In spite of strong winds, and blustery showers, Rutland Sailing Club (RSC) went ahead with their annual Open day Event on Saturday 15 July, and it was a fantastic success. 

With over 200 visitors at the event, RSC volunteers were determined to make the best of the bad weather, and welcomed members of the public, as well as local councillors new and old.

Attendees, including families, solo adventurers and couples were shown catamarans, dinghies, and keelboats on the beach, and were introduced to club members who were on hand to encourage people of all ages and abilities to try the sport. The Sailing School used a sailing simulator to give people an onshore experience of sailing. 

As a safety precaution, organiser and Olympic Silver medalist David Wilkins decided to curtail the sailing to just catamarans and a couple of keelboats. Many guests also went out on the three Committee boats to see the Club facilities from the water. 

Other opportunities were showcased during the Open Day including Sailability - an organisation for sailors with disabilities - Civil Service Sailing Association and RAF Sailing Association, RSC being one of their home clubs. 

Rutland Sailability operates from RSC and provides opportunities for people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities to enjoy sailing at local, national and international events. 

Sailors took to the water at Rutland Sailing Club's family open day at the weekend. Image credit: Rutland Sailing Club.

David Wilkins said: "I hope it will not be long before Rutland's next Olympian in sailing emerges from the very active Youth Sailing programmes at the club. All these young sailors started sailing at the club and some are already leading sailors at international Youth level thanks to the facilities and coaching by club members.

"We were delighted to see so many family visitors and hope to get future top youth sailors coming through the club system. 

"Sailing is one of those sports that brings all the family, all age groups together. It covers all aspects of life. The club can offer the right facilities and social experiences for all interested in this healthy outdoor sport."

This open day came only one month after Blind Sailing headed to the Rutland Water facilities to use the large and multi-faceted facilities at the local club.

Last year, the sailing club also hosted the 70th birthday celebrations of Dave Cadman, who raised over £4,500 for three charities with a 70 mile Rutland Water triathlon.

In this vein, RSC is a community hub that welcomes many visitors - if only people knew it was there!

Visitors to the club got the chance to get out on the water aboard a range of boats, including the Formula One. Image credit: Rutland Sailing Club.

David continued: "Sailing by nature is always in isolated locations, off the beaten track. It is not in the middle of the town like you would get with football or other clubs. It is away from everyone's natural eye-line, that is why it goes under the radar. 

"In Rutland, we have one of the best clubs in the country and a fantastic facility right here on our doorstep. We are a national sailing academy, so we get some of the best sailors and events coming here. 

"It is one of those things that anybody of any ability, or disability, can do - and it is not expensive. You associate sailing with big yachts, but it is not like that at all. There are small boats, inexpensive and you can get into the sport very cheaply. 

"The club is an RYA registered Sailing School, and has a full range of training courses available, we welcome all visitors whether sailors or complete beginners." 

Recent developments and successes at RSC include:

Youth Sailing successes 

• Winning performance by Carys Attwell at the RYA Youth Nationals, meaning she will be representing GBR in the Youth Worlds in Brazil. 
• RSC youth team led by Ben Tylecote won the RYA Youth Match Racing Championship and European Youth Match Racing title, with selection to represent GBR at the Youth World Match Racing Champs in Australia. 
• RSC Youth, Adult and Ladies Team Racing is so successful that RSC is currently ranked the No 1 club in the world for team racing. 

UK Blind Sailing has made RSC one of its centres for training as the facilities and two new RS21 keelboats are perfect for their needs. 

The club is embarking on a sustainability project to save energy and reduce its carbon footprint. 

It is working with organisations to include Inclusion and Diversity programs. 

Rutland Sailing Club is a hive of activity for competitive and leisure sailors. Image credit: Nub News.

One Rutland County Council in attendance, Cllr Ray Payne, shared his experience of the "wonderful" day out had by himself and his colleagues at RCC.

Cllr Payne said: "Although the weather was far from the best needed to sail, a number of hardy souls - not including yours truly - did venture out onto the water!

"The main purpose of the event was to promote and indeed celebrate the wonderful work done by the club volunteers to encourage sailing for the disabled, both children and adults. This is done under the title of Sailability. The club supports this very valuable activity with both funds and volunteers, and is now the largest such club in the UK.

"Yet another example of little old Rutland punching above its weight! It was truly a pleasure for my wife and I to spend the afternoon in the company of such positive and committed people as we met on Saturday.

"Needless to say they can always do with more help, both in terms of time and money. Volunteers do not have to be sailors themselves, there is plenty to do on shore. I hope that anyone with an interest in supporting this very worthwhile activity will get in touch with the Rutland Sailing Club."

For more information or to become a member visit the RSC website or call 01780 720 292. 

Members enjoyed a fulfilling day at the recent Rutland Sailing Club open day. Image credit: Nub News.