The Isle Of Sheppey in Kent offers a superb sailing environment just 40 miles east and less than an hour from London.
Sheerness on the island's north coast offers direct access at all states of tide to a world-class sailing area.
IOS Sailing Club is one of the oldest sailing clubs in the UK, whose aim is to encourage, promote and facilitate amateur dinghy & catamaran sailing with membership open to all.
Facilities for yachts can be found in Queenborough Harbour on the island's west shore.
The island's north shore has access to:
The best sailing waters in the South East:
- Extensive sheltered waters
- Launching at all states of tide
- Sea, river & estuary sailing
- Three Blue Flag beaches
- Olympic size courses can be set any wind direction
- Perfect sailing area for performance boats
- Flat sea-state with prevailing wind
- Excellent cruising potential
- Purpose-built clubhouse
- RYA Affiliated
- RYA Training Centre
- Europe's longest dinghy race
- Racing from April to November
- Easy nearby car parking
- Very reasonable membership fees
Location
Sheppey Crossing is just 30 minutes from the M25.
IOS is easily accessible from Kent, London and the South East via the M2 & M20 motorways and A249.
Simply follow the road signs for Sheerness (more).
IOS Round the Island Race
Probably the most unique event in the sailing calendar, the annual IOS Round the Island Race, held since 1959, attracts entries from far and wide.
The race is sailed in a clockwise direction around the Isle Of Sheppey. Around one hundred craft or more regularly enter and compete for dozens of class trophies and sponsored prizes.
All entrants who successfully complete the course within the time limit are presented with a circumnavigation certificate signed by the club's Commodore.