THE HISTORY OF WWYC

The story of West Wick Yacht Club is one of community, resilience, and a shared passion for the water. From our early days navigating the saltmarshes of Stow Creek to our growth as a hub for local activity, the club has always been shaped by the dedication of its members.

​Whether under sail or power, our members have shared these waters for over fifty years. While the river has evolved, our core values remain the same: fostering a welcoming atmosphere for sailing and motor boating alike, while preserving the unique maritime character of North Fambridge. As we look toward the future, we continue to build on the foundations laid by those who first saw the potential of this special corner of the Crouch.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

PRESIDENTS

VICE PRESIDENTS

COMMODORES

K.C FAWKES, K.J CARGET, C.H HEALS, P.F MAGNESS, W.R MUNDEN, R.W.G WOOLASTON

C.H HEALS

P.F MAGNESS

R.J HARTLAND

M.E CHITENDEN

J. STEPHENSON

1982-1984

1984-1998

1998-2013

2013-2019

2019-2025

P.F MAGNESS

R.F.J HOWE

D.RJ EMMET

G.M LAUDERDALE

D.A TINKER

D. NEWCOMBE

J. STEVENSON

G.J POLLINGTON

1983-1984

1986-1988

1988-1990

1990-2001

2001-2013

2013-2017

2017-2019

2019-2023

C.H HEALS

P.F MAGNESS

R.F.J HOWE

D.R.J EMMETT

G.M LAUDERDALE

N. OGILVIE

M.F KENWORTHY

M.E CHITTENDEN

J. HARTLAND

A.E OGILVE

D.A TINKER

F.R.J SHILLTOE

N.J GALLIER

G.W THORPE

C.D SLENNETT

D.W THORPE

R. DRURY

J. STEPHENSON

P. MANNERS

M. SAWARD

N. PARSONS

A. ROGERS

1970s: THE PIONEER YEARS

1973 – Gordon Hooper unofficially moved onto the land at Stow Creek before launching West Wick Marina as a new venture.

1973 – Ken Garget, a friend of Gordon’s, applied to Maldon Council to dredge and develop the creek for moorings; the proposal faced significant environmental and legal challenges.

1974 – While legal battles for the creek continued, Gordon Hooper allowed the early group of sailors to use timber huts on the creek's edge as a makeshift social hub.

1975 – After several years of lobbying, Ken secured permission for 50 boat moorings.

1977 – Ken made a second push to create a formal registered boat and yacht club, meeting with limited initial success.

1978 – On 5 February, Ken Garget and a steering committee (K. Fawkes, C. Heales, B. Woolaston, B. Mundon, P. Magness) laid the groundwork for a formal club and future clubhouse.

1978 – In March, West Wick Yacht Club (WWYC) was officially formed and affiliated with the RYA.

1980s: THE FOUNDATION ERA

​1982 – The club established its regional reputation by hosting its first major Open Meetings for the Heron and Gull classes.

​1984 – The clubhouse was built using two prefab buildings and opened by the local vicar, Revd Harrod, alongside RYA and Sea Cadet representatives.

​1987 – The Great Storm of 1987 tested the club; the natural shelter of Stow Creek and Ken Garget’s reinforced moorings saved the fleet from destruction seen elsewhere on the river.

​1988 – The club celebrated its 10th Anniversary, marking its transition from a start-up to an established local community.

1990s: THE CORINTHIAN AGE

1990 – WWYC became a founding member of the "Crouch Shield," a competitive inter-club racing series for the upper reaches of the River Crouch.

​1994 – The club partnered with the Ferry Boat Inn for a major village regatta, featuring technical river racing and traditional "water frolics."

1996 – The "West Wick Heron Open Trophy" was established, cementing the club's status as a premier regional hub for the Heron dinghy class.

1999 – Before the digital shift, the club maintained a tight-knit community by posting physical newsletters to members each month, detailing news and cruising highlights.

2000s: THE CHAMPIONS DECADE

2001 – WWYC achieved RYA Champion Club status, recognising its excellence in junior race training.

2002 – In August, the club hosted the RYA Heron National Championships. 22 boats competed, with Paul Pelling (URYC) winning every race.

2002 – A massive volunteer effort saw the clubhouse kitchen completely replaced and modernised.

2003 – On 27 June, the club celebrated its own Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary) with an event attended by 150 people, featuring Saturday stalls and festivities.

1998 – The marina was purchased by Yacht Havens Group and rebranded as Fambridge Yacht Haven.

2004 – The club hosted the Adnams ACE regatta for RS Fevas and Herons.

​2008 – The club celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a series of special Anniversary Pursuit Races.

2010s: THE PARTNERSHIP LEGACY

2012 – As part of the "Olympic Legacy," WWYC hosted open days that introduced a record number of local residents to the water.

2012 – In collaboration with North Fambridge Yacht Club and with sponsorship from the marina, the club introduced the Fambridge Yacht Havens Winter Series.

​2018 – WWYC celebrated its 40th Anniversary and launched its first-ever website and the West Wick Yacht Club Diary publication.

2019 – The club expanded its training programme by purchasing its first three Topper dinghies.

2020s: DAWN OF A NEW HORIZON

2020 – During the pandemic, the club remained active under Nick Parsons' leadership, though the clubhouse building was sold to Fambridge Yacht Haven.

​2022 – A sponsorship deal with Fambridge Yacht Haven secured the use of the Dinghy Park for all club members.

2024 – A renewed committee drive successfully recruited new members and set a fresh vision for future developments.

2025 – The club replaced the old trophies, introducing The Commodores' Trophy, The Cruising Trophy, and the prestigious Philip Magness Trophy.

1990 – The first club trophies were created and used each year up to 2017.

2002 – Celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee, the club organised an August Jubilee regatta to Ipswich in celebration of Her Majesty.

2018 – Due to inefficient manpower to run the clubhouse, WWYC relinquished the lease from Fambridge Yacht Haven, and it was rebranded as The River Breeze Bar & Cafe.

2026 – The club continues to prosper, strengthening its growth.

1998 – Fambridge Yacht Club purchased the clubhouse and leased it to WWYC on a 20 year lease.

1998 – Many members of the club cruised down to Havengore Creek for the inaugural opening of the Havengore Bridge.