Over 200 try sailing at Upper Thames Sailing Club Open Day

UTSC Open Day © Michael Haigh

Over 200 people enjoyed sailing taster sessions at the Upper Thames Sailing Club (UTSC) Open Day on April 17, and you can see the day compressed into less than two minutes here www.utsc.org.uk/assets/video/Open_day_timelapse.mp4

Club Vice Commodore Sarah Percival says: "What a fantastic day! We had 85 groups of visitors sign in, with over 200 people trying sailing. Nearly 100 club members helped out, 150 burgers and sausages were barbecued, and hundreds of pieces of cake were eaten. The beer ran out at 6pm!"

In the afternoon "Tea by the Thames" raised a record £435 for Sail4Cancer, which was topped up by the stalwarts still tidying up and lingering in the bar to £540. Hitting a target of £500 means one of the sponsors of Sail4Cancer, (Gill, Helly Hansen, Henri Lloyd and Musto) will provide additional funding which will be used to buy more club junior buoyancy aids.

Sarah adds: "Thanks to everyone who sailed, drove a safety boat, served tea, met & chatted to visitors, cleared up, ran the bar, manned the rail crossing, made a cake, told their friends, and more!"

UTSC is an RYA Champion Club, and an RYA approved Training Centre and OnBoard Centre. Visit www.utsc.org.uk

If you missed the UTSC event then you can still try sailing in this Olympic year when RYA Push the Out returns from 14-22 May!

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, so get the dates in your diary now!

You can find your nearest local event here 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

Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 02380 604 159, email or visit www.rya.org.uk