Find below what we are currently planning for 2025
Programme page last Updated 24th November 2025
Upcoming Events
Thursday 11th December 2025 at 7:30pm at RNA W G City
SOCA 2025 Photo Competition
This will be the annual nautical themed photo contest which includes the opportunity for a pre-Christmas social. A selection from the entries will form the basis of a future year’s calendar.
Plus you can pick up your 2026 Calendars
Thursday 8th January 2026 at 7:30pm at RNA W G City
The Coventry Canal and the Ashby Canal are two distinct but connected waterways in central England. The Ashby Canal connects to the Coventry Canal at Marston Junction and is known for being a lock-free, rural waterway, while the Coventry Canal is a historic and significant route that forms part of James Brindley’s “Grand Cross” network.
You can also click on the links below to find out what has happened in the previous few years.
2025 PROGRAMME
| When | What | Details |
11th December 2025 | Meeting / Competition | SOCA 2025 Photo Competition This will be the annual nautical themed photo contest which includes the opportunity for a pre-Christmas social. A selection from the entries will form the basis of a future year’s calendar. |
13th November 2025 | Meeting/Presentation | Navigating the Crinan Canal. A talk by Andrew Davidson Andrew presented details of his trip through the Crinan Canal in Scotland. This was a very well attended meting both at the RNA and with several members joining in via Zoom. |
| 8th November 2025 | Social Laying Up Lunch | SOCA Laying Up lunch. This was held at the Cowper Arms, Welwyn North. |
9th October 2025 | Meeting/Presentation | Jeremy Batch presented “Slightly pear-shaped: the story of Mapping and Surveying“ another of his very interesting talks on the topic of navigation, |
12th September 2025 | Sailing | September Cruising In Company (CIC) Sailing Weekend (East Coast). This was organised by Alex for the weekend starting 12th September. |
11th September 2025 | Meeting/ Presentation | Sailing Life in North Norfolk.. A Talk by Paul Comley. This looked at North Norfolk Sailing, centred around the area of Wells next the Sea and its neighbouring havens. Covering accessing the ports, Paul’s experiences, their attraction, together with some of the local history that makes them what they are today. Click here for more details. |
| 14th August 2025 | Social | As is usual in the sailing season many members are away sailing taking advantage of the good weather. Therefore we intend to hold an informal drinks and chat at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City |
20/21-23/24 July 2025 | Sailing | Sailing The Solent, 20/21 – 23/24 July 2025 BOSG Member Peter Parry Okeden invites you to ‘Sail The Solent’ on S/Y River Song, a Dufour 380 GL. Click here for more details |
11th July 2025 | Social/Activity | BOSG Air Experience Gliding Friday 11 July 2025 An event organised by BOSG.at The Cambridge Gliding Club. Sue & Keith and Bob represented BOSG. Good fun and a unique experience was much enjoyed by all attendees. |
10th July 2025 | Social/Sailing | Dingy Sailing & BBQ At The Paxton Sailing Club, Jan, Bob, Colin & Elaine, Peter & Maureen were augmented by a good turnout from SOCA. Terry, SOCA Commodore, managed to fit this in before going on holiday. Initially the lake presented a mirror smooth calmness – but light airs appeared and 3 sailing boats travelled extensively up and down the lake via enthusiastic crew. Simon organised everything perfectly, — prepped the boats and set up & fired up the BBQ, and cleared up. |
12th June 2025 | Meeting/Social Night | Paul Gillions gave a very interesting and informative talk covering the RNLI‘s history and organisation but he focused primarily on the day-to-day operations of the lifeboat and lifeguard service illustrated with filmed footage of actual rescues and the stories that go with them. |
May 2025 | Sailing | May Sailing Weekend (East Coast). The East Coast rally, Details to be Arranged. Hopefully we will be joined by members from BOSG & NOSCA. |
8th May 2025 | Meeting/ Presentation | Sailing Around St Lucia and St. Vincent. A talk by Terry Branston. He discussed sailing all around both islands, the customs clearance that was involved in sailing from one island to another and the local culture. |
| 15th April 2025 | Social | BOSG Fitting Out Breakfast at D’Parys |
| 10th April 2025 | Meeting/ Presentation | A talk that told the story of a group of SOCA members who enjoyed a Greek Flotilla holiday to the South Ionian Islands in October 2024. |
29th March 2025 | Social | SOCA held the 2025 Fitting Out lunch on Saturday 29th March at the Cowper Arms in North Welwyn. Click here for details |
13th March 2025 | AGM / Presentations | SOCA 2025 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, |
13th February 2025 | Meeting/ Presentation | Exploring The Rivers of Western France. A Talk was given by Paul Bragg and as usual it was very interesting and professionally presented. Paul and Elaine Bragg have had some exciting adventures navigating the rivers of Western France, taking their Island Packet 380 sailing boat, Jennie B, into some fascinating and lesser-known locations. Their journey presented a series of challenges, from avoiding low bridges and navigating narrow channels to dealing with shallow waters. But the rewards have been equally varied—from anchoring in serene, sheltered spots to mooring in the heart of lively, vibrant towns. This talk highlighted the endless opportunities for discovery on the waters of Western France and demonstrate that there’s always somewhere new and exciting to explore by sailboat. |
8th February 2025 | Training | First Aid Course. A RYA full day First Aid training course was given by Ashley Cato Barton Turf Adventure Centre. |
9th January 2025 | Meeting/ Presentation | Around The Horn. Presented by Judith & Hakoon Jacobsen. Judith talked about their sailing adventure in Patagonia. From Puerto Montt to Puerto Williams and around Cape Horn. Three months in an incredibly place to sail. Dolphins and Penguins followed them on their trip. Views of Glaciers and the Great Southern Icefield. Anchoring in small Caletas enjoying books of Slocum and Tillman, who inspired places to stay for the night. Sometimes waiting for days for the weather to improve when it blew 60-80 knots. Once eating lovely Centollas (a kind of King Crab), that nice fishermen gifted them. An extra 160 nm provided the possibility to vist Puerto Natales and the fabulous National Park: Torres del Paine. As the [Coup de grace], they were able to land on the Horn and visit the family stationed at the light house. |