Gerry and Liz's story

"My wife Liz and I joined GCCC, at the beginning of 2010. It had always been a dream of ours to own a sailing boat after being on a flotilla holiday in Greece in 2007.  We knew we needed to know our Lat from our Long, so Liz bravely started a Day Skipper Theory course at the local Technology College. She brought home the first evening’s homework and I saw the amount she had to do; I panicked and joined her.

We became friends with Neil and Carol who enthused about the club and how friendly and knowledgeable the members were, especially as we were at that time actively looking for a boat to purchase.   We duly joined and our first event was the Winter Walk where we met up with several members who were very welcoming and offered lots of advice on what type of boat to buy.

In July 2010, as complete novices, we purchased our boat after completing our Day Skipper course and decided to attend a GCCC rally.   We found the members were superb in supporting us all the way, helping us on passage planning, rendezvouing in the middle of the Solent, guiding us into Bembridge and helping us moor up safely onto a pontoon.  It took all the stress away and we were greeted by friendly faces!

We have been made more than welcome by all the membership and I am happy to say that joining the Guildford Coastal Cruising Club has been one of the best sailing decisions we have ever made."