17 places you can try out sailing for free - or cheap - in Kent

Don't miss the chance to try sailing in this Olympic year, with free or low-cost sailing on offer across Kent as part of the Royal Yachting Association's Push the Boat Out campaign. The nationwide 'have-a-go' campaign gives all comers the chance to get on the water for free or low cost over nine days from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 May. Amongst over 320 clubs and centres taking part across the UK are 17 from Kent: Medway Outdoor Education Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club Varne Boat Club Ltd BEWL Sailing Association Bough Beech Sailing Club Whitstable Yacht Club Medway Yacht Club Royal Temple Yacht Club Tonbridge Town Sailing Club Gravesend Sailing Club Broadstairs Sailing Club Erith Yacht Club Hampton Pier Yacht Club Herne Bay Sailing Club Margate Yacht Club Tankerton Bay Sailing Club Wilsonian Sailing Club You can find your nearest local event here http://www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo along with the activities, dates, times, locations and what you need to take. All offer watersport taster sessions for those discovering the sport for the first time or for those returning to the sport. Most of the events are free, a few have a minimal charge. Most of the venues will provide refreshments ranging from the club bar through lunches to afternoon teas and barbecues. More than 65,000 people have discovered the sport through Push the Boat Out since its launch in 2012. Nationally, 2015 Push the Boat Out saw almost 28,500 newcomers attend events at almost 350 locations across the UK. With the British Sailing Team sailors amongst the World's best, sailing always enjoys a boost in Olympic years and Push the Boat Out is a great way to discover a new outdoor sport to enjoy this summer. This year, over 300 venues have signed up, so make sure you don't miss this opportunity to get afloat. Duncan Truswell, RYA Sport Development Manager, said: "Over the past four years Push the Boat Out has enabled thousands of people who may never have even considered giving sailing a go the chance to try the sport. Many of these have since become club members and volunteers and are inspiring others to follow their lead and try the sport. "Clubs and centres continue to get better and better at providing a warm welcome, and we are really excited for this year's Push the Boat Out, which I'm sure will prove even more popular. 2016 is gearing up to be the perfect year to get into sailing." Want to know how you can Push the Boat Out in May? Visit www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo

Sailing club looks to encourage disabled sailors with regatta

A SAILING club in Ashton Keynes is looking to help bring sailing to a greater number of disabled people, having hosted an open regatta last Saturday (April 16) for sailors of all abilities including those with disabilities to show what is possible. The Hansa GP competition is held annually by Whitefriars Sailing Club at Cotswold Water Park, using a class of boats specifically designed for beginners, the elderly and those with disabilities, which are weighted to prevent them tipping over and include specialised controls. The regatta consisted of four races, each featuring a different level of Hansa boat, from simpler single sail vessels to boats with larger rigs and more controls. David Durston, principal of Sailability at Whitefriars,said: “It went really well. There were 40mph winds and temperatures of 3 °C so I think quite a few people were initially put off, so numbers were down on last year. But it was still a great day.” Having set itself a target of attracting 10 new disabled sailors this year, Whitefriars is hoping the regatta will have encouraged those interested in sailing to get involved with the club, including volunteers to help with everything from sailing and safety boat operating, to first aid, food preparation and tea-making. A Royal Yachting Association training centre, Whitefriars offers a range of accredited 'Sailabilty' courses for both dinghy sailing and powerboating, as well as first aid, for disabled people who are interested in learning, led by trained volunteers. The specialised equipment and boats available at the club enable disabled people to learn to sail independently, which includes those with no physical function who are taught using blow-suck controls for the sails and steering. David, 48, is tetraplegic having suffered a spinal injury 17 years ago from diving into a swimming pool on a family holiday. He said: “Sailing is a fantastic sport for people with disabilities because the equipment enables us to compete on level terms, even for those with very severe impairments. "I would really like to reach more disabled people and encourage them to have a go,” he said, adding that many of the sailors at Saturday’s competition were preparing for the World Championships in Holland June 3-10, including himself, so the standard of certain races was very high and was a “good opportunity for people to see what is possible.” He said: “The support team were amazing on the day, with many of the club members getting involved with safety cover, and in the race team for the first time. “They were quite impressed by the high level of racing and competitiveness across all the fleets. “Seeing the Sailability volunteers hoisting 11 sailors into position, filled the new team with awe at what could be achieved in a boat by people with such a diverse range of disabilities.” Whitefriars are hosting a taster day on May 15 for all sailors looking to get involved. Visit whitefriarssc.org for more information.

Macgregor 26x

170 people try out sailing for first time at Jumbles Sailing Club open day

Jumbles Sailing Club opened to visitors helping more than 170 people take to the water. Accompanied by the club’s experienced Royal Yachting Association qualified instructors, first-timers cast off across Jumbles Reservoir on a day of sunshine and "near perfect wind strengths". Club commodore Brian Hoy said: "Over the last three years we have upped our profile by advertising more widely and as a result we have attracted more than 700 people to the event and taken most of those for a sail. "We organise the date of the open day so that a training course starts soon afterwards. Our members love taking people out sailing and we are always strongly supported by them. "The Bolton Sea Cadets have joined us this year and they added a new dimension with their very smart appearance and presentation. We are really pleased to host them at the club and look forward to a long association." Club members were also on hand to answer questions and there was information about the club's junior programme. The club is open every Sunday and runs regular Junior Days on Saturdays and will be open midweek in the summer. For more information visit www.jumblesail.co.uk

Living on a Small Sailboat: Minimalistic Life on the Water

Helford River Children’s Sailing Trust welcomes seven new boats to its fleet

A Trinity House “Elder” dressed in full regalia had his swords ready for keeping order as the Helford River Children’s Sailing Trust celebrated the addition of seven new boats to their fleet. The inspirational children’s charity, which has taught thousands of Cornish youngsters to sail including many with disabilities and special needs, was able to buy the vessels thanks to more than £30,000 of funding support from the Duchy Health Charity, Trinity House and five Cornish businesses. Two new Whaly 435 safety boats, costing £12,000 apiece, were funded by Trinity House and the Duchy Health Charity, which supports projects and organisations promoting health and wellbeing. Meanwhile the Trust’s dedication to young people also won on-going support from the nearby Budock Vean country house hotel, Digs Property, Watson Marlow, Cornish Holiday Cottages and Steve Harman from Gunwalloe who each donated £1,500 towards five Pico sailing dinghies. “Over 20 years the Trust has taken more than 5,000 children out on the river to learn to sail or kayak or row and we’ve seen the huge benefits they gain in terms of confidence and fitness as well as simply having fun in the great outdoors,” said joint chairman of the HRCST, Richard Nathan. “But we couldn’t do any of this without our scores of volunteers and, of course, the good-will and generosity of the organisations and individuals who support the Trust’s work with young people. To be able to add one much-needed boat to our fleet is always great but to get seven at once is overwhelming.” This is the Duchy Health Charity’s third substantial grant to the Trust which it believes makes a real difference to the lives of young people. “We’ve seen time and again how the Trust gives youngsters a unique opportunity to participate in a healthy, life-transforming experience,” said DHC’s Sally-Jane Coode. “It couldn’t be done without an impressive team of volunteers and they couldn’t operate if the Trust wasn’t so brilliantly well run. It’s something which catches the hearts and imaginations of very many people.” The Trust’s 150 volunteers now operate a combined fleet of around 80 craft. The seven new boats, named after their seven sponsors, are replacing other vessels which have seen many years of trusty service. For more information on the work of the Helford River Sailing Trust visit hrcst.org.uk/wp/.

Take to the water for free with Rugby and Daventry Sailing Club

Rugby and Daventry Sailing Club is giving people the chance to try out sailing for free next Saturday (April 16). People of all ages and abilities are welcome to get out on the water at Drayton Reservoir with an experienced club member. Those coming along should wear comfortable clothing and old shoes, as well as waterproofs and sunscreen. Buoyancy aids, equipment and a safety brief will be provided by the club and refreshments will be available. The event takes place between 2pm and 4pm. Anyone who cannot make it will have another chance to try sailing on May 22 and July 23. To find out more about the sessions, upcoming courses and the club in general, visit rdsc.org.uk

Age UK ‘Silver Sailing’ bid to get over 50s on the water

‘Silver sailing’ is coming to Coventry thanks to a new partnership between Age UK Coventry, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sport (CSW) and sailing’s national governing body, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Anyone aged 50+ of all abilities and experience is invited to get involved in subsidised sailing at Draycote Water Sailing Club starting on Thursday 28 April. The sessions, from 10am-1pm, include time for refreshments and are initially set to run every week for six weeks. Dave Montgomery, physical activity development officer for Age UK Coventry, said: ‘These sessions aren’t about being a good sailor, or being 100% physically active, they are about trying something different, getting out of the house, getting outdoors and enjoying what is a very sociable sport. ‘Sailing isn’t a run-of-the-mill activity older people in Coventry would do, they might not have even thought it was possible, but these sessions provide that chance to ignite a new interest. There will be lots of time to enjoy the social side as well as being on the water so whether on your own or with a partner or friends it will be time well spent together.’ Draycote Water SC, situated in the Severn Trent Country Park between Rugby and Southam, is a recognised RYA Training Centre meaning it conforms to the highest standards of quality and safety. The club will supply all equipment sailors will need for the sessions. You just need something warm and waterproof. Brett Cokayne, RYA disability development officer (Midlands), said: ‘Being outdoors and on the water is fantastic for physical and mental wellbeing, and sailing can be as relaxing or physically demanding as you want to make it. Meanwhile sailing clubhouses lend themselves perfectly to encourage the social integration that only comes from enjoying a shared experience with others.’ For full details of how you can get involved in Age UK Coventry’s ‘Silver Sailing’ at Draycote Water SC call 024 7667 4397 or visit www.draycotewater.co.uk

Whitefriars Sailing Club needs more volunteers to help train disabled sailors

A SAILING club in Ashton Keynes is looking for more volunteers to help bring the experience of sailing to a greater number of disabled people, with the sailing season beginning this month. Having set itself a target of attracting 10 new disabled sailors this year, the Whitefriars Sailing Club – based at Cotswold Water Park – need more help in everything from sailing and safety boat operating, to first aid, food preparation and tea-making. The club, a Royal Yachting Association training centre, offers a range of accredited 'Sailabilty' courses for both dinghy sailing and powerboating, as well as first aid, for those both able-bodied and disabled who are interested in learning, led by trained volunteers. The specialised equipment and boats available at the club enable disabled people to learn to sail independently, which includes those with no physical function who are taught using blow-suck controls for the sails and steering. Participants are paired with a boat which best caters towards the type and severity of their disability and experience. David Durston, of Whitefriars, said: “Sailing is a fantastic sport for people with disabilities because the equipment enables us to compete on level terms, even for those with very severe impairments. "I would really like to reach more disabled people and encourage them to have a go. “We have a regatta on the April 16, and we're expecting 20-30 boats from the Hansa Class. Many of the sailors will be preparing for the World Championships in Holland June 3-10, so the standard will be high. “This would be a good opportunity for people to see what is possible." Following a brain haemorrhage at the age of 20, David Craig, Whitefriars publicity manager, now 51, lost the use of his entire left side. He had sailed in his youth but felt it was not something he could do again until he found out about the Sailability courses at Whitefriars. “We’re looking to encourage people who wouldn’t normally think they could do it,” he said. “Some people who are disabled believe they can’t learn to sail. You absolutely can. These specialised boats can’t tip over because of how they are weighted, which means you are safe and can have a good time. “I was under the impression that I wouldn’t be welcome, and you get a lot of people who feel like doing something like this will expose them in some way as being disabled. But that’s certainly not the case. Everyone has a great time.” A broad range of training is given to volunteers, including disability awareness, power boat, sailing, first aid, boat rigging and food hygiene, depending on how much each individual would like to be involved. Sailability operates from April through to October on the water, but the club also aims to train people with disabilities, who so desire, to get involved in racing and other activities as members of the main club, alongside the able bodied sailors. In addition, it is planned that volunteers and disabled sailors may enjoy more social off-shore activities through the winter months in the future. Visit whitefriarssc.org for more information.

Try your hand at sailing at Daventry club

Rugby and Daventry Sailing Club, based on Drayton Reservoir in Daventry (by Middlemore), hosts its early season Try Sailing Day on Saturday April 16 from 2pm to 4pm. Anyone, of all ages, abilities and experience, is welcome to go along and get out on the water (weather permitting) with an experienced club member while getting a taste for all the activities at the club. The Try Sailing Day welcomes people who may never have even considered stepping into a boat before, people who already know they would like to learn to sail but want to sample the sport first or sailors who may be new to the area and are looking for a club or perhaps haven’t sailed for some time. If you can’t make the Try Sailing Day, the club is also running pre-booked ‘taster’ sessions on Sunday May 22, as part of the nationwide RYA Push The Boat Out ‘have a go at sailing’ festival, and another free Try Sailing Day on Saturday July 23. For full details on all the Try Sailing and taster days, upcoming courses and everything else Rugby and Daventry SC can offer visit rdsc.org.uk

Ullswater March 2016

Take to the waves with Pilkington Sailing Club

Pilkington Sailing Club will be holding sailing taster sessions on two successive Saturdays (April 9 and 16) for people of all ages who may be interested. The sailing club is an RYA recognised training centre and offers courses in sailing at all levels. This year's Beginners Course runs throughout the summer on Thursday evenings from April 21. For further information contact pilkstraing@gmail.com

Free sailing sessions in your area during RYA Push the Boat Out 2016