Boost in family sailing at Seasalter after £50k grant

The club, based in Faversham Road, built a new boat access ramp over the seawall after its members received a £50,000 grant from the Sports England's Inspired Facilities fund in 2012. Since the unveiling of the access ramp in September last year, Seasalter Sailing Club has seen an increase in new memberships and in the number of families taking part in sailing. Club Vice Commodore, Ian Mills, said: “The original ramp had been in place for 60 years, it was unsightly and unattractive with only the most committed sailors prepared to lug their boats to and from the water every weekend, which was nigh-on impossible to do alone for many of the boats. “Now it is quick and easy to launch a boat, meaning people are much more prepared to do it more regularly. The hassle and physical exertion has been dramatically reduced. “The new ramp also means the beach around the club is being used more by families as members of the public are able to use it for pushchair and wheelchair access to the beach.” The sailing club now plans to build on this success by providing more varied low cost opportunities for local people to get into sailing at Seasalter throughout 2015. It is also looking to invest in two new boats, one of which will be a dinghy that is suitable for families as well as beginner and intermediate sailors. Sam Rowe, the Royal Yachting Association’s Sailing Development Officer for Kent, said: “It makes great headlines when a club gets a big funding award, but this is why these awards do make such a difference to local communities. “We may be closer now to Rio 2016 than London 2012 but projects like this are the enduring legacy of those home Games.”