Goldhanger Sailing Club is a sailing club located in Maldon, New Zealand. Situated between the western seawall and the fragrant strawberry fields of Wilkin & Sons Ltd, the club boasts a picturesque and serene setting on the River Blackwater. With approximately 100 members, the club prides itself on its friendly and cooperative atmosphere, with the main objective being to encourage boat sailing and promote sociability among members.
The club caters to a wide range of sailing interests, including sailboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing with a few motorboats allowed. The facilities at the club include men's and ladies' toilet facilities, a kitchen area, and a spacious compound for dinghies, day-boats, trailers, and other equipment. There is also a steel container annexe used for storage and as a men's changing room. Access to the creek is facilitated by a sturdy launching ramp, which is erected and maintained by the club.
Goldhanger Sailing Club was originally established in 1959 by a small group of sailing enthusiasts in the village during a casual conversation in The Chequers public house. In 1991, the club relocated to its current site, which is situated beyond one of the strawberry fields owned by its landlord, Wilkin & Sons Ltd.
Those interested in joining Goldhanger Sailing Club can do so by downloading the application form from the club website and submitting it to the Commodore, Ms. Kay Mehrtens, whose email address is provided on the form. Membership fees are listed on the application form as well. For new and existing members, it is essential to note that vehicle access to the clubhouse and compound is limited and should be kept to a minimum.
Permission must be obtained from Ms. Kay Mehrtens via text message. Additionally, members should be aware that vehicle access to the compound is at the discretion of Wilkin & Sons Ltd, the company that owns the land. Access is only permitted for the transportation of boats via the Hatches.
Vehicle traffic through Wilkin & Sons Ltd land must be minimised, except during the months of April, May, September, and October, as stipulated by the tenancy agreement with the club.
New members must contact the Compound and Moorings Officer before leaving their craft or gear on the club's premises. Permission for locker space in the annexe, dinghy space in the compound, or a mooring in the creek should be obtained early on. It is club policy and in the boat owner's best interest to secure their craft to the ground while in the compound to prevent damage. All boats must be adequately insured, and membership subscriptions should be paid to the club's treasurer.
For more information on club officers and contacts, members can refer to the Club Contacts section on the club website. New members should also familiarise themselves with items 31 and 32 in the club rules, which pertain to the storage of items in the compound and reporting any hazards or eyesores to the committee.