The Port of Falmouth Sailing Association, known locally as PoFSA, was formed in 1964 with the prime function of “promoting sailing in Falmouth”. There are six yacht and sailing clubs around the estuary and all are full members of the Association. These include, Royal Cornwall Yacht Club based in Falmouth itself, Flushing Sailing Club just over the river from RCYC in the village of Flushing, Mylor Yacht Club at the Mylor Yacht Harbour complex, and Restronguet Sailing Club just a short distance along the beach from Mylor. St Mawes Sailing Club is on the east side of the Carrick Roads on the Roseland Peninsula, the clubhouse in the centre of the village and their dinghy quay at the entrance to the Percuil River. After short sail across Falmouth Bay you will come to Helford River, the location of the last of the six clubs, Helford River Sailing Club.
PoFSA is very keen to support the long tradition of Village Regattas around the estuary. These Regattas are organised by village committees and the teas, children’s sports, rowing races, swimming are all part of the fun and games. All the Committees are Associate Members of PoFSA and it is they who have the first choice of dates when we are planning the Annual Sailing Calendar.
Many of the local Class Associations are also members. Classes like the Falmouth Working Boats, Sunbeams, Ajaxes, Cornish Shrimpers, the Gaffers, and organisations like the Falmouth Classics all have a say.
By pooling our resources, we have a great deal of expertise. The clubs organise World, National and Regional Championships. There is racing somewhere in the estuary nearly every day of the week during the season. In August each year we join together to organise Falmouth Sailing Week with up to 200 boats on the water. This is our biggest event of the year.
At the end of 2020 (a rather challenging year) we were proud that Falmouth Sailing Week was recognised as Event of the Year in the prestigious British Yachting Awards.
AGM and Minutes
The Association has its AGM on 26th November at RCYC at 1000. Draft minutes of the 2022 AGM are available here. Minutes are published after being accepted at the AGM and are generally at least a year old.
Meetings
Throughout the year, a Falmouth Sailing Week Organising Committee meets regularly to plan the forthcoming Regatta. Since the Week depends heavily on the efforts of a band of volunteers, there is usually a ‘Volunteer Wash-up & Reception’ about a month after the Regatta where we reminisce and collectively pat ourselves on the back (or not) and have the opportunity to meet the people who are usually on RiBs or committee boats and who we normally see only fleetingly.
Every autumn we have
- a public wash up meeting to review the Regatta: all participants are encouraged to attend, or to submit comments and recommendations for future events
- a meeting of village regatta representatives; it is at this meeting that the dates of future Village Regattas are decided. It's really important that all the Village Regattas are represented (and that they bring their tide tables!).
- and the AGM, where the official business is transacted, dates confirmed, and the officers are elected (if necessary).
Data Protection
The Association's Privacy Policy explains when and why we collect personal information about our members and those who take part in PoFSA organised events, how we use it and how we keep it secure and your rights in relation to it.
Our Charities
PoFSA supports a number of local sailing charities on a rotating basis:
- Mylor Sailability
- Roseland Youth Sailing Trust
- Royal Cornwall Sailing Trust
- Children’s Sailing Trust
Recipients were: the Roseland Youth Sailing Trust in 2021; the Children’s Sailing Trust in 2022; and in 2023 the RCYC Sailing Trust.
