David 'Freddie' Carr names new Tudor SC grant funded dinghy fleet
by Hannah Barnes 16 Sep 2015 11:12 BST
9 September 2015
David 'Freddie' Carr, crew member with Sir Ben Ainslie's Land Rover BAR America's Cup racing squad, was the guest of honour at the Tudor Sailing Club on Wednesday 9th September when he unveiled two new RS Feva dinghies and an RS Quba dinghy, thanks for to a £10,000 from Sport England, supported by the RYA.
A huge turnout, with plenty of youngsters, greeted Freddie, who named the three boats Ben (after Sir Ben Ainslie), Bart (after the late Bart Simpson) and Freddie!
Freddie spent the evening talking to the cadets, telling them what it was like sailing with Team BAR. He spoke of the safety aspects that have been put in place to make sure the team have a good sail. After a few words from Richard Gunn, the Commodore, the boats were ready to be launched! Freddie spent the rest of the evening up to his knees in the water helping to launch boats and talking to parents and club members on the slipway.
"We were keen to get some new dinghies for the club," explains Hannah Barnes, Rear Commodore who helped to organise the event. "The only club boats Tudor SC had were 10 optimists which were great for the younger cadets but too small for teenagers and young adults. The new boats have allowed the club to bridge that gap and offer regular sailing opportunities to the older cadets, families and adult members. They will also help towards the club's long term goal of becoming a training centre
The RYA have vigorously promoted the availability of the Sport England Grants to enable clubs to get more people onto the through their workshops and at the London Dinghy Show, which alerted Tudor SC to the opportunity. Janice Bell, Tudor SC Sailing Secretary wrote the grant while the RYA guided the club, providing a supporting letter and acting as a referee. Janice said "The new boats were exactly what the club needed."
"The boats will be used for cadet sailing every Wednesday evening, club racing, cruising and to help boost club membership," adds Hannah.
Tudor Sailing Club is a family orientated, friendly sailing club situated in Portsmouth, Hampshire. We cater for the needs of dinghy and cruiser (yacht) sailors, as well as small fishing boats and kayaks.
We aim to offer a varied events program to encourage our members to enjoy the sport of sailing whatever their interests. Whether you are keen on competitive racing, or prefer a gentle cruise, there will be something in our program that will appeal. Tudor Sailing Club provides an excellent base for sailing activities, with a slipway that extends down to low water springs, makes launching possible at all states of tide.
Tudor SC has ample storage facilities for boats, with 150 seasonal dinghy spaces and 90 moorings for cruisers. 'Summer only' dinghy spaces can be guaranteed to all new members. We have moorings available for the 2016 season, and offer winter lay up to mooring holders at very reasonable rates.
Interested in joining?
Tudor SC offers reduced rates and no joining fees for members 25 and under. A typical family membership with all year storage for a Wayfarer dinghy costs around £230.
Read more about Tudor SC on our website, www.tudorsailing.org.uk