An historic boat club in Southport has revealed exciting plans for the 2024 season, after securing government funding for impressive new facilities.
The Southport Boat Angling Club has seen craft operating from Ainsdale Beach since the 1970s.
Today there are over 50 members and dozens of vessels, with members forming a close-knit community that ensures everyone is safe and well supported.
For the 2024 season, they are delighted to have secured “a significant grant” which will enable the creation of a brand new building to accommodate tractor storage, a workshop area, training room, kitchen area, toilet and changing facilities for the benefit of sea fishing at Ainsdale Beach.
The Southport Boat Angling Club on Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo supplied by Charles McCabe
The SBAC is a group that is expertly keeping Southport’s traditional seafaring tradition alive and well, with new members welcome to join.
The organisation operates In association with the Angling Trust and the National Boat Angling Club.
Charles McCabe from the Southport Boat Angling Club said: “In 1979 a little-known boat club was formed in Southport.
The Southport Boat Angling Club on Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo supplied by Charles McCabe
“This boat club was made up of a group of fishermen who loved both fishing and boating.
“It always had safety in mind, and it was always considered that there was safety in numbers.
“Back in the early days Southport had quite a hazardous coastline, so they set rules for the club that boats never went out as singles and always informed the coastguard of their plans for the day.
The Southport Boat Angling Club on Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo supplied by Charles McCabe
“Since then, we have had major improvements in the safety resources of both the RNLI and Southport Lifeboat (Southport Offshore Rescue Trust).
“Boating and fishing as a leisure activity is now very popular and we currently have 54 members who between them own 37 boats.
“We are a diverse club and encourage whole families ranging from grandchildren to grandparents.
The Southport Boat Angling Club on Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo supplied by Charles McCabe
“Although not all members own boats there is always a friend or another club member willing to take them out fishing.”
The club offers members the ability to launch their boat with the club’s tractors and also a full stewarding service on a Sunday.
During its stewarding season the stewards will launch and retrieve your boat for you.
There is also safety in numbers as all boats launched on these days are logged and then signed off when recovered.
The Southport Boat Angling Club on Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo supplied by Charles McCabe
Another advantage of being part of the Southport Boat Angling Club is the members’ extensive knowledge of the surrounding fishing areas.
Southport is world famous for its shrimps, but there are other catches to be had too including plaice, bass and flounder.
The club takes part in various competitions within the club and with other surrounding clubs.
The Southport Boat Angling Club on Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo supplied by Charles McCabe
Charles McCabe said: “We launch the boats from Ainsdale Beach using the club’s tractors. These are kept in a compound local to the beach.
“This is supplied by Sefton Council who we have always had a close relationship with as well as the beach rangers, which we greatly appreciate.
“Our official launch day is a Sunday, where we have stewards who remain on the beach from 8am until all the boats have been retrieved who can be found in our SBAC trailer. This service is available from April until October.
The Southport Boat Angling Club on Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo supplied by Charles McCabe
“It is possible for members to use the equipment during the week under strict guidelines.
“We teach both beach craft and the use of the tractors and operate all boats under the RNLI Code of Conduct.
“Our website is SBAC (Southport Boat Angling Club). We hold twice monthly meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month which are held at the Park Club at the side of the Municipal Golf Course.
The Southport Boat Angling Club on Ainsdale Beach in Southport. Photo supplied by Charles McCabe
“As an improvement for the 2024 season, we have secured a significant grant from the Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs to go towards the construction of a new single storey metal framed structure with insulated cladding panels to accommodate tractor storage, workshop area, training room, kitchen area, toilet and changing facilities for the benefit of sea fishing at Ainsdale Beach.
“We always welcome new members, so if anybody is interested in joining the club, please contact the SBAC website www.thesbac.co.uk for more information.”
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