Push the Boat Out boosts Penarth sailing

Penarth Yacht Club open day © Hamish Stuart

Penarth Yacht Club open day © Hamish Stuart

Penarth Yacht Club got more than 20 new members and has booked up their sailing lessons thanks to opening the club as part of the national campaign to Push the Boat Out.

There was no sailing, for safety reasons because of the tide and the weather forecast, so the fleet of boats was displayed in front of the clubhouse instead.

The opening of the club, combined with a mini-beer festival, saw a steady stream of visitors through the Open Day with club members providing the welcome.

Push the Boat Out Day was run at yacht clubs all round the UK, with the aim to encourage people to try sailing. As a result of the efforts in Penarth there is now a waiting list for the sailing training classes and 22 new members.

"After very careful consideration towards the safety of both the general public and our club sailors, it was agreed there would be no sailing," said Penarth's sailing secretary, Ioan Lavery.

"This was due to the spring tide already ebbing and, without being able to predict the weather forecast, we did not wish to see boats struggling on the water.

"With this change to the plans, it allowed the Sailing Committee to organise a fleet of our boats to be displayed in front of the Clubhouse, along with the Clubhouse being decorated in bunting and banners.

"Members of the public were invited to see that Penarth Yacht Club could not only offer sailing, but rowing, snooker and also a host of social functions that are planned throughout the year.

"The Galley had also put on a mini beer festival to which helped attract a number of guests and club members into the clubhouse and main deck/bar area.

"With a constant stream of visitors until around 6pm, our guests were welcomed by a large number of committed club members, all of whom rigged the boats, supported our guests throughout the day and carried on socialising until the evening was drawn out.

"A visit by Penarth Yacht Club's Vice President, Mr Richard Morgan, to congratulate the club members on the progress of the event throughout the day, was evidenced from our Club Commodore, Mr Martin Duckett, that the event had resulted in 22 new members signed up and that our sail training classes are fully booked, now with a waiting list!"