'Push The Boat Out' at Highcliffe Sailing Club 2016
by Sarah Desjonqueres 21 May 2016 18:36 BST
22 May 2016
Highcliffe Sailing Club opened its doors to the public just before 9.30am, Saturday 22nd May, as proud participants in the National RYA Push The Boat Out event #PTBO16. They were overjoyed to see a constant flow of interested parties at their reception desk, either inquiring about the club, its facilities and membership or all kitted up and ready to go out on the water.
There was a team of experienced and enthusiastic club members on hand ready to take nearly 40 people out on a taster experience throughout the day. The welcome visitors represented all age ranges, from those looking to get back into sailing after an absence, to parents keen to get themselves and their children into the sport.
All those coming off the water did so with grins from ear to ear, which considering the unfriendly, wet and windy weather, speaks volumes for just how much fun the sport is. Lucky visitors were treated to a whizz round the harbour in either an RS Quest, kindly on loan from RS, the club Vision or in a club Pico, accompanied on the water by many club members in their Lasers, Wanderers and windsurfers.
The trio of dinghies spent five hours blasting out around the harbour and back again all day, dropping happy visitors off at the pontoon and picking up the next set of excited faces.
The clubhouse served as a cosy refuge for the stream of visitors who came to join in the days events, both those keen to stay dry and those not, where everyone could watch the sailing from the newly refurbished lounge and enjoy the galley offerings, awash with homemade cakes and showstoppers laid on by generous members. The day was, again, a fantastic success and judging by the buzz in the clubhouse, was thoroughly enjoyed by all.