The River Club
On halcyon days brilliant with buttercups and rumbling with bumble-bees, a sail lazily climbing to windward against the current has an everlasting timelessness. This is not about down-to-weight, tautly tensioned speed machines clothed in Kevlar and powered by fit young Neanderthals in Lycra. This is sailing that takes its inheritance from Swallows and Amazons, boating with picnic baskets where the wind sighs softly under the willows, where pirates and other dangers are only as real as the imagination and an occasional capsize is fun. There is nothing like messing about in boats, as the Water Rat assured us: and of the many small boating clubs along our stretch of river, Ratty and Mole would without doubt choose to be members of the River Club.
Unobtrusively placed just upstream of the Albany, this is the club that escapes notice. It was not always there, nor was it always called the River Club. It used to be "The Sailing Division of the British Motor Yacht Club." The BMYC was an altogether grander affair. Based in Isleworth, moving later to Strawberry Vale, its illustrious history from 1934 included wartime service, when several members and motor yachts took their place among the 'little ships' that helped to evacuate Dunkirk. After the war, petrol rationing inhibited motor-boating, while sailing dinghies became more accessible and popular, so in April 1947 a sailing section was formed at about the same time that the BMYC migrated to Ferry Road, below the lock at Teddington.
Sailing dinghies are more fickle to control than motor yachts, and the crew can occasionally get wet one way or another; so sailors are in general more tolerant people with a better-developed sense of humour than motor-boaters. If they are dinghy sailors, they also tend to have less money. These were the days when Lord Brabazon presided over the BMYC. Established, blazer-clad club stalwarts paced the decks of their gleaming mahogany and teak vessels and, pink gin in hand, looked down upon the rumpled waterproofs of the sailing section. There was no space for keeping dinghies on the same bank as the club. In 1958, Mr. Christie, then landlord of the Albany in Thames Ditton, invited the BMYC Sailing Section to sail there and they moved their boats to Albany Reach. A clubhouse was built in 1982. Separated from its parent by place and ethos, the River Club evolved.
The 'River Club,' because while sailing remains a mainstay of club activities many non-sailing members have joined in recent years, including owners of skiffs, small motorboats, canoes and even some who joined simply so they can enjoy this fabulous spot on the river and watch other people messing about in boats. In keeping with its atmosphere, the club is welcoming and accessible. Terms are very reasonable indeed - you can park a dinghy opposite Hampton Court Palace for £75 a year. There are currently around 15 dinghies at the club, including six club boats (Larks, Lasers and Enterprises) that members can take out. The club launch, Calypzoe Rose, can also be taken out for a small donation if she is not being used as a rescue boat for racing. There is no formal course of sailing instruction at the club, but members are very happy to take tyros on the water and show them the ropes in a relaxed way. 
Those who race dinghies seriously on the sea look down on landlocked sailors as 'pondies,' but handling the fickle winds, the river's current and limited space is a discipline of its own and makes for interesting sailing and boat-handling. Handicap racing is organised on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings; and the club holds a winter series for the hardy, for the prize of a bottle of malt whisky. These are not highly competitive affairs - more an excuse to get on the river. 
The atmosphere is easygoing. The club organises barbecues and has a marquee, which can also be hired for a small fee. Short cruises in company are a feature, with Calypzoe Rose on hand should the fleet need to be towed upstream and upwind after shore leave in the fleshpots of Kingston. The club's location and relaxed approach are an invitation to simple enjoyments. You can bring your grandchildren for a summer's day by this splendid stretch of river, have a barbecue and take them for a potter in a boat. And The Albany is right next door should their parents wish to repair to the bar meanwhile. What could be more delightful? What more traditional? What more British than this symbiosis of pub and leisure activity?
"Nice? It's the only thing," said the Water Rat solemnly, as he leant forward for his stroke. "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." … While Mole, intoxicated with the sparkle, the ripple, the scents and the sounds and the sunlight, trailed a paw in the water and dreamed long waking dreams….. (adapted from Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Graham)
The River Club is at Queen's Road, Thames Ditton KT7 0QY
Telephone: Membership Secretary David Walker on 0870 460 3586
E-mail: david@a2k.co.uk
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