A total of 31,000 people ‘pushed the boat out’ across the UK at more than 500 sailing and windsurfing taster sessions, making this year’s RYA Push the Boat Out the most successful yet.

And there will be even more opportunities to get involved next year as RYA Push the Boat Out is being extended to take place during the whole month of May.

RYA director of sport development Alistair Dickson said: ‘Push the Boat Out enables thousands of new comers to get on the water and experience sailing and windsurfing and we are really excited to announce that the whole of May 2018 will be dedicated to the event.

‘We’ve had many requests to extend Push the Boat Out to enable more sailing venues to take part, avoid tidal constraints and to encompass the two bank holiday weekends plus May is a great month to get started in the sport.’

Push The Boat Out at Earlswood Lakes SC. Credit: Emily Whiting

Push The Boat Out at Earlswood Lakes SC. Credit: Emily Whiting

RYA Push the Boat Out is all about people connecting with their local sailing club or provider and discovering how easy it is to get out the water.

Scaling Damn SC in the North Yorkshire Moors welcomed more than 200 visitors to their club resulting in 15 new memberships and 21 courses booked on the day.

Jon Pearson, honorary secretary, said: ‘It was tremendous seeing the club such a hive of activity and to have such a wide range of club members volunteering their time to make the day such a success.’

Put the date in the diary and visit the PTBO website for more updates, news and information.

More below…

RYA’s Summer of Sailing 2017

There are some 50 free or low cost sailing and windsurfing taster sessions taking place across the country this summer, supported by the RYA, to encourage more people to get out on the water and to sample life at a local club or training centre.

Click here to find a full list of events

Alistair added: ‘Whether you’ve sailed before or you are a complete beginner, sailing is a sport for all. Many sailing venues taking part have recently benefited from substantial investment to improve their facilities and have boats and equipment available so if you want to continue to sail or windsurf after your taster session you don’t even need to own a boat or board.’