Try a Race as Crew
Experience Sailing in Southampton Water
Do you want to gain experience sailing in Southampton Water? Maybe you don’t have your own boat, or just want to have a go at racing. Let us know and we’ll try to match you up with a competing yacht for one or more races. It’s a great way to find out whether you enjoy racing, and get to know some friendly yachties.
gain experience
Acting as crew builds your sailing experience in a variety of boats and conditions.
Near you
SWSA competitors are based both sides of Southampton Water, so we’ll try to find a boat near you.
try for free
The skipper pays the race entry fee so as crew your commitment is just to turn up and have fun!
Yes, I'd love to crew
Just complete this simple form and we’ll do our best to match you up with a cruiser racing with SWSA.
Experience Yacht Racing with Southampton Water Sailing Association
We are keen to encourage sailors to give racing a try, so you’ll find many of our competitors are happy to enlist the services of a willing crew. You don’t have to be a member of any club, just be prepared to follow instructions and throw yourself into the fun of a friendly race.
Help with sailing qualifications
It’s not always easy to find opportunities to sail, especially if you are taking qualifications and need to put what you have learned into practice. Offering to crew for a race competitor allows you to make contacts in the local sailing clubs, as well as giving you an organised focus for your sailing experience.
Beginners to expert sailors are all welcome
Whether you are learning to be a competent crew, a dinghy sailor wanting to try a larger boat, or just want to take a back seat we aim to put you in touch with a skipper. You may be able to crew for a single race (we have many available) or a whole series… it may even lead to regular crewing opportunities.
See if you like racing
For some, competition is in the blood. Others may need to taste the air, feel the energy and emotion of racing before they get hooked. And maybe it’s not for you. Sailing a race as crew is probably the simplest, cheapest way to try.