Yachting is only a recent sport in Thames, it seems the local populace were more intent on mining gold for such outside activities. The Thames Sailing Club was formed on 15th January 1944 with a total of six 14ft boats. The following year six more boats were added, two of them being 18-footers but were soon to be found unsuitable in the shallow waters and quickly replaced by 14's. By 1945 the club had already restricted it's membership to boats of 14ft and under.

1949 saw the first major improvement when the start and finish line was moved to the Southern end of Tararu beach, and an old mine tip levelled out and a concrete ramp laid next to it. The Thames Harbourmaster's office on the Burke St Wharf was purchased, then moved and erected on the levelled area next to the ramp becoming the first club-house (see two pics below).