Try sailing in May at SESCA's RYA 'Push the Boat Out' Open Day
by Mike Steele 23 Apr 2019 18:44 BST
5 May 2019
SESCA's 'Push The Boat Out' Open Day © Mike Steele
The St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Association is one of hundreds of clubs and centres across the country getting involved in the annual RYA 'Push the Boat Out' campaign in May. The nationwide 'have-a-go' campaign gives all comers the chance to try sailing for free.
SESCA, based at Lackford Lake (IP28 6HX), 5 miles NW of Bury St Edmunds, will be holding its Open Day event on Sunday, May 5 from 10.30 am 4 pm. Weather permitting, sailing taster sessions and joy rides will be run on an as available basis. Buoyancy aids will be provided but please bring soft soled shoes, a towel and a change of clothes if you want to sail - as you may get wet! The Club will only be able to take out children over 7 years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Representatives of other organisations that sail at the Club, including the Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket and Mildenhall Sea Cadets; YPA (Young People Afloat); Suffolk Scouts and WASH Sailability (disabled sailing) will be on hand to answer questions.
SESCA is a small, friendly, family orientated club which runs on-water events from the last weekend in March until early November. The Club organises dinghy racing on Sundays and Thursday evenings throughout the summer. The Club also runs RYA sailing courses and coaching sessions for members. A fleet of Club boats is available for hire to members, so it is not necessary to own your own boat if you want to sail.
"Sailing is such an accessible sport and many people aren't aware of the opportunities available close to them or how affordable the sport can be" said Mike Steele from SESCA. "We're inviting the local community to come down to have a go at sailing, see what the Club has to offer and get involved."
More than 90,000 people have experienced sailing at Push the Boat Out events since 2013 with many becoming members of sailing clubs and signing up for training courses. Saskia Clark, Rio 2016 gold medallist, said: "I got into sailing through my local sailing club, so it's fantastic to see so many people given the opportunity to discover what the sport's all about right on their doorstep. "If you want to inspire your non-sailing friends and family to give sailing a go, make sure you put Push the Boat Out in the diary."
For full details about what's going on at SESCA visit www.westsuffolksailing.org.uk or follow the club on Facebook (St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association).
Details of other RYA Push the Boat Out events can be found at www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo