the Hampton Court Model Yacht Club is here to help you get started. We are a sailing club located in Kingston upon Thames and have been operating since the 1890s. Our club is situated in Hampton Court's Home Park, which provides a picturesque backdrop for model yacht racing.
If you're interested in joining us, we encourage you to come down and experience the beauty of our surroundings and the thrill of model yachting. We have a dedicated sailing programme that can be found on our website, which outlines the different events and races that take place throughout the year. This programme is regularly updated and distributed to all our members.
One of the highlights of our racing calendar is the annual Charity IOM Open Meeting, which is scheduled for January 7th, 2024. This event is a great opportunity for IOM sailors to join us and support our chosen charity, Momentum. Over the years, this event has raised over 2500 for charity, and we hope to continue this tradition.
In addition to our own events, we also host open meetings for various classes of model yachts. Some upcoming open meetings for 2024 include the DF95 M&S District Travellers Trophy, the M&S District IOM Championship, and the A Class Open Meeting. These open meetings attract sailors from different clubs, creating a competitive and friendly atmosphere.
Safety is also a priority for us, and we want our members to feel secure in the knowledge that we have a defibrillator on-site in case of emergencies. We encourage all members to familiarise themselves with its operation by watching a short YouTube video on our website.
We take pride in celebrating our members' achievements, and recently we crowned Mike Stroud as the winner of the 2023 Radio A Class Autumn Series. Additionally, Colin Trower emerged as the victor of the Christmas Pudding Race in 2023, proving his sailing skills and perhaps adding a touch of humour to the results with a mix-up in the announcement.
At Hampton Court Model Yacht Club, we are not just about racing and competition. We also strive to foster a sense of community among our members. We have an active Facebook page where you can find updates and engage with fellow enthusiasts. You can also follow us on Twitter for the latest club news.
We understand that model yachting can be an investment, which is why we have a section dedicated to for-sale and wanted items on our website. Whether you're looking to purchase a model yacht or have one to sell, this section can serve as a valuable resource.
Lastly, we have included a photo gallery on our website, showcasing some beautiful moments captured during our races and events. We hope that these images can convey the excitement and joy that model yachting brings to our members.
If you're interested in model yachting and want to be part of a vibrant and friendly club in Kingston upon Thames, we invite you to join us at the Hampton Court Model Yacht Club. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing our love for this exciting sport.