New Boats Boost To Get More North Kent Locals Sailing

Seasalter adding GRP Miracle and a Laser Pico to its training fleet

Seasalter Sailing Club is looking forward to getting even more people afloat in the Swale and Whitstable Bay this year after being awarded a £10,000 Sport England grant to help the club buy two new club boats.

The new boats were needed to meet increased demand for regular sailing at the club particularly with the difference the club’s Inspired Facilities-funded seawall ramp has made to the number of people visiting the club since the ramp was opened in 2013.

Last year Seasalter saw its membership rise by 15%, with notable increases in the numbers of families taking part in sailing. Meanwhile more competent club members than ever took advantage of the low charge to borrow a club boat for a session. Since 2010 Seasalter has more than doubled its annual sailing footfall to over 1,100 people.

The two new boats – a GRP Miracle and a Laser Pico – are especially suitable for family, intermediate and improving sailors as well as youth sailors and encouraging people into taking the next steps into racing and staying in the sport long-term.

Ian Mills, Seasalter SC Vice-Commodore, said: "The arrival of the new boats in the next month is great news for Seasalter and demonstrates we are a club 'on the up’. 

"It is also great testament to all the volunteers who make Seasalter the friendly sailing club that it is and builds on the success of our Inspired Facilities Ramp project giving us a great platform to attract more people to sailing. 

“Increasing participation amongst local people of all ages, in addition to the new boats, is one cornerstone of our development plan and provides another terrific reason to join us.” 

Anyone, regardless of age, experience or ability, has the chance to try sailing for FREE at Seasalter SC when the club hosts its RYA Push The Boat Out Open Day on Saturday 16 May (Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult). 

For more details on how you can get involved at Seasalter SC this year visit www.seasaltersc.org.uk

Seasalter’s Push The Boat Out Open Day is part of a nine-day long nationwide event in May organised by sailing’s national governing body, the RYA, to introduce newcomers of all abilities and experience to the sport for free or low cost.

Last year 260 sailing clubs and watersports centres in Britain hosted Push The Boat Out Open Days and have-a-go sessions, with 17,000 people getting a taste for the sport for the first time!