About Us
We are situated in Flushing, which is a beautiful riverside fishing village just across the water from the port of Falmouth. The club has a long history of providing exhilarating and competitive racing for yachts in and around the Carrick Roads as well as coastal and offshore events. A strong involvement with the Sunbeam class during the early years persists, as does the full support of the Falmouth Working Boats Association. We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), not for profit, run by volunteers.
History
Our clubhouse had stood on the historic New Quay since 1959. Prior to 1947 the Club had no headquarters, although racing was carried out from a small building on the New Quay. Officially it was the place where you would pay your rent to the Trefusis Estate. Club meetings, prize giving etc. were held in the village hall.
In 1948 the then Commodore, Mr H.J. Silley of The Falmouth Docks Company, gave the Club a small steam vessel (but without an engine). Only the wheelhouse was usable and this was used as a starters’ hut and store. After two years it was realised that the maintenance of the boat was too much and she was sold.
The Club then moved to the Lawn Cliff Hotel, Flushing, where the proprietors provided two rooms and a bar and this remained the Club’s headquarters until 1959. In January of that year work commenced upon a new Clubhouse on the New Quay, and this is where we’ve been ever since. The Club was extended in 1966 and again in 1975, with further improvements made in recent years. Not large, not grand, but comfortable with a welcoming atmosphere, and dedicated to providing good racing.
It all Began with a Leak
Following yet another leaky roof incident in late 2014, what started as a need to get the leak fixed quickly, ended up rather typically as a Cornish gem of “project creep,” and just like that we had a new Clubhouse just in time for our Centenary season.
The new building was designed by local company CAD Architects of Truro and following discussions (lots) with the planning and conservation officers and extensive consultation (even more lots) with the community, we gained planning consent in September 2018 with no objections made and only 8 planning conditions on the permission. Then started the tough bit – raising the money. Construction, or rather, demolition, began in late 2020 (November 2nd), amidst the Covid pandemic.
The building was completed in May 2021, a testament to the skill and acumen of Fox Construction. Needless to say there were a few hiccups along the way, but the objective of being functional for our Centenary celebrations was achieved. None of this would have been possible without the support of our members, our generous donors and sponsors (including a range of individuals, charitable organisations, friends, grant-awarding bodies) and a galaxy of volunteers. Truly a team effort. It was always the intention that the new Clubhouse would be a community asset. In August 2021 our new clubhouse, was officially opened by the Princess Royal, President of the RYA.
During the season we race on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Racing is started from a committee boat situated in the Carrick Roads for evening races, and from the club start/finish line on Saturdays. Spectacular photo opportunities exist from the quay during the finishing sequence as the yachts can be followed up the harbour to a grand finish off the club line. Racing is provided for numerous classes of yachts including Multihulls, Sunbeams, IRC rated, Gaffers, Working Boats and a competitive White Sail fleet. A launch is provided throughout the season to run crews to and from their yachts.
