Articles

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