Since 1965
About Us
Rossendale Valley Sailing Club has provided a natural home for watersports enthusiasts since 1965.
Our Club
Facilities
Fabulous sailing venue
Clowbridge Reservoir is approximately 400m wide by 600m long covering 90 acres. It is an emergency drinking reservoir, this means that the water is safe, very clean and rarely drained.
Excellent access to the water from our large boat park and rigging areas.
Excellent Modern Clubhouse
Our facilities were completely redeveloped in 2000 following a successful bid to the Sport England Lottery Fund. The new clubhouse was opened on the 6th of April 2002. The stylish and modern building provides a good atmosphere and superb facilities to club members.
Ample car parking, a landscaped grass rigging area and an on-site boat park all within easy reach of the water’s edge makes access to the water nice and easy.
RYA Training Centre
An integral classroom within the clubhouise provides excellent facilities for hosting the full range of courses offered by the club. Rossendale Valley Sailing Club is a Recognised Teaching Centre registered with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). The club provides a wide range of courses to our members.
A wide range of club boats and boards are available for hire.
Vibrant Race Scene
Come and hone your sailing skills in a competitive environment.
Racing is a casual and fun event to encourage sailors of all skill levels to take part. Fellow members are encouraging and helpful so get involved and see how you do.
“Its the taking part that counts”.
Kid's Club
“Ops n Tops” is our junior sailing club held during the summer months to develop our young talent. A fleet of Optimist and Topper (hence the name) dinghies provide excellent facilities for learning the skills of the sport in a safe environment.
Boat Hire
The club has an extensive range of boats and boards to hire to members. Try before you buy to work out which workks best for you. Members are always eager to let members try out their boats as well
Activities
Dinghy Sailing
RVSC provides an excellent recreational sailing location. The beautiful backdrop of the East Lancashire moors provides an idyllic location for enjoying those balmy summer days. If excitement is what you are looking for join our windsurfers on those high wind days.
Wednesday evenings and weekends attract most sailing activity. Excellent boat storage facilities are available on site.
Windsurfing
RVSC is an excellent Windsurfing venue. The reservoir is open 12 months of the year and offers excellent wind conditions. Because of the exposed aspect at Clowbridge Reservoir it provides consistently the best wind in the surrounding area. Flat water and early planing boards make progression in the sport much easier.
Paddle Boarding (for Sailing members)
Try your hand at the latest board sport on our less windy days.
Fishing
Coarse fishing is by arrangement with the club. Annual Angling membership is available. Please use the My RVSC link to apply for annual membership.
Mountain Biking
The moorland around the club is criss-crossed with bridleways and paths and the club provides a key access points to the Pennine Bridleway.
Orienteering & Fell Running
Excellent access to the surrounding moors and the marked Orienteering Course to the footpaths and concessionary bridleways covering the area, or onto the reservoir perimeter path installed in 2001 providing easy walking and access for wheelchairs.
Orienteering maps can be obtained from the clubhouse.
A Club Culture Where Everyone is Welcome. Run by it’s Members, for it’s Members.”
The skills and hard work of club members over the decades has built a club to be proud of. All members are encouraged to get involved to keep this tradition alive. With the support of the RYA, United Utilities and Sport England the future is bright.
Get Involved
Club Management
Sailing Instruction
Boat Maintenance
Grounds Maintenance
Socials
View From the Clubhouse
The club’s weather station provides up-to-date weather readings.
Web camera images provide continuous views from the clubhouse veranda. Check out activity 24/7.
RVSC Weather Station
Vantage Pro 2 Console and Sensors
These instruments connect directly to the station console.
The Davis Vantage Pro2.
This station is a mid range cabled station providing data for:
- atmospheric pressure
- indoor and outdoor temperature
- indoor and outdoor humidity
- windspeed and direction
- rainfall
The weather station has now been installed at the club, and is displaying live data from the clubhouse. The station comprises four instruments:
- The combined indoor temperature, humidity and pressure meter
- The combined outdoor temperature and humidity meter
- The anemometer and wind direction monitor
- The rain gauge
Make a Change
Our Managment Team
The club is “run by its members for its members”. It is organised by a dedicated team of Committee Members. The Committee is drawn from volunteer members and comprises Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Hon Treasurer, Hon Secretary and 12 other members tasked with organising the club and its activities.
Mark Girven
Commodore
I have been a member of RVSC for more than 20 years, in this time i have learned to sail and developed my sailing skills to be a senior instructor at the club as well as a powerboat and keelboat instructor and Club RYA Principal. As Commodore I now have the opportunity to shape the direction of the club and work with the council to plan for the clubs future.
David Hudson
Vice Commodore
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Stephen Booth
Treasurer
I have been a member or RVSC for 27 years, I have learned and enjoyed the brilliant sport of Windsurfing, developing my skills and teaching ability to become a Windsurfing Instructor.
I have held numerous roles on the club Council and have been a continuous Council member for over 25 years.
Nigel Platt
Secretary
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