Free sailing as Wales gets set to Push The Boat Out
by Hamish Stuart, RYA Cymru-Wales 1 May 2015 12:18 BST
9-17 May 2015
RS Feva sailing in Wales © Adrian Owens
No fewer than 27 sailing clubs and watersports centres across Wales will be offering FREE and low cost opportunities to get out on the water and try a new sport in May as part of national RYA Push the Boat Out 2015 (9-17 May).
RYA Push the Boat Out offers nationwide sailing and windsurfing taster sessions introducing newcomers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to the sports. And for the first time ever this year Push the Boat Out will run over nine days - two weekends and five 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 windsurfing for the first time over one weekend.
Hundreds took advantage of the opportunities around Wales, with nearly 50 people having a go at sailing in Caernarfon, while 20 new members joined Penarth sailing club after being given the opportunity to try the sport.
Each open day and taster session will be different depending on the activities each club or centre offers, but all Push the Boat Out events are geared showcase what the sports are all about from the freedom of being on the water to the social buzz of club life and will highlight just how accessible sailing actually is to everyone.
Welsh clubs and centres already signed up to Push the Boat Out in May include free sailing sessions in Llandegfedd, Llangorse, Merthyr, Cardiff, Sully, Mumbles, Towy, Saundersfoot, Tenby, Neyland, Dale, Tresaith Mariners, Cardigan Bay, New Quay, Dovey, Bala, Pwllheli, Gresford, Royal Welsh and Llandudno.
Reduced charges will apply in Colwyn Bay, Royal Anglesey, Swansea Watersports, Challenge Wales tall ships and One Ocean Sea School in Cardiff Bay.
Some 27 clubs and centres across the nation have signed up in total.
All you need for any of the Open Days or 'have a go' sessions are a change of clothes, soft soled shoes and a towel and the clubs/centres will provide everything else. 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 Push the Boat Out 2015 and what's going on in your area visit www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo