Morecambe and Heysham Yacht Club

History and membership
The club was started in 1936 by local fishermen who liked to race their boats. These down-to-Earth local beginnings are still reflected today in the character of the club. Our membership is open to everyone with an appropriate interest, has always had a very local base and consists of people with a shared enthusiasm for sailing in the Bay, or an interest in other water-sports such as wind-surfing, sub-aqua diving, power-boating or driving jet-skis. You don’t need to own a boat or be an active sailor to join the club, novices and social members are welcome too. Families are particularly welcome, with family membership available to parents and their kids. After all kids are the future of this fantastic sport ... you may have the next Olympic Gold Medallist in your family (the UK has consistently won more Olympic Golds for sailing than just about any other sport).

What’s in a name?
Mention the words “Yacht Club” and many people think of posh clubs like The Royal Yacht Squadron (which owns a castle on the Isle of Wight) frequented by Princes and Millionaires, rather than the Morecambe and Heysham (which owns a small building at the back of Calton Terrace in Morecambe) frequented more by the sort of folk you’d meet in the Dog and Partridge or the Jubilee Club than at the RYS Yacht Club! Like rugby or cricket, yachting (or sailing as some of us prefer to call it) attracts people from a very wide social range and the character of its clubs reflects that of their members – the one thing we all share is our love for this fulfilling sport.

Is it expensive?
You will be surprised how inexpensive sailing can be. You don't need thousands of pounds to put a boat on the water, there are often people looking for crew to share the fun with them. If you do have a boat, all we ask is that your boat is safe, well maintained, insured and if you are a novice, you allow us to teach you to sail safely and competently. See Membership Docs for Price Details.

Is it dangerous?
Sailing, especially on the Bay, is an exhilarating experience, but on occasions the wind and tide can threaten your safety. We will only sail if we are sure that the weather & sea state is suitable. Yacht & Dinghy racing is organised in accordance with our Sailing Instructions.

What happens if something goes wrong?
A Race Official who is in radio contact with a Safety Boat manned by trained Club personnel supervises all our races from shore. This ensures that all our Members can sail in safety.

I don’t have a boat, I don’t know how to sail - but I’m keen to learn.
Morecambe & Heysham Yacht Club is a R.Y.A. recognised Training Centre.

The club has 2 Wayfarer Dinghies available especially for sailing instruction & 6 other single or double handed dinghies available for members use for further development of sailing skills and knowledge before the need to buy your own dinghy.  A usage charge is payable @ £5 per crew member and pre-booking is essentiial via the club dinghy instructors Keith Byers, John Gibbison, Phil Preston or Deirdre Ward.

What else can the Club offer?
Your boat will be parked in a secure compound when you aren't sailing. We have adequate changing rooms & showers at the club. If you like a chat and a drink, we boast a comfortable and well-stocked bar which is open on Club nights.

Is the club really open to everyone?
Our club welcomes parents with children who want to sail and is also a RYA Sailability Foundation Centre which means that we also offer the opportunity for disabled people to take up sailing. We have a Club Welfare Officer who keeps us up to date with the RYA Child Protection Policy who's guidelines we abide to.

Interested?
Phone us on 01524 418206 any Friday after 8.30 pm or call personally into the Club on Back Calton Street, Morecambe any Friday evening or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . See the Membership Details section in contents for costs and application forms. Alternatively, come down to the Morecambe Town Hall slipway any Sunday from March to mid-October when the tide is up and find out more about the enjoyment of sailing on the Bay.

Full details of our Racing Programme and Dinghy Sailing Taster Days are on this site - see the appropriate menu.

The club is pleased to enjoy a close working relationship with  Lunesdale Sub Aqua Club 138 whose members utilise the clubhouse for their meetings, are automatically social members of the club and we share many social events.