Find WatersportsUK sailing directory
Back to directory
ClubInlandRishton / Blackburn, LancashireRishton Reservoir

East Lancashire Sailing Club

BeginnerTrainingJuniors

East Lancashire Sailing Club is a Rishton Reservoir dinghy club near Blackburn with racing, training and junior sailing.

Visit official website

Start

Can a beginner start here?

Dinghy sailing, Club racing, Training, Junior sailing, Open meetings, Social sailing

Beginner
The club has a beginner section for people who have never sailed before, says the FAQ is a good place to start, and invites prospective beginners to discuss experience, RYA courses and getting on the water.
Training
ELSC says it is an RYA Recognised Training Centre offering certified training in sailing craft and powerboats. Its training PDF lists RYA sailing courses including Level 1 Start Sailing, Level 2 Basic Skills, Level 3 Better Sailing and advanced modules, plus powerboat courses.
Taster· Unclear
The current official site encourages prospective members to visit, talk to the club, and discusses getting beginners on the water; it also lists a day visitor or temporary membership. I did not find a current, clearly advertised taster session or open day.

Activity tags

Club racing· ActivityDinghy sailing· ActivityJunior sailing· AudienceOpen meetings· ActivitySocial sailing· ActivityTraining· Training

Suitability

Juniors, families, and accessibility

Juniors
The club describes itself as family friendly, says junior sailors take part in sailing and social activities, and says new junior members have free use of club Optimists and Toppers for the first year. Family membership covers up to two parents and children under 21, and junior membership is listed for members up to age 18.
Access
ELSC says it is an RYA Sailability Centre and has a Hansa Access 303 dinghy for sailors who may find conventional dinghies unsuitable for their access needs. The site asks people to contact the club about their needs and sailing ambitions because access needs vary.

Costs

Costs, membership, and boats

Prices

2026/2027 membership prices shown on the official site are Individual £95, Duo £120, Family £140, Junior £35, Student £56, Social £28, and Visitor or Temporary £20. The training PDF says all sailing courses cost £160 and all powerboat courses cost £200, with tuition, use of boats, safety equipment, RYA registration, course materials and certification included. The FAQ says there is no joining fee and that berthing is charged separately, but I did not find a current berthing price.

Membership

Official site welcomes new members and describes sailing, racing, training and club events at Rishton.

Boat hire
The club does not present this as commercial boat hire, but current official sources say members can sail club dinghies for a small maintenance donation, junior members can use Optimist and Topper fleets free for the first year, and student membership includes use of club boats during the 10-week membership period.

Facilities

Facilities and equipment

Racing· OtherTraining· OtherSafety cover· SafetyOpen meetings· OtherClubhouse· ClubhouseJunior sailing· Other

Location

Rishton / Blackburn · 6 nearby clubs mapped

Open in Google Maps

Trust

Sources and data quality

Data status
Verified
Find Watersports check
12 Jun 2026
Club verification
Not listed
Sources checked (4)