John Merricks Sailing Trust adds new dimension to Lyme Regis Sailing Club
by Dave Stubbs 29 Nov 2015 07:56 PST
27 November 2015
Three Optimists for Lyme Regis Sailing Club from the John Merricks Sailing Trust © Dave Stubbs
The award of a grant to purchase three Training Optimists from the John Merricks Sailing Trust at the beginning of this season has transformed life at Lyme Regis Sailing Club. The 3 boats enabled to club to start up its own Oppie Cadets club to teach children from the age of 6 to sail, something previously not available at the club until they were 10. The introduction of the course has led to an influx of new younger family members who have been keen to get involved in the club, with two new parent members now serving on the committee.
The Optimists have been used to run two 7-week courses during the year and a total of 22 children have been taught to sail in them. From those who have completed the course 10 have gone on to purchase, or are actively looking to purchase, their own Optimists.
The club will be running a further two beginners courses in 2016, of which both are almost 80% full and bookings are already being taken for 2017, as well as improvers and intermediate courses for those who have their own boats.
Dave Stubbs, Vice Commodore at Lyme Regis Sailing club said, "Without the help of the John Merricks Trust to fund this project we would not have had the successful year we have had at Lyme Regis Sailing Club. We are very grateful for their support."
www.jmst.org.uk
www.lymeregissailingclub.co.uk