Please select your home edition
Edition

Huge turn out for RYA Sail for Gold Roadshow

by RYA on 19 Aug 2016
RYA Sail for Gold Roadshow RYA http://www.rya.org.uk
Almost 1,300 people inspired by Rio 2016 tried sailing and windsurfing for the first time as the RYA Sail for Gold Roadshow toured Britain this week.

Eight venues welcomed anyone to ‘have a go’ for free as Britain ended the 2016 Olympics as the top performing sailing nation with two golds and a silver medal.

As well as hundreds of volunteers at the host clubs and centres helping to get newcomers to the sport afloat, visitors could also enjoy tuition and be inspired by British Sailing Team members who attended every Roadshow to help celebrate the achievements of their teammates in Rio and encourage people to get into sailing.

It’s not too late to give sailing a go as no fewer than 18 more Try Sailing events will take place nationwide throughout the rest of August and September as the Olympic glow carries into the excitement of the Paralympics.

Nine-year-old Amelie tried windsurfing at the opening RYA Sail for Gold Roadshow at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) on Sunday (14 August).

She said: “It was really so much fun, the best ever! I love dinghy sailing too, and I’m going to get a gold in the 49er FX at the next Olympics!”

Amelie’s mum, Melissa, a local teacher, added: “I was so pleased to see so many children taking this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, the mum of seven-year-old Archie Samuel, who tried sailing for the first time at Trimpley Sailing Club in Worcestershire on Monday, said the family would definitely be looking to give the sport another go. She said: “We really enjoyed our day at Trimpley. It was a lovely atmosphere and very welcoming.”

Giles Scott (Finn) and Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (470 Women) both winning Rio gold and Nick Dempsey RS:X windsurfing silver ensured that Britain topped the best sailing nation table for four of the last five Olympics.

All the RYA Sail for Gold Roadshows were hosted at sailing clubs and centres with close links to the sailors competing in Rio. Many of the clubs were where the sailors had actually learned the ropes themselves as youngsters and all the events took place on their respective Medal Race days.

Celia Edgington, RYA Sail for Gold Roadshow coordinator, said: “It has just been the best week. We couldn’t have asked for better weather and with all of Team GB’s athletes in Rio really capturing the imagination of everybody back home the appetite for people to try a new sport has been huge.

“The sailing clubs and centres who hosted the roadshows have put in a huge amount of work rallying volunteers, promoting their events and getting as many people out on the water as possible and this just couldn’t have been done without them.

“They were all stunning days on the water with many people signing their families up as members and booking on to learn to sail courses on the day. We look forward to seeing even more people try sailing over the next two months too.”

Related Articles

£10 off RYA adult or family membership
This spring, make it official - join the RYA community Now's the perfect time to take the next step in your boating journey. Join RYA membership today and unlock exclusive benefits designed to help you get more from life on the water.
Posted on 19 Apr
RYA launches 'The Female Futures Group'
Supporting and elevating women in sport A new wave of change is emerging in British sailing as the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) launches The Female Futures Group, dedicated to increasing female participation and unlocking new opportunities for women and girls in the sport.
Posted on 9 Apr
RYA influences MCA's changes to regulations
Interview with Niall McLeod to see how Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice affects us The RYA have been working closely with the the government to make sure that new regulations for leisure vessels are not too restrictive. It seems that any group which operates a "coded" vessel should be thankful.
Posted on 18 Mar
RYA Connected Webinar: Increasing Racing Activity
Join us on Monday 3rd March at 7pm After the huge success of the first Connected webinar, focused on growing membership, aimed at clubs and how they can boost membership and increase activity on the water, it's nearly time for the second in the series.
Posted on 27 Feb
The sailing participation webinars are back!
Join us on Monday 3rd February at 7pm for the RYA Connected Webinar, 'Growing membership' Back in 2019 and early 2020, together with the RYA, I was part of a hugely successful set of webinars which highlighted how sailing clubs were growing their membership and increasing participation in activities. The great news is that they're back!
Posted on 30 Jan
Sports NGB launches 'Reflections on Water'
The RYA's first ever nationwide inclusivity campaign The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the national governing body for Sailing and Windsurfing, has launched 'Reflections on Water', a dynamic new campaign uniting and embodying the people, progress, and opportunities connected to the UK's blue spaces.
Posted on 29 Jan
Introducing new RYA partner Bupa
Coming on board as its Official Health Insurance partner The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has partnered with Insured Health and Bupa, coming on board as its Official Health Insurance partner.
Posted on 16 Jan
RYA welcomes UK Sport funding for LA 2028 cycle
A record £330 million of Government and National Lottery investment in Olympic and Paralympic sport The RYA has welcomed today's announcement from UK Sport outlining a record £330 million of Government and National Lottery investment in Olympic and Paralympic sport over the next four years.
Posted on 16 Dec 2024
RYA Connected Live on 10th October
Looking back at successes and challenges of 2024, exploring key issues and opportunities for clubs Join us for RYA Connected Live where we will look back at the successes and challenges of 2024, and explore some of the key issues and opportunities for clubs and other affiliates.
Posted on 8 Oct 2024
RYA Racing Rules of Sailing 2025 - 2028 out now
Spiral bound waterproof paperback (RRS25), eBook (E-RRS25), Audiobook (A-RRS25) Released every four years, the RYA is proud to announce the newest edition of the RYA Racing Rules of Sailing (2025-2028) outlining the compulsory rules for sailors competing around the world.
Posted on 17 Sep 2024