Its bright, its orange and our new safety boat TANGO was christened and launched on Sunday 4 Feb 2018
Champagne launch
Great turn out at the Club on Sunday 4 February .for both the dinghy racing and christening/official launch of our new safety boat Tango. We raised a glass offering a traditional toast, and then Graham treated many of us, not quick enough to move out of the way, to a soaking in champagne (Ok, it was Cava from the south slopes of Asda).
Graham leading the celebration
The new safety boat is indicative of the hard work that has been put in by a great number of members, who together, have transformed the prospects for dinghy sailing at Up River Yacht Club.
It is a very visible reward for over three years of consistently building up a cohort of new and enthusiastic members. Those members have learned to sail and are now buying boats of their own. The club training fleet has also increased. This was also through the significant grants the club won from Sport England, but more importantly, we would not have gained those grants without our members who have supported tuition days and fun sails over this time.
Video on Facebook, please click here
Safety Boat crew training
Photo Gallery of the day on Facebook – please click here (you may need a Facebook Account to see these)
Celebrating success
The number of sails we see in the river on club organised events, especially the summer fun and family days, is testimony to the vibrancy of the dinghy section and the younger demographic we are now attracting to the club. Members turned out in force on Sunday to celebrate that success.
Before delivery; Up River’s new safety boat being prepared at Barnet Marine
Yes, the club has also spent a significant sum of its own money on the new safety boat. Rightly so. This boats supports, not just our existing experienced dinghy sailors (at least this new RIB is fast enough to keep up with them!), but the large number of less practiced members who are now joining our dinghy racing fleet. It also offers encouragement to safety boat crews to step forward and ensure every race has the safety cover it needs. A purpose built RIB with all new equipment is an investment in the future of the club.
