No fewer than six sailing clubs and watersports centres in Northamptonshire and Banbury will be offering locals free and low cost opportunities to get out on the water and to try a new sport this May. Cransley SC, Hollowell SC, Northampton Watersports Centre/ Northampton SC and Rugby and Daventry SC will all be opening their doors for ‘have-a-go’ sessions between Saturday 9th and Sunday 17th May as part of national RYA Push The Boat Out 2015.
RYA Push the Boat Out is a nationwide festival of sailing and windsurfi ng introducing newcomers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to the sports. For the fi rst time ever, Push The Boat Out will run over nine days - two weekends and fi ve weekdays - to give people even more chance to have a go! Last year 260 clubs and centres in Britain hosted Push the Boat Out events with 17,000 people trying sailing or windsurfi ng for the fi rst time over one weekend. Cransley SC was one of the big success stories taking over 200 visitors sailing.
Meanwhile, Banbury SC, on Boddington Reservoir, and Middle Nene SC near Thrapston, will be hosting their traditional annual Open Days over the Bank Holiday weekend, on Sunday 3rd May and Monday 4th May respectively.
Each Open Day and taster session will be different depending on what activities each club or centre offers, but all events are geared to appeal to the widest possible range of people, showcasing what the sports are really all about, from the freedom of being on the water to the social buzz of club life, and highlighting just how accessible sailing actually is to everyone. All you need for any of the Open Days or ‘have a go’ sessions are warm clothes, soft soled shoes and a waterproof, and the clubs/centres will provide what else you need. Booking is essential for some of the activities. Refreshments will be available and a friendly smile guaranteed, as BBQs and other social activities also take place to give newcomers a warm welcome.
In 2014, the nation’s sailing clubs gained more than 1,000 personal memberships through Push The Boat Out with more than 500 families also becoming members of the clubs they visited. For full details on RYA Push The Boat Out 2015 and what’s going on in your area visit www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo
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