Welcome to Rondout Sailing Club

Welcome to the Rondout Sailing Club, a club that doesn’t exist but will.

With the magnificent Hudson Estuary and the tranquility of the Rondout Creek, I’m surprised we don’t have a local sailing club catering to small water craft. These stretches of water should be haven for small water craft but alas there aren’t many places that cater exclusively for these craft.

A club would help change that and provide members the convenience of being able to store their craft at the waters edge and help facilitate a speedy launch. Just imagine not having to load your kayak onto your car or trailer a small boat, instead you’d just have to pack some life jackets, paddles or sails etc. and off you go.

What would the club provide?

Apart from giving access to the water, a club would provide a community for it’s members, everyone helping each other and nurturing the young and beginners whilst at the same time building up infrastructure such as landing jetties, launching ramps etc. through the effort of volunteers.

Like most grass roots clubs, you get what you put in and if there is anything left at the end of the day, it goes back into the club and in time I can see the club offering:

  • Introductory and intermediate classes in sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding etc.
  • Provide club boats rental for those that don’t own a boat
  • Day picnic cruises and racing event
  • Open days where you can try out a new water sport
  • Social events, bbqs, private parties etc.

Aims of the Club

The aims of the club will be determined by its members but here are some basics:

  • Create a safe, educational, family orientated environment for people who want to enjoy the water.
  • Promote youth engagement and access to the water for people with a disability.
  • Promote an appreciation of nature.
  • Develop a racing program for those with a competitive nature.
  • Encourage the establishment of other sailing clubs on the Hudson.
  • A club for members, run by members.

About us

We are David Linnard and Aimee Gardner, I’m a native of the UK but have lived in the states for over twenty years. I moved to Kingston a few years ago with my wife Aimee who used to live here many years ago.

My occupation is programmer and sometime maker. Aimee is a coordinator for the Kingston Equitable Internet Initiative and used to work for the Kingston based, O+ Festival. In our spare time you’ll find us working on our house renovation or sailing.

Boat-wise we have a Zuma (think small Laser) and a share in a Hobie 18. We also plan to have a row boat or some kayaks at some point.

* Thank you to the following for the use of images on this site: Pete Kennedy (aerials of Kingstons lighthouse and creek), Pierce Johnston (Scenic Hudson), Carol Comegno (dinghy sailing), gopaddling.info (kayaking), Hudson Maritime Museum (Rowing on the creek)