Welcome to Salterns Sailing Club

Lymington's sailing club for children, run by children in Lymington, Hampshire.

Salterns Sailing Club was established in 1960 by Major Tony Hibbert MBE MC with the objective of interesting children in sailing, teaching children to sail and race in a safe yet challenging environment and also to involve children in the running of the club.
Find out about the history of Salterns >

Based at Eight Acre Pond, an old saltpan and Site of Special Scientic Interest (SSSI), Salterns is a veritable ‘Swallows and Amazons’ environment. It provides a safe and shallow haven without tides but with tricky wind shifts, where children can develop their sailing and racing whilst having lots of fun with friends. 

Over the years thousands of young people have learnt to sail at Salterns, developing a respect and love for the sea which has stayed with them all their lives. Many applied their experience in running the club to good effect, in running of other clubs and in their chosen careers.

Salterns has been a starting point and inspiration for many national and international champions in a myriad of classes, many of these 'Old Salts' have been awarded a Salterns 'Gold Pennant.'

The Salterns season runs from April to November, during which time full members can sail at their leisure and participate in a number of events and activities organised by the Junior Committee and volunteers on the Management Committee, including Moppy Camp when the club becomes an RYA Training Centre for the weekend.

The Salterns Fleet 

Members at Salterns Sailing Club have the opportunity to sail at Eight Acre Pond until they are 16 years old. The following dinghies are available for use: 

Optimist

The club has a number of 'polyoppies' also known as Optiqubes, perfect plastic hulled boats for young beginners. Children sail the polyoppies until they have achieved their Salterns Red Pennant (RYA youth stage 2).
In addition the club has two GRP optimists, perfect for sailors with their Salterns Red Pennant (RYA youth stage 2) who wish to try Bronze Fleet before purchasing their own GPR optimist.

RS Tera

Salterns Sailing Club has 12 RS Teras which can be used by members who have their Salterns Red Pennant (RYA youth stage 2) or above. Tera Training and Tera Racing are organised.

British Moth

The club has 7 British Moths which can be sailed as a single or double hander by members who have their Salterns Blue Pennant or above. Moth Racing is organised.

Lymington Scow

Salterns Sailing Club has 3 Lymington Scows which may be sailed by parents and more experienced sailors. 

Rowing Boats

The club has 2 rowing boats to use as safety vessels on the pond, plus 4 smaller starfish (also known as peanuts) for juniors to row. 

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