Sailing on Hayling Island

Dinghy sailing, yacht racing and the sailing clubs

Sailing is woven into the fabric of Hayling Island life. The island's position between two harbours and facing the open Solent provides some of the best sailing conditions in southern England. Hayling Island Sailing Club is one of the country's leading dinghy sailing clubs, hosting national and international championships throughout the season.

The club's beach launch is used by hundreds of members who sail dinghies, catamarans and windsurfers from the sandy shore. The racing programme runs from spring to autumn, with club races, open meetings and championship events that attract competitors from across the country. The club has produced national and Olympic-level sailors, and its junior programme develops young talent.

Beyond the sailing club, the harbours provide sheltered sailing for cruising yachts and motorboats. Moorings in Chichester and Langstone Harbours give boat owners access to the wider Solent, the Isle of Wight and the Channel coast. The boatyards on the island and in the surrounding harbours provide storage, maintenance and repair services.

Learning to sail on Hayling is straightforward. The sailing club offers tuition, and commercial sailing schools provide courses for beginners through to advanced levels. The RYA-accredited courses cover dinghy sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and powerboating.

The sailing community is one of the island's defining social groups. Sailing provides shared activity, competition, social events and a connection to the maritime environment that surrounds the island.