Saturday July 14 saw 24 taster sailors take to the water to give sailing a go at Rye Harbour Sailing Club (RHSC), The Point, Rye Harbour. The weather, which has been amazing, lived up to expectation on the day with just enough of a breeze from the south east for a sail. RHSC and RHSC Sailability opened the club house from 10:30am providing free taster sails, a session on how to tie knots and other demonstrations on rigging boats and points of sail with light refreshments available to buy along with a BBQ and bar.
After a commercial vessel, which had been discharging her cargo at Rye Wharf, had left the port, about one hour before high water, three experienced skippers in their dinghies from RHSC and the skipper of Luey, the RHSC Sailability dinghy took to the water. A further 14 volunteers helped to make the successful day possible.
The Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat (PLIRB) very kindly agreed to attend the event acting as safety boat cover for Luey giving everyone on board the reassurance that they were in safe professional hands. The PLIRB crew was made up of Andy, Steve, Isaac and John with Mark being the radio liaison with the club. On behalf of the RHSC Sailability team a very big thank-you goes to the PLIRB team.
RHSC Sailability, a charity helping to get people with disabilities out on the water to enjoy the fun and freedom of sailing, are fund-raising for a rescue boat, boat storage and more life jackets. If you would like to make a donation or to become involved with Sailability please contact via email carolinewylson@btinternet.com .
Photos: Katherine Crowther and RHSC