Avon Sailing Club, which can be found a few miles south west of Tewkesbury on the River Severn, are celebrating their 75^th anniversary this year.

That’s pretty impressive going for a proud, family club that cater for men, women and children of all ages and abilities.

And once they feel the wind in their sails, the club's members keep coming back for more and more.

“I’ve been sailing here since I could walk,” said Pete Keighley, who is now 51. “I guess I was about three or four when I first went out in a boat with my dad.”

Pete’s dad is George and even though he’s just turned 81 he’s still an active member at the club.

“He’s still sailing and he’s still racing, he’s phenomenal,” said Pete. “He needs a little bit of help getting the boat up and down the slipway but he’s still very competitive and he’s still very quick.”

Pete’s older brother Tim is also a member of the club even though these days he lives in Leeds and Pete added: “He still comes down to the club once or twice a year, it shows you what the club means to him.

“When we were younger we used to sail only at the club but when we got older dad used to take us racing all over the country.”

And they were pretty good too.

“We were okay,” said Pete modestly. “We won some local events, we used to sail a Topper.”

They were clearly very happy days and now Pete’s children – Luke, 13, and 11-year-old Ella – are experiencing all that’s good about the sport.

“I got them in a boat as soon as I could,” said Pete, who is married to Sarah and lives in Bishop’s Cleeve. “They’ve both been in boats since they were three onwards.

“They used to crew for me. Ella still does but she can sail on her own.

“Luke has been sailing on his own for about four years, he’s started to win races, he’s a very good sailor.”  

His dad is a big supporter, of course – the interview was interrupted briefly when he took delivery of  a new pair of sailing trousers for Luke – and Pete is happy that both of his children are happy at Avon Sailing Club.

“It’s very much a family club,” said Pete, who works in IT. “I’ve grown up there. I know a lot of the members, it’s like an extended family.

“And for the kids it’s like having 30 parents, it’s a very safe space.”

The sailing club have given a lot to Pete but he’s given a lot to the sailing club.

He served for two years as commodore – he’s been succeeded by Heath Adams – and was also vice-commodore for two years.

His dad was commodore back in the 80s and Pete said: “It’s a lot of hard work but it’s a big honour.”

George has been a member of the club for 50 years and Pete’s wife Sarah is a big supporter although she’s not a sailor.

“She’s never got in a boat,” laughed Pete, “but she’s fully involved in the club.”

So what makes Avon Sailing Club so special?

“The Severn is a lovely stretch of water,” said Pete. “It’s a very pretty part of the world, we’re very lucky to be on the side of such a beautiful river.

“It’s a very nice place to hang out. It’s a lovely outdoor activity and you’re at one with the elements.”

The club have an open day on Saturday17th August when people are welcome to go along and try sailing. For more details, visit https://avonsailingclub.co.uk/