Council’s Grant Helps Make a Bigger Splash!

A grant received via the Community Small Grant Scheme from Charnwood Borough Council, will help a new generation of sailors onto the water for the first time.
Syston Sailing Club carried out some taster sessions for a junior club this summer and has now officially launched its Splash and Sail sessions, designed to engage children, aged six years and above, in sailing skills through games and water-based fun.
The initial sessions have been an overwhelming success, and thanks to a £750 Community Small Grant Scheme grant from Charnwood Borough Council have enabled us extend this year`s sessions and to be back, bigger and better in 2025.
Rob Pocock, one of the Splash and Sail instructors, said: “The money will help to improve equipment and provide games, toys and amusements for the young people and help us to subsidise these fun sessions, allowing us to keep them affordable for all families.
“The children and everyone at Syston Sailing Club are delighted to get this backing from the council. It will help ensure we can bring more fun to more of the borough’s children, keeping them active, and teaching them invaluable water safety skills,” he added.
Splash and Sail activities are packed into two-hour sessions which include sailing dinghies with plastic bags, as well as hare and hound chases and postman on the water, ball games, water pistols, learning to tie sailing knots, water sliding and jumping in to the lake. If it gets too windy, paddling and games on land take over from the sailing.
The team of instructors are all experienced sailors, with a range of qualifications in power boat handling, safety boat procedures, health and safety, safeguarding and dinghy instructing. All our qualifications are accredited by sailing’s governing body, the RYA.

• The dates for Splash and Sail sessions for 2025 will be released next year –keep an eye out on Syston Sailing Club’s website or social media channels for details or email: Syston.sailingclub@outlook.com