HomeAbout WRSA

About WRSA

History

The White Rose Sailing Association (WRSA) was formed in March 1957 by a small group of enthusiasts who agreed to form a sailing association to look after the interests of members until the time was appropriate to form a club.

The first subscription was fixed at 50 shillings (£2.50) and WRSA has continued to keep the cost of membership to a minimum ever since.

Early in 1958 WRSA moved to its present site at Givendale on the river Ure to the southeast of Ripon. Although WRSA has operated as a Ripon sailing club ever since, it has never been deemed necessary to change the name from an association to a club.

In 1964 WRSA was the first club to adopt the Mirror class dinghy and became the number 1 Mirror Fleet.

Recent Developments

Following the completion of the gravel extraction work by Aggregate Industries in the fields next to our club’s site, our new sailing water, Givendale Lake, was formally opened by Mr Richard Compton of Newby Hall in June 2019.

Our club house, changing rooms and boat park are ideally placed between the lake and the river with easy access to both the lake and the river.

Sailing

On Sundays during our sailing season (March to October) organised racing takes place.

This year's racing programme includes several trophy days and a Regatta.

Complete beginners are welcome and every assistance will be given to them by the established members to help them to become competent sailors with informal training available from a RYA qualified instructor.

We have two club boats, that are used for lessons and are free for members to try for the first time. Thereafter the charge for members to hire these boats is £5 for a half day.

The Handicap fleet is varied and currently consists of dinghies from classes such as Enterprise, Mirror, Gull, Laser, Topper, GP14, Lark and Wayfarer.

Sailing on the lake is available to skilled sailors at all times, 7 days a week.

Facilities – The club site comprising of a boat park, ample free parking for cars, a clubhouse, plus changing rooms and toilets.

The clubhouse is situated overlooking the river with an area of decking at the side for members to relax and enjoy the views of the river and surrounding countryside. There is plenty of grassy area for children to run around and play games in the fresh air.

Members can access the clubhouse and the rest of the site 7 days a week, enabling members to enjoy a BBQ on a warm summer’s evening.

Ethos

We extend a warm welcome to experienced sailors, to beginners and to families.

From the beginning WRSA has sought to provide the competitive environment through which competent sailing and boat handling standards can be achieved. At the same time those features which make week-end sailing an exciting and enjoyable family sport are purposely maintained.

WRSA’s activities, both sailing and social, are well supported and family membership is encouraged.

Members of all level of abilities are encouraged to participate in the club’s racing. It should, however, be pointed out that this programme, whilst seriously followed, is undertaken in keeping with the family spirit of the club.