Newtownards Sailing Club was founded in 1964, following a public meeting in the Town Hall, chaired by Stanley Woods, JP and ex Mayor of Newtownards, who became the first Vice Commodore, with the late Lady Mairi Bury as Commodore.
The late Angus Jardine and the late Dr David Park were Rear Commodore and Hon Secretary respectively.? Life membership in those days cost a mere ?50 – a really good investment!
A site for the clubhouse was leased on the east coast of Strangford Lough about four miles south of Newtownards, and the Mount Stewart Estate, which owned the foreshore, agreed to the lease of a slipway. The original clubhouse, which was in use until 2001, consisted of two post-war prefab asbestos clad bungalows with a central entrance hall between them. The prefabs were bought second-hand in Donaghadee and erected at the Club site entirely by volunteer labour of the members.