IT’S all hands on deck for May.
Sailing clubs across Hampshire are holding open days to get people afloat as part of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Push the Boat Out campaign.
More than 390 RYA-affiliated clubs and recognised training centres across the UK, will be offering free or low cost sailing and windsurfing taster sessions.
Venues in the Echo area include:
l Lymington Town Sailing Club - May 4
l Weston Sailing Club - May 4-6
l St Denys Boat Club - May 6
l Calshot Sailing Club - May 19
l Hamble River Sailing Club - May 19
l Southampton Sailing Club - May 19
l Testwood Lakes Sailability - May 25
Many venues will also be putting on shore-side activities like barbecues and games for children.
All ages and abilities are welcome, with opportunities for beginners and lapsed sailors, as well as those with disabilities.
Testwood Lakes Sailability will be offering people with disabilities a taster session in a Hansa Access 303 dinghy at Testwood Lakes in Totton.
Each dinghy will be skippered by an experienced dinghy sailor who will aim to provide the novice with a positive insight of the benefits of sailing and how safe and easy these dinghies are to sail.
Their dinghies are accessed via a wheelchair accessible pontoon and they have hoists available to enable wheelchair users to sail.
RYA Programmes manager, Michelle Gent commented: “We are looking forward to another fantastic month of RYA Push the Boat Out events and try sailing opportunities this year.
"Many people don’t realise that there’s a club and a gateway to the water right on their doorstep and it’s a brilliant opportunity to get involved and find out more!”
For more information visit the Push the Boat Out web page, rya.org.uk/ptbo.
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