Cadet Week, August 2024. Inset: The club supports all
kinds of vessels, including motorboats.
CLUB FOCUS: North Devon Yacht Club Tide and tested
Diverse sailing and social activities await members of this busy club
T
he waters around Bideford Bay offer a range of boating experiences, from gentle family sailing to competitive racing, which
North Devon Yacht Club uses to its advantage. Based in Instow, the club is on the estuary where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet. ‘The estuary’s tidal range creates
fantastic sailing opportunities,’ says Katy Quick, who shares the position of club manager with Eric Evans, ‘so we’re incredibly active year-round! Our calendar includes weekly Saturday and Sunday Summer race series, winter series to keep competitive spirits alive and specialised events such as the Bell Buoy Race, Barnstaple Cup and Fremington Race.’ There’s plenty going on for younger
members, too. ‘We have a group for every developing sailor, with Young Pirates for those aged five to 13, Youth Sail for those who have reached a Stage 3 qualification and Youth Race for our more experienced young sailors. We also provide club boats and funding
Ϣʴ˙Ѓ˜˔˧˜ ˔˦ ˞˘ ˧ ˧˛˘ ˦˨˖˖˘˦˦˙˨ ˗˘˩˘ˣˠ˘˧ ˙ ˨˥ ˔˔˥˗ʠ˜˜˚ ˨˧˛ ˣ˥˚˥˔ˠˠ˘ϣ
support so lack of equipment isn’t a barrier to participation,’ Katy adds. She cites the credibility of being
affiliated with the RYA as giving parents ‘complete confidence’ when they enrol their children on North Devon Yacht Club courses. In fact, the quality of the club’s youth programme was recognised this year, winning the RYA Young Person’s Impact Award. Katy believes that ‘having access to RYA resources and the wider sailing community network has also been invaluable in building partnerships and sharing best practices with other clubs’.
Events are arranged around the tides to get the best sailing conditions.
The club’s community approach
ensures that sailing becomes an activity for every boater. Katy explains: ‘The RYA’s strategy Together on Water is already our ethos – we support all kinds of vessels, from wing foilers, dinghies, multihulls and dayboaters to long-distance motorboat and sail cruisers. We love any way to encourage people to use the water and gain all the benefits that come from getting afloat. This is supported by family-friendly events through the year that help build lasting friendships beyond sailing.’
ndyc.org
Facts about North Devon YC
O It holds club activities every week of the year
O The Taw and Torridge Estuary system offers incredibly varied and interesting sailing, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and ʴ˥˘˔ ˙ ˆˣ˘˖˜˔ ˆ˖˜˘˧˜Ѓ˖ ʼ˧˘˥˘˦˧
O Pay close attention to its detailed tide tables. Timing is everything – access to the water is uncomplicated but knowing the area means you can really explore
rya.org.uk AUTUMN 2025 63
Photos: Katy Quick/North Devon Yacht Club member/Eric Evans
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