Open Day 2010

at Durleigh Reservoir, Bridgwater. TA5 2AW

Saturday 8th May

10.00 to 17.00,

460 new sailors went onto the water

It was a cold, damp day, with a blustery NE breeze that veered during the day.

We thought it may be a quiet day due to the adverse weather forecast and by 12.00 we had had a slow morning with less than 150 people asking for a free sail. As the afternoon wore on, we became busier and busier with queues of over 30 minutes at times. By 16.00 when the booking closed we had had 460!!!!!!!!!!!! people on the water. This is the biggest ever number of new sailors.

Queues were no longer than 40 minutes, due to a larger turn out of both boats and helms, thanks to all of those who helped. It was a cold day so the helms needed great stamina and determination to stay on the water as they got colder.

It was great to see so many families, so many new faces as well as some familiar ones. The youngest sailor was just over 3 year's old and the oldest well into their 60's.

One youngster, who was about 5 years old, thanked me and said "I enjoyed my sail and didn't get wet".

While they were onshore, the crowds were able to get drinks and food from the new galley. The galley & BBQ volunteers were working non-stop from 09.00 to the end of the day selling tea, coffee, bacon rolls, cakes and BBQ food.

To keep youngsters busy while they were on shore we had a Treasure Hunt and several completed tit successfully.

In the afternoon the crowds enjoyed the Duck Race, which started at 14.45. 23 ducks in a yellow wave, were blown slowly across the lake from the dam towards the race hut, they arrived in close order at the shore line with the winner receiving half of the takings from the race.

 

This was the busiest Open Day to date, why don't you come next year to our 13th Open day and find out more about sailing!

Photos from this and previous year's are below, click to view

Calm before the start, Car Park, Briefing, Tea before the start, Checking Boats, Checking Comet, Getting Ready, Topper Launch, Pico Launch, The Galley, The BBQ, The reservoir, Getting Lifejackets, Embarking, Setting sail, Safe return, Boat changeover, In full swing, The Crowds,The Queue, My turn soon, Windsurfing demo, Picnicers, A near miss