Push the Boat Out at Royal Welsh Yacht Club
by Hamish Stuart 31 May 2014 13:09 UTC
17 May 2014
Pushing the Boat Out at Caernarfon © WYA
Almost 50 first-timers tried watersports in Caernarfon, including visitors from the United States and Netherlands, as part of national campaign Push the Boat Out day.
The Royal Welsh Yacht Club in Caernarfon took part in Push the Boat Out for the first time, with club volunteers helping to get as many visitors as possible out on the water.
Apart from the overseas visitors, one lady was able to tick off one of three things on her 'bucket list' by sailing on a yacht, while children as young as 10-years-old were able to go sailing and rowing in a Celtic long boat.
Push the Boat Out Day was run at yacht clubs all round the UK, with the aim to encourage people to try sailing.
"Our club members volunteered three yachts and their crew for the day and our club rowers brought a four seater Celtic Long Boat," said rear commodore Sarah Roberts.
"One girl aged 10 enjoyed her sailing session so much the skipper extended her time on board. After landing she was happy to jump in the Celtic Long Boat and row for 20 minutes up the Seiont - a natural!
"Among the 45 participants there was a party of seven young men from the Netherlands who took part as did nine young ladies from America.
"The activity took place on the Menai Strait and Seiont River near to our clubhouse, Porth yr Aur, Caernarfon.
"Our Club wants to be part of PTBO to enable more participants to get on the water whether in a yacht or rowing boat.
"One example of the feedback was, 'My daugher and her boyfriend were saving for their first house - now I think it will be a yacht instead.'
"It was certainly a big success."