Free late summer sailing for all on Boddington Reservoir

If the sumptuous summer sunshine has got you dreaming of getting afloat, then Banbury Sailing Club, near Daventry, is giving you and your family the chance to try sailing for free on Sunday 2 September (2-4pm).

No fewer than 80 people gave sailing a go when the Boddington Reservoir club hosted their first Push The Boat Out open day of the year in May, with 11 new family memberships – ranging from individuals over 25 to couples and entire families – taken out on the day and a very high demand for the club’s RYA learn to sail courses.

This summer’s heatwave especially sparked a spike in interest amongst local youngsters, prompting a waiting list to be formed and a new influx of juniors set to join in with the club’s youth sailing sessions from September. All of Banbury’s RYA OnBoard sessions – part of the national programme making it easier and cheaper for more young people aged 8-18 to get on the water – have been fully booked too.

Meanwhile, everyone enjoying getting on the water at Banbury SC this summer has also taken advantage of their £135,000 clubhouse, which received funding from Daventry District Council and celebrates the first anniversary of its official opening on the open day weekend.

Banbury SC’s Kate Barlow says: “The sensational weather has definitely had an impact in more people wanting to find out what sailing is all about this year and it’s been fantastic seeing many new faces around the club. As well as encouraging people to try sailing for the first time we’re always looking at ways to offer new and different activities to keep our existing members happy and active too.

“This summer we’ve introduced a couple of different styles of racing and at different times so people have more options and opportunities in when they come to sail. Traditional ‘first past the post’ fleet and handicap racing have continued, but match racing, where two boats go head to head in a round robin competition, and pursuit racing, where the ‘hare’ boats chase the ‘tortoises’, have been very popular additions.”

All you need for the open day is soft soled shoes you don’t mind getting wet and a sense of fun and adventure. Hot and cold food will be available. For more details about Banbury SC visit www.banburysailing.org.uk or like Banbury Sailing Club on Facebook.