Sailing in Lee-on-the-Solent

Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club, racing and getting on the water

Lee-on-the-Solent has one of the finest sailing positions on the south coast of England. The town faces directly onto the Solent, one of the busiest and most varied sailing waters in the world, and the local sailing club has been at the heart of community life for decades.

Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club sits at the western end of the seafront, with direct access to the water from its slipway. The club is open to members and offers a full programme of dinghy racing from spring through to autumn. The racing calendar includes weekend series, midweek evening races during the summer, and open events that attract visitors from across the south coast. The club sails a range of dinghy classes, and there is a strong tradition of welcoming newcomers alongside experienced racers.

For those learning to sail, the club runs RYA-accredited training courses throughout the season. These cover everything from absolute beginners to more advanced boat handling and racing skills. Youth sailing is well supported, with junior sessions and a pathway into competitive sailing for young people. The club has produced sailors who have gone on to race at national and international level.

Beyond the club, the waters off Lee-on-the-Solent are used by cruising yachts, motor boats, and commercial traffic. Watching the Solent from the promenade on a summer weekend is a spectacle in itself, with hundreds of sails visible and the backdrop of the Isle of Wight. The annual Round the Island Race, one of the largest yacht races in the world, passes directly in front of Lee-on-the-Solent and draws crowds to the seafront.

Water sports beyond sailing have grown in popularity. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, and kitesurfing are all practised from the Lee-on-the-Solent beach. The sheltered waters close to shore are suitable for beginners, while more experienced paddlers and kiters head further out into the Solent.

The nearest marina facilities are at Haslar Marina in Gosport and Port Solent to the east. Lee-on-the-Solent itself does not have a marina, but the sailing club provides storage for dinghies and small boats.

The Solent's tidal range and currents require respect. The waters are busy with commercial shipping, ferries to the Isle of Wight, and naval vessels from Portsmouth. Local knowledge matters, and the sailing club provides a good introduction to understanding the conditions.

For those who prefer to watch rather than participate, the seafront promenade offers uninterrupted views of the sailing. A pair of binoculars, a flask of tea, and a bench on Marine Parade is a perfectly good way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Lee-on-the-Solent.