Channel
Welcome to the Channel Section
One of the more recently formed CA cruising sections, it was set up in 2011 to encourage folks in their boats to ‘go foreign’ and to discover and enjoy this wonderfully varied cruising ground almost on the doorstep.
The Channel Section Area
Covering the French coast from the France/Belgium border to Portsall, the section includes the Channel Islands and the south coast of England. The varied landscape, tides and culture are a delight. The cliffs from Calais to Le Havre with Dieppe, St Valery en Caux and Fecamp give way to the low sandy beaches south of the Seine estuary starting in Honfleur through to Barfleur. The fascinating and thought-provoking history of the D-Day landings makes this particular part of France memorable.
Having crossed the Channel for many people, Cherbourg is the first port of call. It is a convenient place to start cruising the coast to the east or to the west into the Channel Islands. The Channel Islands and adjacent coast of France combine superb sailing with excellent opportunities to use the tides and to hone your pilotage skills.
The North Brittany coastline is stunning with plenty of options for having a good time out at sea or in the many attractive harbours, ports and rivers. There are plenty of secluded anchorages to forget busy lives and to slow down. To the west, beyond L’Aberwrac’h, turn south through the Chenal de Four into the Bay of Biscay, and on to a neighbouring section.
Being part of our Section
Section members enjoy the diverse cruising available in the area and benefit from being part of the Channel cruising network. It provides support and information for those at sea along this coast and company if you want it. There are very good CA berthing discounts in Cherbourg and the Opale coast marinas in Dunkerque, Gravelines, Calais, Boulogne-sur-mer and Etaples-sur-mer. There is also a network of local representatives (HLRs) who live and work locally and are on hand to offer advice and assistance should you need it. The section can arrange cruises in company and rallies for those who enjoy the more social aspects of cruising.
Forthcoming Events
Interested in Finding out More?
Please contact the Section Secretaries, Bob and Sue Garrett, at channel@theca.org.uk or
CA staff at office@theca.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 537 2828.
Cruising Sections
Baltic
Covers the Baltic Sea, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Faroes. Holds a popular introductory seminar every spring.
Biscay
Covers Western France, Spain and Portugal as well as crossing Biscay. Holds a popular introductory seminar every spring.
Blue Water
For those sailing outside of European waters. Holds a popular Blue Water seminar in the summer.
Celtic
Covers waters from Land’s End to Cape Wrath. Meets at various west coast venues to share knowledge on all aspects of cruising the region.
Channel
Covers Northern France from the Belgian border to Normandy and the South Coast of England. Holds a popular introductory seminar every spring, and organises summer rallies.
European Inland Waterways
Covers over 30,000 km of navigable rivers and canals passing through over 20 countries. Meets spring and autumn at CA House.
Mediterranean
Covers the Mediterranean from Spain and Morocco in the west to the Levant in the east, and includes the Black Sea. Meets at CA House in the winter, and afloat in the summer.
North Sea
Covers the UK, Belgian and Dutch coasts. Meets at East Coast venues to share knowledge on all aspects of cruising the region.
Local / UK Sections
Antipodean
For members who live in Australia and New Zealand and who sail in the Northern Hemisphere.
CA London
CA London events are held at our Limehouse HQ.
East Midlands
Talks are held in various venues in the East Midlands.
Essex
Meetings held at Blackwater Sailing Club and mid-week lunches arranged.
Kent
Winter talks are held in Maidstone, and joint rallies are organised with Essex and Suffolk sections.
Solent
Summer rallies with weekend meets. Winter talks with ‘club’ suppers usually at a Hamble yacht club or marina.
South West
For members living in or cruising the areas from Portland Bill to the Isles of Scilly and along the north coast of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset to Bristol.
Suffolk
Joint meetings are arranged with the Royal Harwich Yacht Club at Woolverstone.
Thames Valley
Winter talks are held at the Upper Thames Sailing Club in Bourne End near Marlow.
Wessex
Talks are held at Parkstone Yacht Club, Poole.
West Midlands
Year round events held at Severn Motor Yacht Club, also winter meetings held at Ashwood Social Club Kingswinford.
