Clubs hail NSW Try Sailing Day a total success

11:02 AM Tue 10 Nov 2009 GMT

'Action at the Port Kembla Sailing Club during the 2009 Try Sailing Day.' BIA NSW Click Here to view large photo

Twenty-nine yacht and skiff clubs across NSW took part in the recent 2009 Try Sailing Day, with most rating it as one of the best ever staged in the 13-year history of the event.

An initiative of the Sailing Industry Association (SIA), a sub-group of the Boating Industry Association (BIA) of NSW, Try Sailing Day sets out to encourage everyone from rank beginners to the experienced to enjoy time under sail.

Club members devote their time and owner/skippers their vessels to act as instructors and assist in the program.

Respected industry identity and BIA Life Member Bob Basham, said the clubs participating deserved the highest commendation.

'Without the supports of the clubs Try Sailing Day simply does not exist,' he said.

'All of us within the SIA together, I'm sure, with the BIA are greatly appreciative of the support so freely given.'

The BIA donated more than 300 Personal Flotation Jackets to the clubs involved, all gratefully received and worn by those taking part.

So successful was this year's program that the clubs involved almost without exception reported the largest number of registrations they had experienced.

It was also noticeable that may travelled considerable distances to take part.

Sandra Donovan, from the Concord and Ryde Sailing Club, said that while the majority of their 200 registrations hailed from within the Ryde and Concord council areas, more than 20 arrived from the Blue Mountains to try their hand under sail.

'Although about 50 percent of the participants were kids, the second largest age group would have been the 40-50-year-old; top prize for the oldest was an 81-year-old gentleman from Pymble who went out several times and left with information re joining the club.

'We also had a 74-year-old lady who went for a ride on a Heron.

'She had never been sailing before and just loved it, proving you're never too old to start sailing,' Sandra declared.

Is there a future Sydney-Hobart skipper here? Many competent yachtsmen and women gained their first experience on sailboats through Try Sailing Day. - BIA NSW Click Here to view large photo

Family groups were prominent, too, among the registrations.

John Clingan, secretary of the Botany Bay Yacht Club, rated the Try Sailing Day as 'a huge success.'

'We had them as young as two-years -old through to 82-years-old,' he said, 'and they both want to come again.'

He said many of the visitors to the club expressed surprise at how inexpensive sailing could be.

'All our skippers are excited at the prospect of having many new faces joining us after this excellent day,' John added.

The Kurnell Catamaran Club was another to experience new membership from the Try Sailing Day program.

Andrew Cribb, the club's publicity officer, said one fellow went sailing for the very first time that morning and joined the club the same afternoon.

Ian Pine, Commodore of the Lake Keepit Sailing Club, described the day as 'absolutely fabulous.'

'We had 46 participants, from infants to a 70-year-old, some of whom travelled up to 250 kilometres to join us,' he said.

'Our membership has already increased and several have expressed interest in our Sail Training weekend which we hold in March.

'It really was a great day.'

More than 260 turned up at the Manly Yacht Club, a number which the club's Helen Buckland said was 'most pleasing.'

In the Newcastle region, the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club thanked the organisers for doing 'a brilliant job.'

'Your organisational skills, support, enthusiasm, advertising and promotion were evident, valued and much appreciated,' club secretary Rhonda Domanti said.

Of the more than 40 who turned up at the club, only two said they were not interested in taking up the sport.

'I really was amazed at this year's response compared to previous years,' Rhonda added.

The Toronto branch of Sailability NSW was equally enthusiastic.

Geoff Thornely, the club's president, said the organisers could definitely add the club to its success list.

'We had about 30 trying out and the life jackets also had their first outing and we're most grateful for their donation,' he added.

Still in the Newcastle region, the South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club attracted 60 registrations.

The club's Renee Parker said members 'barely took a breather all day.'

'It was very successful,' she added.

Down in the Illawarra, an interesting comment came from Tony Sanderson, of the Port Kembla Sailing Club Co-Op.

While the BIA and SIA promote Try Sailing Day heavily to High Schools, Tony suggests Primary Schools should be equally targeted.

'Looking at our attendees, Primary School response was superior to that of High Schools,' he said.

'All I all it was a great day and we are already looking forward to the 2010 Try Sailing Day.'

Back in the 'Big Smoke', the Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (RANSA) at Rushcutters Bay and the RANSA Sailability also experienced a successful day.

There were more than 60 registrations and the club was reportedly 'very well organised' and went out of its way to make people feel welcome.

Domenic Genua, marketing and event manager for the Boating Industry Association of NSW, said the Sailing Industry Association was delighted with the turnout of participants and the cooperation of the clubs involved.

'If this scheme has introduced new people to sailing, new members to the clubs, then we're a very happy organisation,' he said.

For information related to the scheme, telephone the BIA of NSW, (02) 9438-2077.

Those who wanted to do their sailing at speed went to the Kurnell Catamaran Club, one of many participating clubs to gain new members thanks to Try Sailing Day. - BIA NSW

by Bob Wonders