The Club engages with the local community on a regular basis, opening their facilities and creating hospitality opportunities, and also offers training through the training centre and through its innovative Sonata Activity Groups. These groups provide access to the water for beginners, offering them the opportunity to learn alongside experienced skippers before progressing to the next level of their training. Recent fundraising meant that the Club could purchase a new Sonata to allow more members to get on the water.
Jane Long, from the Club, said:“CYC Members are delighted that the activities of many dedicated volunteers are recognised. Our Sonatas in particular are creating many opportunities for newcomers, Women on the Water and Cadets to learn new skills.
“Our Sonata keelboat training scheme attracts many who always wanted to sail and now have found a means to fulfil that ambition; our Cadets are able to see a route through to cruiser sailing; and experienced members are enjoying Class racing in, apparently, the largest Sonata fleet in the country.”
Jane continued: “Having established a large Women on the Water group, our next step is to work with local organisations to provide bursaries to those for whom finance is a barrier to entry to the sport. In the meantime, our thriving cruiser race fleet is benefitting from an increase in crew availability! Our Main Committee fully supports the many volunteers that make the Club so active.”
The overall award winners in each category and the Club of the Year title will be announced in a ceremony at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show supported by Sunsail, at Farnborough International on Saturday 24 February 2024.
For more information about how to get out on the water in the East Region, visit www.rya.org.uk/startboating.
