The Civil Service Sailing Association

Commodore: Alex Allan
General Secretary: John Figgures

The Civil Service Sailing Association (CSSA) provides facilities around Great Britain for members of the Civil Service Sports Council and their families to enjoy sailing and racing offshore, in dinghies, and windsurfing. All abilities from complete novice to experienced ocean racer are provided for, together with a range of practical training.

What do we offer?

Dinghy sailing and racing at clubs around the country

There are currently seven clubs in England where dinghy owners can keep and race their own boats or windsurfers, or crew for their owners, both inland and on the sea, in Berkshire, Devon, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Middlesex and Somerset. At three clubs, dinghies are available for period hire. Racing takes place every weekend, but there is also space for members to cruise. The CSSC/CSSA National Dinghy Championships takes place on Southampton Water each summer. Some RYA dinghy training courses are also organised at these clubs, details from local secretaries .

Offshore cruising and racing in our own three 33’-38’ yachts

The CSSA itself currently owns three modern sea-going yachts 33 - 38 feet long which are available for use by all members. One is kept in the Solent area near Southampton, Hants, one at Liverpool and one near Harwich, Essex. Each of the three cruising yachts usually go on a long cruise each summer to one or more European countries, and they frequently cross the English Channel, Irish Sea and North Sea on shorter cruises. The Liverpool-based yacht also competes in short and long races. An Inter-Departmental Offshore Regatta, mostly using matched class chartered yachts, is held off the South Coast each year. Yachts are also chartered for cruising and racing by some of the offshore divisions.

Moorings on the South Coast

There are also various types of moorings and berths available for use by CSSA yacht owners in Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton Water and Plymouth Sound – but there may well be a waiting list.

Practical training, including formal RYA courses –
 no previous experience necessary

The CSSA is a recognised RYA Sail Training Establishment and regularly runs 5 day practical yacht courses for RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster qualifications with RYA approved instructors. Suitably qualified members may become CSSA ‘Approved Skippers’ and may then charter the club yachts. A crewing bureau is operated for the three club yachts to provide yacht sailing for all members which matches their interests and experience

Magazine

The CSSA magazine 'Civil Service Sailing' will be issued four times a year in January, March, May and October and is posted to all Full and Associate CSSA Members. Contributions are welcome and should be sent preferably by post to the Editor, David Richards, 7 Grafton Park Road, Worcester Park, Surrey KT4 7HS - 020 8337 4649 - civilservicesailing@'yahoo.co..uk.