Daneshill Sailing Club will once again be taking part in the RYA Discover Sailing event, a national initiative where clubs and centres across the UK welcome both seasoned sailors and complete beginners, on Sunday 18th May. Whether someone is new to sailing, looking to return to the sport, or already sails regularly, Daneshill Sailing Club will be one of many venues offering a warm welcome.
The club invites the local community to visit, try sailing, explore what the club has to offer, and get involved. Visitors might just find themselves hooked! Free on-the-water taster sessions will be available for both jun-iors and adults. Starting at 11.00am, club members and instructors will be on hand to take participants out on the water and give them a first-hand experience of dinghy sailing. A change of clothes is recommended, as there’s a chance of getting a little wet. Pre-booking is not required, and if there is a queue, there are plenty of other activities available to pass the time. The event runs until 4.00pm, though the reserve remains open until dusk.
The club is located within Daneshill Lakes Nature Reserve, between Torworth and Lound near Retford, and sails on the main lake. While sailing activities began at Daneshill in 1973, the current club was formed in 1988 to support outdoor activities for schools in the Retford area. The lake was originally created during the development of the nature reserve in the 1980s and now offers scenic walks and picnic-friendly areas within easy reach of the water. Owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, the site has seen significant improvements in recent years and remains popular with visitors, particularly due to its proximity to the Idle Valley Centre, which attracts a wide range of wildlife enthusiasts.
Daneshill Sailing Club promotes sailing as a social activity and places a strong emphasis on introducing people of all ages, especially children, to dinghy sailing as an enjoyable and active sport. Sailing takes place most Sundays during the season, which runs from 1st March to Thursday 31st October. Club members sail a variety of dinghies and are always happy to take newcomers out for a taster session. A towel and a change of clothes are recommended for those taking part.
The club’s training fleet includes Toppers, Picos, Bugs, a Laser II, Enterprises, GP14s, and, hopefully, their newest addition – an RS Quest dinghy – all available for use by club members.
For more information and contact details, visit www.daneshillsailingclub.co.uk or www.rya.org.uk/start-boating/discover-sailing.