WSC history.
In the mid 1960's when Clatworthy reservoir was built some 12 miles west of Taunton a number of dinghy racing enthusiasts who sailed on the sea during the summer months, got together and formed a club to organise somewhere for them to sail during the winter. In those days clothing suitable for winter sea sailing was not available, wet suits were in their infancy & dry suits something mainly used by divers, hence the need for sheltered water for the winter.
Clatworthy Sailing Club had a membership of around fifty families and individuals. They found the reservoir so much to their liking, that all the year round sailing soon began and a simple clubhouse was built. Financial circumstances however never allowed any main services to be connected.
In the mid 1970's a new reservoir was created at Wimbleball and the Clatworthy Club took the opportunity to move to this much larger and more open stretch of water, sailing there for the first time in October 1978. The clubhouse at Clatworthy was sold and is now used by anglers. The proceeds of this sale, a Sports Council grant, members contributions and a good deal of free labour, part from an early unemployment reduction scheme, allowed a larger clubhouse to be built at Wimbleball. This new clubhouse had the added luxury of mains water and drainage. At this stage however the only lighting available was by candle: It was not until later that gas lighting was installed, enabling winter sailing to go until later in the day as members no longer had to rely on daylight to change. As membership increased and funds allowed electricity was put in and a purpose built race hut was built at the southern end of the club bay. By this time membership had increased to five times that of the original Clatworthy club.
An interesting aspect of the club's history is the way that the types of boat sailed has changed over the years. In the 1960's at Clatworthy members mostly sailed Mirrors, Larks and Solos. In the early days at Wimbleball someone turned up with a sailboard and to the onlookers amusement gave a demonstration of how to fall into the water. Another member, with great foresight, bought a Tasar dinghy which at that time was quite new to the market. Although this boat has changed owners several times it is still raced regularly at Wimbleball, where the Tasar is currently the most popular two person racing dinghy. Mirrors, Larks and Solos are seen on the water less often nowadays. Lasers have become the most popular single-handed boat sailed. Despite the initial amusement and scorn, sailboards have always been welcome and never been banned, as in some clubs. In fact Wimbleball has proved to be a useful training ground as one sail-boarding member reached world class racing standard.
The large size of the lake has always attracted a few catamaran sailors as until recent times it was the only inland water in the South West where they could be sailed. Even trimarans are seen on the water, where for the last twelve years, disabled people have used them for their sailing activity. Other minor activities include canoeing, rowing and even model sailing boats. All the foregoing came about because from the beginning the club had a policy of allowing any 'seaworthy' boat to take to the water. From time to time various unusual craft, from Exeter Maritime Museum, have been seen going through their paces at Wimbleball.
Local schools are encouraged to base their clubs and sailing instruction at the club, where from time to time inter school regattas are held. A few years ago a number of members became RYA qualified instructors and in 1992,the club became a RYA recognised training establishment. Many of our current members having joined after first learning to sail at Wimbleball.
Joe.
1998