Record number of people try sailing at Dovestone Sailing Club
by Nik Lever 2 May 2024 19:47 NZST
27 April 2024
Amber Smith, Tom Jowett and Graham Massey during Dovestone Sailing Club's Discover Sailing event © Nik Lever
A record 70 participants took the opportunity to get out on the water during Dovestone Sailing Club's Discover Sailing event on Saturday 27 April.
The day was part of a national Royal Yachting Association (RYA) initiative to give people who may have thought about sailing a chance to try it out and find out how their local club can help them get into the sport. After being kitted out with mandatory buoyancy aids, guests were taken by high-speed powerboat to join the club's expert instructors on dinghies already out on the water, for a half hour sail. A stiff breeze in chilly conditions on Saturday made for an exhilarating ride, and the hot drinks and food on returning to the clubhouse went down a storm.
Club Commodore, Iain McNeill, said "I've never seen such a buzz in the clubhouse - coming off the water everyone was saying how much they'd enjoyed it". "That was great!" seemed to sum it up for many. "Participant ages ranged from 7 to 70, with lots of family groups, some returning sailors, and guests from the local Tameside Sea Cadets", said Iain. "It really is a pastime that can be enjoyed at any age."
The club will be running RYA dinghy training courses over the summer for new members who want to learn to sail. The club has regular sailing sessions on Sunday afternoons, Wednesday evenings, and Friday evenings when the Youth group get together.
Dovestone Sailing Club is set in beautiful surroundings in the Peak District National Park,and has been part of the community in Saddleworth since it was founded in 1967. It has a reputation for its friendly, informal atmosphere and club sailing, but also has a track record of producing World Championship standard sailors. Current Flying 15 European champions Andrew McKee and Richard Jones from Dovestone are getting ready to set off to defend their title at Crozon-Morgat in France in May, while Ian Jones has been competing across Europe in the Laser/ILCA European Masters series, with next stops Belgium and Netherlands.
If you've ever thought about taking up sailing and would like more information, you can find the clubs contact details are on the website www.dovestonesc.org.uk.