Wanlip Sailing Club Welcomes VIP Visitor

Wanlip Sailing Club was pleased to welcome a VIP visitor as part of Midlands tour by the chief executive of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Sara Sutcliffe MBE.
Exploring the successes and challenges experienced by different clubs, Sara also visited Notts County SC and Rutland SC (20-21 June 2023), coinciding with the launch of the RYA’s Together on Water vision for the future of sailing and boating. 
The visit to Wanlip SC in Leicestershire enabled Sara to find out more about one of the region’s smallest clubs, along with her colleagues, Ben Hodgson, RYA Midlands Regional Development Officer, and Judy Lambourne, RYA Midlands Regional Volunteer Team Chair. 
Commodore Richard Harris said: “We took Sara out on a safety boat so she could enjoy our beautiful location and wildlife and see the size of our water, which is just 10 acres and would fit into Whitwell Bay at Rutland. We then served up scones, jam and cream with various drinks on offer, giving Sara the opportunity to chat with numerous members, sailors and paddle boarders, on a wide range of subjects. 
“We’re probably one of the smallest clubs in the Midlands, and we talked about how we could attract youngsters to sailing and encourage some of our older members to return following the pandemic. 
“Sara was able to tell us about the new RYA Together on Water strategy and how that may help us to reach out to new members. It was a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon and really informative.” 
Wanlip SC is an inclusive family-friendly club offering paddleboarding, social sailing and racing, with regular events and a newly refurbished clubhouse. For further information visit: www.wanlipsc.co.uk or discover more about how to start boating at: www.rya.org.uk/start-boating