About the Club

The Rossendale Valley Sailing Club has been in existence since 1968. It’s location at Clowbridge Reservoir near Burnley, high up on the East Lancashire Moors, provides an excellent sailing location. The 90 acre lake situated at a height of over 700ft above sea level provides a first class high wind venue.

The reservoir holds 320 million gallons of water and has a maximum depth of 30 ft. The gathering grounds are between 925ft and 1250ft above sea level and the average rainfall is 48 inches per year.

The club was originally constituted as a dinghy club, supporting fleets of enterprise, laser and fireball dinghies. Following the introduction of windsurfing in the early eighties it was quickly recognised as an ideal inland water to develop the sport. The popularity of windsurfing was embraced by the club and a strong windsurfing membership was established.

Increasing club membership and the launch of the National Lottery provided the club with an opportunity to develop. An application to the Sport England Lottery fund was made in 1997.

After a great deal of work by club members the new Clubhouse was opened in April 2002. The excellent facilities now provided are attracting new members to the sports of Windsurfing and Dinghy Sailing.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is the most popular activity at RVSC. The reservoir is open 12 months of the year and offers all wind conditions from force 1 to 6. There is almost always someone on the water having a great time no matter what their skill level.

Because of the exposed aspect at Clowbridge Reservoir, which is located over 700 feet above sea level; the location provides an excellent high wind venue. The reservoir measures over 400m wide and 600m long providing good reaches in all wind directions.

Dinghy Sailing

RVSC provides an excellent recreational sailing location. The beautiful backdrop of the East Lancashire moors provides an idyllic location for enjoying those balmy summer days.

If excitement is what you are looking for join our windsurfers on those high wind days. Wednesday evenings and weekends attract most sailing activity.

Excellent boat storage facilities are available on site.

Mountain Biking

The moorland around the club is criss-crossed with bridleways and paths and would provide excellent access points for mountain bikes.

Walking & Orienteering

There is excellent access to the surrounding moors from the club. Cars can be parked on the lower car park near to the road.
Access can them be made via the marked Orienteering Course to the footpaths and concessionary bridleways which cover the area, or onto the reservoir perimeter path which was installed in 2001 providing easy walking and access for wheelchairs. There is reserved disabled parking available on the reservoir dam.Orienteering maps can be obtained from the Countryside Ranger at the clubhouse.

Fishing

Coarse fishing is by arrangement with the club.

Annual Angling membership is available.  Please contact the membership secretary to request an application form.