New Member news

Published 19:38 on 16 Mar 2022

On joining ESC

Having moved into Emsworth during early lockdown and making new friends in the village, including on the Oysterboat Terror, we were advised by several friends and neighbours that ESC was the place to be. So our names were duly added to the waiting list and eventually, cream-like, we rose to the top. We know from experience (we are long-standing members of CYC, and I am a past rear-commodore there) that participation is the way to get the most out of club membership.

So far, apart from occasional drinks, we have attended the St Patrick's Day Fitting Out Supper, which was great fun and preceded by a most interesting and amusing talk on cruising the western Scottish isles, given by James Collings-Wells. That has definitely given us food for thought when we get our next motor-cruiser (we're currently between boats), particularly as we have a vague notion of cruising to Ireland at some stage to visit family, so perhaps the two could be combined? Watch this space

When we received the welcome pack and club programme I noticed a PB2 course with free spaces the following weekend. We've had various tenders on previous motor-cruisers (both rigid-hulled and inflatable) but never any formal training in their operation. So it was that on a cold and blustery first Saturday in March, duly wrapped for the conditions, I pitched up for the course. And what great fun it was and very well presented by Jonathan and Trevor, giving just the right balance of theory, practical application and tips.

So far, so good. You are a really friendly bunch and we look forward to becoming more involved, especially once a new boat materialises!

Gavin & Caroline Crick