Don’t miss the chance to try sailing in this Olympic year when RYA Push The Boat Out returns to Kent in May!
With Ashford’s Sophie Ainsworth set to fly the Kent flag for TeamGB at Rio 2016, the nationwide Push The Boat Out ‘have-a-go’ at sailing festival, organised by sailing’s national governing body, the RYA, gives all comers the chance to get on the water for FREE or low cost over nine days from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 May, so get the dates in your diary now!
Last year no fewer than 20 Kent sailing clubs and centres ran Push The Boat Out events, with even more set to welcome people to have a go this this year. Events can include dinghy sailing, windsurfing, big boats and yachts and even powerboat rides. Although each event is different, all are geared to appeal to as many people as possible, regardless of age, ability or experience.
One of the extra venues hosting a Push the Boat Out event will be the newly-formed Conningbrook Lakes Sailing Club in Ashford. In partnership with Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, CLSC will host dinghy ‘taster’ sessions while RCPYC will run yacht tasters in Dover. CLSC has been supported by grants from Ashford Borough Council to acquire boats and kit and leading dinghy builders, Topper, are also lending boats for the club’s inaugural season.
Sailing is something all the family can enjoy together and Push The Boat Out aims to showcase what sailing is really all about, from the freedom of being afloat to the social buzz of club life, while dispelling popular myths around the sport’s accessibility and inclusivity too.
More than 65,000 people have discovered the sport through Push The Boat Out since its launch in 2012. Nationally 2015 Push The Boat Out saw almost 28,500 newcomers attend events at almost 350 locations across the UK.
With the British Sailing Team sailors amongst the World’s best, sailing always enjoys a boost in Olympic years and Push the Boat Out is a great way to discover a new outdoor sport to enjoy this summer.
Duncan Truswell, RYA Sport Development Manager, said: “Over the past four years Push the Boat Out has enabled thousands of people who may never have even considered giving sailing a go the chance to try the sport. Many of these have since become club members and volunteers and are inspiring others to follow their lead and try the sport.
“Clubs and centres continue to get better and better at providing a warm welcome, and we are really excited for this year’s Push the Boat Out, which I’m sure will prove even more popular. 2016 is gearing up to be the perfect year to get into sailing.”
Want to know how you can Push The Boat Out in May? Visit www.rya.org.uk/go/pushtheboatout