Arnside Sailing Club has won a new safety boat in competition, beating 180 other sailing clubs to first prize.
The competition, run by the RYA and Suziki, offered a Rigiflex safety boat together with a Suziki engine and Extreme launching trailer, and has was awarded to Arnside at an event in London.
Alasdair Simpson, from the Club, said: “We were greatly surprised to have won the boat as we knew there would be many other very strong entries. We are very excited that we have won the boat and are bringing it back to Arnside.”
“We will be using the new boat to expand our training courses. We offer sailing lessons at both Arnside and Killington, near Sedbergh. We run paddle boarding and kayaking lessons at Arnside at low tide when the water is shallow enough to stand up.
‘’With a very scenic estuary, Arnside is a great place for water sports.’’
Rob Clark, RYA Director of Sport Development, said: "It was a very difficult task for the panel to identify one winner.
‘’However, the nomination for Arnside Sailing Club stood out for how they would be able to use the boat to help build on the considerable growth and demand in training the club has seen over recent years, their commitment to providing low cost opportunities to get on the water, and their strong links within their local community.
Alasdair Simpson added: “We aim to keep our membership fee and lesson prices low so cost is not a barrier to take part. We have 20 club sailing dinghies, 11 paddle boards and 7 kayaks, which are available to members free of charge, so you do not need to own your own craft to take up water sports for the club.
‘’Winning the new safety boat will help us put on more courses, enabling more adults and youths to take up water sports.’’
Arnside Sailing Club have doubled their membership since 2020 and have recently become a charity. The Club was shortlisted for the RYA Club of the Year award in 2018 and 2022.
Man accused of stealing joints of meat at Lancaster Asda by hiding them in his trousers
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Spectacular display of 12,000 poppies unveiled at Lancaster landmark
Eden Project Morecambe boss gives update on early stages of work on new £100m attraction
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
Road closures for pre-Tour de France work announced for Lancaster district
Lancaster rock guitarist braves beard shave for charity
Two arrests made after post office robbery in Lancaster
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to perform concert for schools at Morecambe Winter Gardens
PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme
Lancaster music venue's heartfelt message ahead of final night on New Year's Eve
Morecambe school named among one of England's most improved for attendance
Lancaster hospital nursing boss appointed to University of Cumbria honorary role
Morecambe Football Club placed under another embargo by the National League
£1.5m Lancaster scheme to boost water quality in River Lune is complete
Family pays tribute to Lancaster pensioner who died in road crash
Popular artist's print of Morecambe Bay Academy to be launched at alumni evening
Work set to begin on new Heysham skate park
Light Up Lancaster promises to illuminate city with ‘No Boundaries’
Sadness as Morecambe sports and social club suffers break-in on night of reopening
Man arrested after death of pensioner in Lancaster road crash
