Henley Sailing Club celebrates it's 100th birthday

by Natalie Westover on 31 May 2011 The Henley Sailing Club, South Australia’s oldest metropolitan sailing club, is celebrating its 100th Birthday this year and is inviting all those associated with the club, past and present, to become involved in this year’s centenary celebrations. During the 100 year history of the Club a great many people have been associated with it as Members, or visitors. We are encouraging as many of these people as possible to reacquaint themselves with the Club by taking part in the Centenary celebrations planned for later this year and early 2012.

The Henley Sailing Club was established in 1911 and took its name from that beach side suburb where it all began. The Club has been sailing small boats off the beach every year since, except for an interruption during the Second World War.

Current Commodore, Malcolm Annells, tells us that 'Over the last 100 years many things have changed. In those days the sailing boats were constructed of wooden planks and the sails were made from cotton. Now the boats are made from fibreglass and the sails made from exotic synthetic materials such as Dacron and Kevlar. This was not the only change. In 1911 there were no life jackets or rescue boats. Then the sailors needed to be strong swimmers. Today with modern life jackets, and powered rescue boats, sailing has become a popular soft adventure activity for all ages.'
The club was founded before the popularity of the motor car and the 100 or so members of the time walked or rode their bikes to the Club to sail each Saturday afternoon during the summer months. Trips to sail at other locations began with the sailing boats being loaded onto the train at Grange, packed in seaweed for protection!

All past members are invited to join in the centenary year celebrations and are encouraged to participate in any or all of the planned Centenary festivities these are:

• Centenary and Annual dinner 18 June 2011
• Opening Day, including Open House, afternoon tea and reunion for past members Sunday 16 October 2011
• Centenary Regatta 26/27 November 2011
• Henley and Grange Cup Saturday 4 February 2012
• Closing Day Saturday 31 March 2012

For further information please visit our website here or contact Natalie Westover, Vice Commodore, 0413 055 169 henleysc(at)optusnet.com.au