Treasurer of the Shirehampton Sailing Club and organiser of the 'Try Sailing Day' shares with us his experiences of the event

If you are interested in dinghy sailing the closest place to sail is Shirehampton Sailing Club. On Sunday 12th August the Sailing Club welcomed over 70 guests to a ‘Try Sailing and BBQ Day’. Although the day was overcast and there was little chance of getting a sun tan the conditions were near perfect for the first time sailors with light winds to entice them onto the water.

The event opened with a reassuring rescue of a man over-board by the Portishead and Bristol Lifeboat. With experienced helms and a slick team on the slipway the club was able to turn the dinghies round quickly enabling almost 50 guests, of all ages, to get onto the water for around 25 minutes sailing each.

During the afternoon there was one heavy rain shower which sent those ashore scurrying to eat their burgers under shelter. These who were sailing came ashore soaked but still smiling. There were comments from a good number of the guests there they would like to have another go. As a result the club will be organising a Try Cruising Day in September for those who signed up.
The club will be organising another Try Sailing Day next year. If you are interested in being taken dinghy sailing, but can’t wait, please phone myself, Bob Hayes on 0117 9422906 and I’ll see what I can do to get you on the water beforehand.