Sailing

Conway Yacht Club was founded in 1910 and in 2021 we merged with the Deganwy Rowers. The club was originally called the Conway River Yacht Club, and is the home of the historic Conway One Design (COD) Racing Keelboat Class.

Did you know: The use of the anglicized spelling “Conway” instead of the more modern, Welsh spelling, “Conwy” dates to the foundation of the Club and is enshrined in our Articles at Companies House.

The Club has two active racing fleets: the Cruiser Class and Conway One Design Class. Each class is represented on the sailing committee.

Throughout its long history Conway Yacht Club has had an active cruiser class. Conwy Bay with the prevailing south westerly winds is very sheltered and ideal for both cruising and racing. 

A variety of courses are available from about 6 to 15 nautical miles and include a mix of estuary / channel sailing and long open sea legs in the bay, with a varied fleet from sports boats to large cruisers.

We are happy for non-members to participate in our races provided they have the appropriate insurance to race.

The Conway One Design is an historic yacht designed in the 1920s specifically for the Conwy Estuary. Most of the boats are constructed of wood and are of considerable antiquity, though in recent years three fibreglass Conway One Designs have been built from a mould owned by the Club. 

For more information about the history and availability of these lovely boats please see our Conway One Design pages.

Our sailing season is between the months of April and October, taking place most weekends and occasionally midweek on suitable tides. Highlights of the season include the Conwy River Festival in July and our participation in the Menai Strait Regattas in August where we host our own regatta from Beaumaris on the 2nd Friday of the two-week event. 

Please see our sailing programme for details. Except for advertised open events, yachts must be owned by a member of C.Y.C., N.W.C.C. or M.B.H.A. Members of recognised yacht clubs may helm as guests for a maximum of four races.

Copies of the current sailing instructions and course cards are available on the resources page, along with links to tide and weather pages and also the latest positions of the buoys in the river approaches.

Whether you are new to sailing or an experienced salty seadog, you are very welcome at Conway Yacht Club. Find out how to start sailing with us.