Free Sailing as Black Country Gets Set to Push the Boat Out

No fewer than eight sailing clubs and watersports centres in the Black Country and South Staffs will be offering locals FREE and low cost opportunities to get out on the water and to try a new sport between 9-17 May as part of national RYA Push The Boat Out 2015.

RYA Push the Boat Out is a nationwide festival of sailing and windsurfing introducing newcomers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to the sports. And for the first time ever this year Push The Boat Out will run over nine days - two weekends and five weekdays - to give people even more chance to have a go!

Last year 260 clubs and centres in Britain hosted Push the Boat Out events with 17,000 people trying sailing or windsurfing for the first time over one weekend. 

Himley Hall SC, a finalist in the 2015 RYA Club of The Year Award for Britain’s best sailing club, was one of the success stories filling their RYA learn to sail courses from the 40 first-timers that attended their event.

Each Open Day and taster session will be different depending on what activities each club or centre offers, but all Push The Boat Out events are geared to appeal to the widest possible range of people, showcasing what the sports are really all about, from the freedom of being on the water to the social buzz of club life, and highlighting just how accessible sailing actually is to everyone.

The Black Country clubs already signed up to Push The Boat Out in May include Aldridge SC, Dudley SC, Himley Hall SC and Sandwell Valley SC with Chasewater Outdoor Education Centre, Greensforge SC, Manor Park SC and South Staffordshire SC also hosting events in South Staffs. Some 27 clubs and centres across the West Midlands have signed up to Push the Boat Out in total.

Meanwhile, Blithfield SC, near Abbots Bromley, will be holding their traditional annual Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday 4 May.

All you need for any of the Open Days or ‘have a go’ sessions are a warm clothes, soft soled shoes and a waterproof and the clubs/centres will provide what else you need. Booking is essential for some of the activities. Refreshments will be available and a friendly smile guaranteed as BBQs and other social activities also take place to give newcomers a warm welcome.

In 2014, the nation’s sailing clubs gained more than 1,000 personal memberships through Push The Boat Out with more than 500 families also becoming members of the clubs they visited. For full details on RYA Push The Boat Out 2015 and what’s going on in your area visit www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo

ENDS

For more information:

Karenza Morton

RYA West Midlands Regional Communicator

Tel: 07837 707630

Email: press@tenpointstick.co.uk

Twitter: @RYAMidlands

Website: www.rya.org.uk/regions/westmidlands

About the RYA

·         The RYA is the national body for all forms of recreational, competitive and professional boating.  It represents dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and personal watercraft.

·         The RYA is recognised by all government offices as being the negotiating body for the activities it represents. It continually fights for the rights and freedoms of its 102,000 personal members, the majority of whom choose to go afloat for purely recreational non-competitive pleasure on coastal and inland waters. There are an estimated further 500,000 boat owners nationally who are members of RYA affiliated clubs and class associations.

·         The RYA also sets and maintains a recognised standard for recreational boat training through a network of 2,340 RYA Recognised Training Centres in over 43 countries. On average 155,000 people per year complete RYA training courses.

·         The RYA is committed to promoting all forms of boating and making them accessible to everyone.

·         Love Boating?  Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating.  Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms.  Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers.  Find out more by calling 0844 556 9556, email member.services@rya.org.uk

·         You can find the RYA at RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Southampton, SO31 4YA or visit www.rya.org.uk