Push The Boat Out

OPEN DAYS for SAILING, POWERBOAT, ROWING AND STAND-UP PADDLING

19 and 20 MAY at NORTH BERWICK HARBOUR

If you have ever fancied sailing, powerboating, sea rowing or stand-up-paddling then you have a treat on offer on Friday evening 19^th May and all-day Saturday 20^th May 2017 at North Berwick Harbour.

East Lothian Yacht Club, North Berwick Rowing Club and GoSUP are hosting a ‘Push the Boat Out’ Open day to encourage people of all ages to try water sports.

If you’ve ever stood and watched the boats and paddlers from the harbour and wished you were out there, then our Open day is perfect to get in a boat or on a board.

WHAT TO EXPECT

All three clubs are inviting everyone to come and have a go at sailing in yachts and dinghies, going in a powerboat, rowing or stand-up paddle sports. We’re especially looking for adults who are looking for a new sport or want to become more active. Come down, give water sports a try – and bring your family! This is a great opportunity to try a sport and see what’s on offer at local clubs.

There will be a host of activities taking place and no advance booking is needed - just turn up!

TURN UP – GO OUT – NO ADVANCE BOOKING

There is no advanced or online booking - just turn up to East Lothian Yacht Club to register and we will take you out!

Sailing and rowing trips will be in sessions up to 30-minutes long. Stand-Up Paddling will be in 15-30 minutes’ sessions depending on demand. When you arrive at the yacht club, you can sign up for your chosen activity and select a time slot – and then …you will be out on the water!

Please arrive early to make sure that you have a selection of activities and time slots.

It’s first come, first served!

WHAT’S ON WHEN

CHOOSE ONE, SOME OR ALL ACTIVITIES

A final range of activities, boats and confirmed times will be publicised nearer the date but here’s a taste of what to expect. 

Sailing, rowing and paddling are all superb ways to stay fit without having to pound the gym equipment. They are all mixed sports where men, women and young adults and children sail with, learn from and compete against each other.

YACHTS

You will be taken to your allocated yacht in groups of 2 or 3 people. Club members will take you aboard their yacht for a short sail out towards Craigleith to give you a feel for sailing. Depending on conditions, we may ferry you to the yacht in one of the powerboats. It is very unlikely that you will get wet when sailing in a yacht - apart from a few splashes!

DINGHY SAILING

Dinghy sailing is a fun and active sport. You are likely to get wet when you get into the boat and being so close to the water, you are bound to get splashed. Also, water splashes around inside the dinghy so your feet will probably get wet.

Dinghies are for a single sailor or two people. You will be taken in a two person – or double-hander - boat. Boats are typically about 4-6 metres long and are designed to be very agile.

You can be as active as you like on the dinghy and the cox will give you an opportunity to help sail the boat. Don’t worry if you are not very active but would like to try out a dinghy. Our sailors will take you as a passenger and you won’t have too much to do other than enjoy the experience.

When racing or sailing in windy conditions, dinghy sailors always capsize and everyone falls in the water at some time. Don’t worry – your trip will be kept under safe control and you should not be falling in the water on your trial trip.

ELYC powerboats are RIBS or Rigid Inflatable Boats. These are used as safety boats for all club dinghy sailing. It is an RYA requirement that all clubs have a ratio of safety boats to dinghies for all types of sailing and especially racing.

The ELYC RIBS are 5 metres long and powered by 50 hp Honda engines. You will join a RIB at the harbour and be taken out into the bay to see some of the other activities and experience the speed and agility of a RIB.

Some club members may also bring their RIBS which are of similar design.

ROWING IN A TRADITIONAL BOAT

Rowing experience is provided by North Berwick Rowing Club – a friendly club that is very keen to see everyone try out rowing at least once.

Traditional wood-built rowing boats are steady and safe. You will have an active session rowing as one of the crew. An experienced cox will steer the boat and give instruction. Don’t worry if you have never rowed before – that’s the point of coming along to try it out.

Rowing can be as gentle or energetic as the team wants to make it. You should therefore be capable of rowing for about 15- 20 minutes – although you can be any age and you do not need to be super-fit (or even close) just to give it a try.

STAND-UP PADDLING

Stand-Up Board Paddling is a relatively new, exciting and relaxing sport. It’s an excellent way to stay fit.

GoSUP will run trial sessions at the pool next to the harbour. You will get wet!

WHAT TO WEAR

All sailing and water sports in the sea are subject to weather and sea conditions. Therefore, you will need to dress appropriately for the activity you select. Changing rooms with showers will be available.

We will provide more information on this website and Facebook when we have the weather forecast for the dates. Also, before you go out on the water, our instructors and safety officers will advise you on what’s best to wear. 

Yachts – wear normal clothes plus a jumper and a rain jacket for wind protection. It’s best to wear trainers or soft shoes.

Dinghy sailing – a wet-suit is recommended if you have one, however for your experience trip then old clothes, or sportswear like track suits and a light waterproof jacket are perfectly fine. Wear a pair of soft shoes or trainers which may get a bit wet.

RIBS – your normal clothes will be fine. There may be some water on the floor of the boat so expect to get shoes a little bit wet. Bring a jumper and rain jacket to act as a wind cheater. Even on warm days, the speed of the boat will mean that you can get cold very quickly.

Rowing – Loose, weather appropriate clothes. Expect to get wet up to the knees so shorts and old trainers to walk in the water are good. Bring a towel and over clothes in a bag.

Stand-Up Paddle Boards – Wet suits are recommended and these will be available from the harbour on the day. Otherwise, wear anything you like because you will get wet. It’s best to bring a towel and a change of clothes.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

• Dinghy sailing and Stand-Up Paddling – from 8 years old
• Yachting and Powerboats -  Any age; but no toddlers, babies or prams are allowed. Children are permitted on yachts and powerboats with an accompanying adult.
• Rowing – from 14 years old.

SAFETY

• Safety is a high priority for all sailing and water sport activities. Visitors will be required to wear buoyancy aids or life jackets which will provided on the day.
• If you have one, you may bring your own buoyancy aid or lifejacket, however this will be inspected by a club safety officer prior to you starting your activity.
• All activities are supervised by Instructors and Safety officers for each club.
• Visitors will be asked to sign an RYA registration form which will clearly explain risks and responsibilities.
• ELYC club Safety boats will be in attendance for all activities except Stand-Up Paddling which will be held in the pool.
• Each club will have conducted a pre-event Risk Assessment and daily Risk Assessments to comply with operating regulations.

MORE INFORMATION

We will publish more information in May, closer to the event dates. In the meantime, please have a look at ELYC, North Berwick Rowing Club and GoSUP websites and Facebook pages to find out more about the clubs.

If you can’t wait until 19 and 20 May, then why not pop along to see us before then – we’ll be delighted to see you, show you around and get you involved.

Please contact secretary@elyc.org.uk if you have any questions about the North Berwick event.

Push the Boat out is a national initiative promoted by the Royal Yachting Association RYA. For more information about the national RYA ‘Push The Boat Out’ events please click on this link.