The Chase Sailing Club – 70th Anniversary Year
by Chris Anderson 15 Dec 06:57 AEDT
What a truly crazy, busy, unforgettable year 2025 has been as Commodore of The Chase Sailing Club. Celebrating our 70th anniversary was an honour, but without the dedication, support, and sheer hard work of an incredible committee, this special year would simply not have been manageable. This really has been a whole-club effort.
The first few months of the year were dedicated to planning how best to celebrate this milestone. There were debates, discussions, and yes, more debates, but with the members firmly at the heart of every decision, we finally agreed on a plan that would celebrate our past, present, and future.
Our anniversary celebrations began on 1st March with what turned out to be one of the most enjoyable surprises of the year: a Beer and Skittles Evening. Who would have thought this would become such a crowd-pleaser? The club was buzzing, laughter filled the room, and it set the tone perfectly for what was to come.
On 5th April, we hosted Around the World in 6 Wines, welcoming a wine expert for a bespoke tasting evening. Members tested their palates as they sampled wines from across the globe, guessing origins and learning along the way. This was an absolute hit and is already earmarked for a return in 2026.
Friday 11th April saw our annual Prize Giving, bringing the whole club together to celebrate success on the water. A fantastic presentation was put together by Commodore Anderson, recognising the achievements of our sailors across the season.
The first sailing event of 2025 was scheduled for 12th-13th April, hosting the GP14 Midland Area Championships. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, the event had to be cancelled due to low entry numbers.
To mark the club's 70th birthday, we then turned our focus to a major celebration weekend. On Saturday 3rd May, the Stu Green Sprint Championships were followed by a 70s fancy-dress buffet and disco (optional outfits, of course!). Tickets included food and two classic 70s drinks, making for a fantastic evening. This was followed on Sunday 4th May by the Commodore's Cup, rounding off a superb anniversary weekend.
Saturday 7th May welcomed our second open meeting of the year and the first visit from the Lightning 368 fleet, with 16 entries competing. Simon Hopkins of Up River YC secured a well-deserved first place.
On 28th June, we hosted the Platinum Pursuit 70/70 Challenge, celebrating 70 years of the club with a two-hour pursuit race open to sailors of all abilities. Seventy boats took to the water including dinghies, windsurfers, SUPs, and even model boats, creating an incredible spectacle.
The evening celebrations were just as memorable, with a Summer BBQ and live music from The Rattle Snakes, whose mix of hits from the 1960s to today had everyone dancing late into the night. What a party that was.
On 6th September, we celebrated in style with a three-course 70th Anniversary Dinner at the Compass Suite in Aldridge. With live music from Absolute Party, dancing, and a packed dance floor, the event was a total sell-out.
Commodore Anderson delivered a wonderful speech, and the highlight of the evening was the presentation of Honorary Life Membership to Steve Turner, in recognition of his outstanding service and dedication to The Chase Sailing Club.
The weekend of 20th-21st September saw the return of the Lightning 368 class for their National Championships, with 22 boats competing over six races. Robby Claridge emerged victorious after a closely fought series.
This event was twinned with the Solo Midland Series Open, with 11 boats competing on the Saturday and Jonathan Swain taking the win. That evening, the club hosted an incredible curry night for visiting sailors, followed by a party that continued into the early hours, fuelled by plenty of Sambuca shots and resulting in some very sore heads on Sunday morning.
After a few months of preparation, 13th December brought the Selden SailJuice Robline Polar Chase, attracting 56 entries from across the UK. With top sailors battling it out, Thomas Gillard and Arran Holman claimed the overall win.
That evening, the club hosted its 70th Anniversary Christmas Party, featuring a return performance from The Rattle Snakes. As expected, celebrations continued long into the night, Chase members certainly know how to party.
We also welcomed Santa Claus to the club for our children's Christmas party, with 20 youngsters enjoying pass-the-parcel, musical bumps, and festive food.
The year will conclude beautifully on 20th December with a Christmas Carol Concert, organised by the Commodore, featuring members playing instruments and lending their voices to a truly magical evening.
All of this sits alongside the regular heartbeat of the club:
- Four racing series throughout the year
- Saturday racing with three races per day
- Sunday pursuit racing at 14:00
- Wednesday and Friday evening racing during the summer
- Club trips including Coppet Week, Bass Week, and the Southport 24-Hour Race
- First aid courses, RYA training weekends, private functions, and more
The club has thrived throughout 2025. A new decking project, covering over 100m" and built to the highest standards, has been under way during the second half of the year and will be officially opened in January 2026.
Final Thoughts
If anyone says it's easy being Commodore of a sailing club in its 70th year, I challenge them to come and experience The Chase Sailing Club. There are low moments, and there are many, but they are far outweighed by the countless positives. Without the committee and the amazing support I've received, none of this would have been possible.
2025 really has been a year to remember, and planning for 2026 is already well under way with a bumper calendar ahead.
If you'd like to join The Chase Sailing Club 2026, please visit our website, make an enquiry, or simply come down and see us, you'll be made very welcome. Visit www.chasesc.org.uk
The Chase Sailing Club truly has been the place to be in 2025.