Find below what we are currently planning for 2026

Programme page last Updated 30^th  July 2026

Upcoming Events

Thursday 13th August 2026 @ 6:30 for 7:00pm 

 

In August Dave and Liz are hosting the SOCA BBQ at their home in Datchworth.

Please confirm attendance for catering.

Please bring your own drinks.
All profits to Commodores charity. Price tbc.
If you are attending please email commodore@socasailing.org.uk

You can also click on the links below to find out what has happened in the previous few years.

2026 PROGRAMME

When	What	Details
Thursday 10th December 2026	Meeting / Competition	SOCA 2026 Photo Competition This was the annual nautical themed photo contest which included the opportunity for a pre-Christmas social. A selection from the entries will form the basis of a future year’s calendar.
Thursday 12th November 2026	Meeting/Presentation	Jeremy Batch has been booked to to give another of his very interesting presentations.
October/November 2026	Social Laying Up Lunch	SOCA Laying Up lunch. Saturday 7th November @1:00pm at Cowper Arms Digswell, near Welwyn North Station.
Thursday 8th October 2025	Meeting/Presentation	Sailing in Sicily Terry Branston
21st – 25th September 2026	Sailing	September Cruising In Company (CIC) Sailing Weekend (South Coast). Details to be finalised. Trip to Brighton or Poole depending on tides.
September 2026	Sailing	September Cruising In Company (CIC) Sailing Weekend (East Coast). Details to be finalised
Thursday 10th September 2026	Meeting/ Presentation	Saronic sailing presentation by Terry and Stewart
Thursday 13th August 2026	Social	BBQ at Dave & Liz Arnolds
Wednesday 15th July 2026	Social	Dingy Sailing & BBQ This turned out to be the usual happy and most enjoyable evening Thanks to BOSG for for the warm welcome they gave the Commodore and Rear Commodore of SOCA at Paxton Lakes. It was a thoroughly pleasant and peaceful evening, enjoying the sailing dinghies and paddleboards on the water while catching up with BOSG members. BOSG’s hospitality and friendly company were greatly appreciated, the Commodore and Rear Commodore enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with BOSG members while avoiding England playing in the World Cup.  Hats off to Simon for bringing the barbecue, preparing the boats, and helping make the evening run so smoothly. His efforts were very much appreciated..
Thursday 9th July 2026	Social	Sabbatical drinks at RNA W G City or Wrecks of Malta presentation by Tanya and Stewart
Friday 3rd July 2026	Social	An Air Experience Gliding evening. This was an opportunity to fly quietly in the air, you will be with a qualified instructor. You couild have a go at flying if you wish or you colud just sit back and enjoy the flight and the view. First flight cost £42.00, subsequent flights £23.50. Thanks to Bob Leonard for organising.
Thursday 11th June 2025	Meeting/ Presentation	“Manufacture of ELT telescope mirror segements” This non-sailing related talk by Paul Comely looked at how the UK developed a capability to shape the new generation of metre scale mirror segments for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) currently being built in Chile. The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) uses 798 individual hexagonal mirror segments to form a single, massive 39-meter primary mirror. Their primary uses are to collect 100 million times more light than the human eye, take direct images of exoplanets, and measure the acceleration of the universe.This talk looked at how the UK developed a capability to shape the new generation of metre scale mirror segments for the ELT currently being built in Chile.
Thursday 14th May 2025	Meeting/ Social	This scheduled meeting was cancelled due to non-availability of most of the committee. In its place a social get together is planned at the RNA in W G City
Thursday 16th April 2025	Meeting/ Presentation	Eight Years Sailing in France Paul Bragg   Since 2017, Paul Bragg and his wife Elaine have been steadily exploring the west coast of France and northern Spain — and 2026 marks their ninth season cruising this remarkable region. In a very engaging and personal talk, Paul and Elaine explained why this coastline is so easy to fall in love with and so hard to leave.
Saturday March 28th 2026	Social	SOCA held the 2026 Fitting Out lunch at the Cowper Arms. Unfortunately the Commodore, Stewart, was ill so Paul had to step up as Rear Commodore to host the event. 16 people attended and as usual the food was much appreciated.
Wednesday 25 March 2026	AGM/Social	BOSG Fitting Out Breakfast & AGM, held onWednesday 25 March, at D’Parys Hotel.   There was good Member attendance and those that attended appeared to have an enjoyable time.
Thursday 12th March 2026	AGM / Presentations	SOCA 2026 AGM This included the Commodores Report and presentation of trophies plus appointment/election of the new flag officers. This was conducted in person and on ZOOM. New blood on the committee is always welcome so please volunteer if you have an interest in keeping the club going. You can be co-opted anytime during the year,
Wednesday 11th February 2026	Training	A special Training Event on Sea Survival at Hatfield Swimming Pool In conjunction with Mid Herts Diver, SOCA arranged a Sea Survival Liferaft session at Hatfield Swim Centre This was an informal training event based on RNLI, BSAC and RYA safety advice ensuring members learn to use equipment before they are in any emergency situation.
Thursday 8th January 2026	Meeting/ Presentation	ASailing the Norfolk Broads, Narrow Boating and more A talk by Dave Arnold The first talk of the year was given by Dave Arnold, who idescribed how he is staying afloat after the disposal of his East Coast boat Joint Affair.  The first half of the evening focused on sailing a traditional Norfolk Broads yacht. Dave then branched out into other forms of water transport, including life aboard a 66-foot narrowboat – covering his 2025 travels on the Coventry and Ashby canals, along with highlights from earlier trips.