Welcome to Rondout Sailing Club

Welcome to the Rondout Sailing Club, a club that doesn’t currently exist, but I hope it will someday.

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 watercraft. These stretches of water should be havens for small watercraft, but alas, there aren’t many places that cater exclusively to these craft.

A club would help change that by providing members with the convenience of storing their craft at the water’s edge, facilitating 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 its 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 grassroots 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.

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-five years. I moved to Kingston eight years ago with my wife, Aimee, who used to live here many years ago.

My occupation was programming and sometimes making. Aimee works for the Kingston-based O+ Festival. In our spare time, you’ll find us working on our house renovation or sailing.

Boat-wise, we currently have an American Sail 14.6 and a Zuma (think small Laser), which we are hoping to sell. We also plan to have a rowboat or some kayaks at some point.

* Thank you to the following for the use of images on this site: Pete Kennedy (aerials of Kingston’s lighthouse and creek), Pierce Johnston (Scenic Hudson) and Carol Comegno (dinghy sailing)