Sidmouth Watersports Hub

20/11/2025

*** A big Thank You to Sidmouth Rotary ***

Our thanks to Sidmouth Rotary for yet another contribution to our Access 4 All project. We’ll be posting a full update on the project shortly but need to acknowledge the great support which we’ve received from our local Rotary group.

They responded immediately to our initial request for financial assistance and we had a site meeting with David Hodge, Graham Beeson and Simon Wood at the Hub. This led to us re-thinking the scope of the project, opting for an internal platform lift with better access to an accessible toilet, a redesign which proved more attractive to other potential funders.

We were then able to raise over £1,600 through two Hub teams taking part in the Rotary Swimathon. They provided a further grant of £2250 linked to the Crowdfunding campaign and have recently approved a further contribution for the new toilet facility. All in all a great local and practical help in developing this community facility for everyone’s use.

Thank you, Sidmouth Rotary !

18/08/2025

** Big thank you to Sidmouth Lions Club **

A big thank you to Sidmouth Lions Club who have donated a generous £600 to our project!

Sidmouth Lions Club is a registered charity, serving the local communities of Sidmouth, Sidford, Sidbury, Newton Poppleford, Tipton St John and Branscombe. Within these areas, the Lions raise money for charitable causes through a variety of fundraising events.

The Lions motto is "We Serve" and the funds they raise are used to undertake community services, such as entertainment and Christmas parties for the elderly, to support various youth related activities and to help people in need and people who are less able. They have certainly served us and the community we support too!

We are now nearly at the initial £30,000 raised - just a little more to get us over this target. Work will hopefully be starting on the lift shaft soon.

02/08/2025

Our cafe at the Watersports Hub will be open every day of Folk Week. We have breakfast baps, cream teas and a pint in the evening, and all with the best view in town. The proceeds will go to our project to make the hub fully accessible.

25/07/2025

Sidmouth Watersports Hub Awarded Charity Status as Community Transformation Continues.

SIDMOUTH — July 23, 2025

🌊 Exciting News from Sidmouth Watersports Hub! 🌊

We’re proud to announce that The Hub has officially been granted charity status! 🎉

From our roots as the Sidmouth Sailing and Sea Angling Club back in 1970, we've grown into a welcoming space for sea lovers of all kinds—offering activities like sailing, gig rowing, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, yoga, and even dolphin watching. 🛶🐬

We’ve also launched our Access4All campaign to make The Hub truly open to everyone. With help from Sport England, local businesses, and generous supporters, we’re raising funds to install a lift and improve accessible facilities.

So far, fundraising events have included:
✅ Tim Butler’s Everest Challenge
✅ A community jumble sale and auction
✅ A charity rowing challenge from Sidmouth to the Isles of Scilly (on indoor rowing machines!)

🎟️ Our Grand Draw is live too, with amazing prizes like:
🏡 A luxury weekend in Rock, Cornwall
🏡 A week in a stunning local cottage

We’ll be open during Sidmouth Folk Week and Regatta Weekend, so stop by, learn more, and get involved!

📧 Want draw tickets or more info? Pop in or email us at: [email protected]

Thank you for supporting your local watersports hub—here’s to an even more inclusive future for Sidmouth’s waterfront!

07/07/2025

Row, row, row the boat.....safely to the Isles of Scilly. Well not quite but almost.

On the 18th and 19th of July, a team of six foolhardy individuals from the Gig Club will gather as a team to row the equivalent distance from Sidmouth to the Isles of Scilly, the location of the Cornish Pilot Gig World Championships, a total of 232km (144 miles) on an Ergo rowing machine to raise money for the Access4All project.
Commencing after the planned Auction of Promises on the evening of Friday 18th July, Julia, Edith, Charlie, Nigel, Philip and Richard W will row alternately until the distance has been completed, an anticipated 18 to 20 houses of unrelenting effort, aiming to complete the challenge by late Saturday afternoon. Good luck to all involved and let's support them!

Support them by Crowdfunder here:

The Access 4 All project aims to transform the hub into a modern, accessible asset for watersports participants and the wider community.

03/06/2025

Tim Butler is attempting to complete an Everesting challenge today, 3rd June. He will be cycling up and down the same hill to the equivalent height of Mount Everest (8848 metres).

He will be doing this on Sidbury Hill, which means 60 times up and down! Please support and donate on the Crowd Funding page.

He says please say “it’s an ‘attempt’ as he might not complete it”.

Members of the cycling club are supporting him. Nigel Wi******er is doing the 6:00-8:00am stint. We all wish you good luck Tim 🚴

🚴

01/06/2025

Access 4 All is now live. Our Crowdfunding project to make the Watersports Hub fully accessible.

26/01/2025

Over 40 would-be Scots having great fun at the Hub yesterday evening for Burns Night.

02/12/2024

Application to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation

The Sidmouth Watersports Hub (The Hub) (previously The Port Royal Club) has since 1970 when it was formed been a Trust with 4 trustees appointed by the Angling and Sailing Clubs. We are In this model the Hub does not have limited financial liability and the risk and accountability lies with the Trustees.

We are currently in a position where we only have two remaining trustees, both of whom wish to stand down. It is therefore an opportune time to consider what would be the most appropriate financial structure moving forward. Having considered all available options we are recommending the option used by many sports clubs including others in Sidmouth to apply to become a charitable incorporated organisation.

There will be a briefing and Q&A session at The Hub at 8pm on the evening of Wednesday 11th December 2024. If you would like for information before then PM me and I will let you have a briefing document.

Stephen Smith
Secretary to the Sidmouth Watersports Hub

26/08/2024

The Hub was busy during Folk Week. with food and drink served all day, and plenty to see from the balcony.

05/12/2023

The Hub hosted Sidmouth Tennis Club's Christmas dinner on 2nd December.

25/10/2023

A defibrillator has been installed on the front of the Hub building. This has been done with support from Jay's Aim: https://www.jaysaim.co.uk/