Sailing returns to pre-pandemic activity levels
The Royal Yachting Association reported that the number of sailing club members in England is back to pre-pandemic levels.
Almost two years on from the first national lockdown, over 255,000 people in England are currently members of their local sailing clubs and 34,000 joined in 2021 alone.
Great Moor Sailing Club in North Buckinghamshire is reporting a boost to their membership following the pandemic as more people choose to spend their spare time afloat.
Located on the Grebe Lake between Oxford and Milton Keynes, Great Moor Sailing Club is a family-friendly club. Members are able to sail in a variety of dinghies and participate in a wide range of activities from club racing through to weekly casual sailing sessions. Junior members can enjoy the club’s popular Grebelets fun activities which culminate in the club’s Junior Regatta.
Peter Spinks, Great Moor Sailing Club Commodore said: “Whilst Covid-19 dramatically restricted the Clubs activities last year we saw a net increase of 55 Family Memberships from May onwards in 2021. This included a high number of paddle boarders with many wanting to learn to sail. Despite the reduced season, our dedicated instructors amazingly still managed to provide Junior and Adult sail training - a great achievement.”
Peter adds: “Current renewals indicate that a larger than normal number of memberships will be retained in 2022 which adversely seems a positive Covid-19 outcome. The Club looks forward to an increased activity this year and the chance to celebrate a belated 50th Anniversary.”
Rob Clark, Director of Sport Development at the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), said: “We know that spending time outside and on the water during the pandemic has been a source of solace for many. Sailing clubs are an affordable place to spend time with your family doing an activity that everyone can participate in.
“Results from our annual Club Membership Census are also showing more family and junior memberships which is fantastic and we know that many venues are now offering even more activities for their members whether that’s SUPing, kayaking, swimming or windsurfing”.
The RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show at Farnborough International is running from 26-27 February. The show including sailing, windsurfing and winging simulators, activity pool and plenty of competitions.
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