Walton & Frinton Yacht Club

Walton and Frinton Yacht Club (WFYC) stands as one of Essex's most distinguished sailing institutions, with a rich maritime heritage spanning over a century. First established in 1908, the club has evolved from humble beginnings into a premier sailing destination on England's east coast.

The club's origins trace back to the Walton-on-the-Naze Sailing Club, whose first general meeting was held at the Albion Hotel on 20th September 1910. Initially operating from rented rooms above the local fire station, the club's early objective was "to encourage yacht racing and cruising in local waters, to improve the navigation facilities in these waters and to promote the association of those interested in yachting".

The transformation to its current identity began in 1919, when a General Meeting was held to agree the proposed new Yacht Club, with £2,355 already pledged by 22 members. The club was renamed the Walton & Frinton Yacht Club and a clubhouse was erected on the site of the "Windmill on the Backwater". The building ingeniously incorporated a dismantled Royal Navy hydrophone station, which became the distinctive Tower that still stands today.

Located at Walton-on-the-Naze, WFYC enjoys a stunning waterfront position overlooking the Walton Backwaters. The club has evolved from a Royal Navy observation tower and a collection of ex-army huts to a purpose-built clubhouse and RYA Training Centre. Today, it serves as both a sailing hub and social venue, offering facilities for dinghy sailing, cruising, and various watersports activities while maintaining its reputation as a family-friendly community where maritime traditions continue to thrive.