Huge turn out for RYA Sail for Gold Roadshows

Huge numbers try sailing at RYA Sail for Gold Roadshows © Paul Wyeth / RYA

Almost 1,300 people inspired by Rio 2016 tried sailing and windsurfing for the first time as the RYA Sail for Gold Roadshow toured Britain this week.

Eight venues welcomed anyone to 'have a go' for free as Britain ended the 2016 Olympics as the top performing sailing nation with two golds and a silver medal.

As well as hundreds of volunteers at the host clubs and centres helping to get newcomers to the sport afloat, visitors could also enjoy tuition and be inspired by British Sailing Team members who attended every Roadshow to help celebrate the achievements of their teammates in Rio and encourage people to get into sailing.

It's not too late to give sailing a go as no fewer than 18 more Try Sailing events will take place nationwide throughout the rest of August and September as the Olympic glow carries into the excitement of the Paralympics.

Nine-year-old Amelie tried windsurfing for the first time at the opening RYA Sail for Gold Roadshow at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) on Sunday (14 August).

She said: "It was really so much fun, the best ever! I love dinghy sailing too, and I'm going to get a gold in the 49er FX at the next Olympics!"

Amelie's mum, Melissa, a local teacher, added: "I was so pleased to see so many children taking this opportunity."

Meanwhile, the mum of seven-year-old Archie Samuel, who tried sailing for the first time at Trimpley Sailing Club in Worcestershire on Monday, said the family would definitely be looking to give the sport another go. She said: "We really enjoyed our day at Trimpley. It was a lovely atmosphere and very welcoming."

Giles Scott (Finn) and Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (470 Women) both winning Rio gold and Nick Dempsey RS:X windsurfing silver ensured that Britain topped the best sailing nation table for four of the last five Olympics.

All the RYA Sail for Gold Roadshows were hosted at sailing clubs and centres with close links to the sailors competing in Rio. Many of the clubs were where the sailors had actually learned the ropes themselves as youngsters and all the events took place on their respective Medal Race days.

Celia Edgington, RYA Sail for Gold Roadshow coordinator, said: "It has just been the best week. We couldn't have asked for better weather and with all of Team GB's athletes in Rio really capturing the imagination of everybody back home the appetite for people to try a new sport has been huge.

"The sailing clubs and centres who hosted the roadshows have put in a huge amount of work rallying volunteers, promoting their events and getting as many people out on the water as possible and this just couldn't have been done without them.

"They were all stunning days on the water with many people signing their families up as members and booking on to learn to sail courses on the day. We look forward to seeing even more people try sailing over the next two months too."

Do you want to give sailing a go? Find your nearest Try Sailing event at www.rya.org.uk/get-afloat or to discover your closest sailing club or RYA Training Centre at www.rya.org.uk/wheresmynearest