HOEOCA and our Objectives

About us

The Heart of England Offshore Cruising Association was founded in 1993 by a number of ‘graduates’ of RYA shore based Day Skipper and Yachtmaster courses who wanted to continue both their sailing and social activities. The Club currently has over 100 members and is based in Balsall Common.

Our Objective

The objective of the Club is to promote and encourage all forms of sailing (from cruising to racing) for people who live, primarily, in the West Midlands. We aim to provide opportunities to participate in a variety of activities to enable members to improve all aspects of their sailing skills.

How do we achieve our objective?

By providing training opportunities for both theoretical and practical RYA approved courses.
By arranging sailing rallies for Club members, using a mix of members’ and charter boats.
By arranging for Club members to compete in racing weekends in the Solent, using Racing Yachts.
By organising a programme of speaker nights through the Winter season.
By providing a forum for members to meet and develop their own sailing activities.

During the Winter, we meet twice a month. Club nights are held on the third or fourth Thursday of each month September to April at the Berkswell and Balsall Common Sports Association Clubhouse, Meeting House Lane, Balsall Common, CV7 7GE, starting at 20.00. See Club Location page for map.

See the Diary Events page for dates and topics.

Members also meet informally on the first Tuesday of each month, also at the Berkswell and Balsall Common Sports Association Clubhouse from 21.00 hours onwards. See Location page for address and map.

The Association organizes two official club rallies in May/June and November of each year for those who enjoy sailing with very social overtones; the May/June rally normally ventures cross-channel. Additionally, a more informal group venture somewhere warm for a 'Hot-Hot-Hot' rally in September.

Opportunities for crewing and chartering are available and skippers seeking crew are always welcome.