New ramp helping to Push the Boat Out in Bognor!

The new ramp is bringing smiles to everyone at Bognor Regis YC © Bognor Regis YC

Bognor Regis YC is ready to Push The Boat Out again after the club's new £90,000 ramp was officially opened by the Mayor, Cllr Tony Gardiner, on Sunday 3 May.

The new 34 metre launching ramp, funded by grants of £62,175 from the Sport England Inspired Facilities programme, over £2,800 from Bognor Town Council in addition to almost £8,000 of private donations, will have a significant impact on not only encouraging more sailing in Bognor but on community beach access too.

On Saturday 9 May, Bognor Regis YC welcomed all-comers to make the most of the new ramp and to try sailing for FREE at their RYA Push The Boat Out Open Day. And this weekend (Sat 16-Sun 17 May) they will be doing the same again from 12pm! RYA Push The Boat Out is the national nine-day festival of sailing and windsurfing aimed at introducing newcomers to the sports.

Work got underway on the new ramp last October to provide better access to the water over the beach. Shingle had built up on the beach since the original ramp was built in the '80s and only the top few boards were visible. This made launching and recovering boats very difficult and off-putting, which affected participation.

But the new launching facilities are already paying dividends with Bognor Regis YC already working on a number of new community initiatives including offering free sailing and club membership opportunities to vulnerable local families through Arun District Council's 'Think Family' programme, and partnering with Bognor Sea Scouts.

Joe Elwin, outgoing club Training Principal, said: "Local residents watched the construction with great interest and as soon as the work was finished they have been making much use of our new facility.

"The ramp will enable faster launching and recovery for boats and the club's safety craft and will encourage people to participate more often as there is no longer a hard slog up over the beach. People are now more likely to enjoy an evening sail when time is short or people doing our training courses get longer afloat because of the time saved getting boats on and off the water."

All you need for Bognor Regis YC's Push The Boat Out activities this weekend is warm clothes, soft-soled shoes and a waterproof and the club will provide the rest. Bognor Regis YC is a recognised RYA Training Centre meaning it conforms to the highest standards of quality and safety.

Meanwhile as the new ramp is making headlines for the club at home, three of the club's windsurfers, John Oliver and twins Peter and Richard Crosby will be flying the Bognor Regis YC flag when they take part in one of the world's most iconic windsurfing events, Defi Wind in Gruissan in the south of France, between 14-17 May.

More than 1,200 windsurfers from across the globe attend Defi Wind, making it the biggest gathering of windsurfers in the sport. Raced in strong breeze, there is no maximum distance for a race and one race can be as much as 40km. This year no fewer than 12 windsurfing world champions will be taking part in the event too.

For more information on how you can get involved at Bognor Regis YC this year visit www.brsailingclub.com or for more information on RYA Push The Boat Out see www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo