilities at the club. The club also has a number of buoyancy aids which new members can borrow.
Club House
The clubhouse has Ladies and Gents changing rooms with hot showers. There is a social area and a bar, both with superb views over the lake and the surrounding countryside. The club is excellent for spectating. You can also keep in touch with the outside world as the club has free Wi-Fi.
Which Boat?
We currently race in the following classes:
Mirror – excellent for juniors
Laser – a single hander for the fit and agile
Solo – a classic one-design, single hander that is sailed at many clubs in the UK
GP14 – a two-person dinghy, suitable for inexperienced sailors, while still providing entertaining racing up to a high standard
Merlin Rocket – an out and out two-person racer
Others – On Wednesday evenings we also hold handicap races for dinghies, so members can race any type of dinghy they like.
Additionally the club owns the following boats, which are used mainly for training, and can be hired by members:
Optimist – are designed for kids, who can handle them without danger or fear. Over 150,000 kids in over 100 countries cannot be wrong. The Optimist is not only one of the biggest dinghy classes in the world, it is the fastest growing.
RS Vision – an adult training boat that’s also a perfect all-round family sailboat for easy handling. A boat that is roomy, stable and great to sail.
Upcoming Events
- Open Training at Hollingworth - 12 May - All Day
- Open Meeting (Northern Bell) - 13 May - All Day