Henley Sailing Club
Give it a go
You don’t need a boat, a wetsuit, or any sailing experience to try sailing with us.
Henley Sailing Club is one of the friendliest places to learn to sail in the area. We have a small fleet of club dinghies you can borrow, and experienced members who are happy to take newcomers out and show them the ropes.
Sailing on the river is a little different from coastal sailing — the winds can be tricky thanks to the trees, and summer brings plenty of river traffic to navigate. That’s part of what makes it interesting.
The easiest way to find out more about how to get started is to come down and meet us. Drop us an email at
enquiries@henleysailingclub.org.uk and we’ll arrange a visit at a time that works.
Ready to try?
Q & A
I've never sailed before. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Our members have decades of experience between them and are genuinely happy to show newcomers the basics. You won’t be left to figure it out on your own.
Do I need my own boat?
No. We have club dinghies available to borrow, free of charge for members.
Do I need to be able to swim?
You need to be a competent swimmer, or comfortable on the water. We’ll always have a patrol boat out during racing, and which are available for qualified members to use during recreational sailing.
When's a good time to learn to sail?
On many Wednesday and Friday afternoons throughout the sailing season, members come down for a sociable sail. It's a relaxed way to see the club, get out on the water, and meet people without any pressure.
On Wednesday afternoons when the weather's good there's often recreational sailing before the Wednesday evening racing begins at 6pm. You can stay in the boat and decide to race, or come ashore and watch with a drink. On Fridays, afternoons often end with a picnic on the lawn.
There are often experienced sailors around happy to help you rig up and get afloat. No instruction, no programme — just good company on a nice stretch of river.
Fridays aren't guaranteed every week and depend on who's around, so it's worth checking with us before you make the trip.
Can my children come along?
Absolutely — we have an active junior section. Children can join in on Friday afternoon sessions during the season, and we have boats suited to younger sailors including Optimists and Picos.
What should I bring?
Falling in and capsizing can often be a part of sailing. So bring old clothes you don’t mind getting wet, and a change for after. We have life jackets you can borrow and hot showers at the clubhouse. You don’t need specialist kit.