"Bacon, eggs and boat handling" at QAB's Ladies Day 

QAB hold Ladies Day with the RYA Active Marina Programme

Breakfast, excellent conditions and a feast of boat-handling skills were all on the menu when seven women who own or berth a boat at Queen Anne’s Battery (QAB), Plymouth attended a training day there last Saturday (1 October) as part of the RYA Active Marina Programme.

 QAB, along with marinas across the country, has signed up to the new RYA Active Marina Programme, which encourages berth holders to make the most of life with their boat through marina-based training workshops and by supporting organised cruises and social events in marinas.  

The Ladies’ Day involved the owners of four yachts and three powerboats, and trainers Simon Jinks of Sea Regs and James Bembridge, of Plymouth Power Boat School were on hand to provide practical advice in a friendly, informal atmosphere.

One of the participants, Annette, commented: “We have been berthed in the Marina for four years now, and I have never met the other ladies participating before. This type of activity really helps to introduce berth holders to each other.”  

James Bembridge was pleased with the outcome: “It was great to see such enthusiasm for learning the appropriate boat-handling techniques and encouraging to hear the ladies talk about wanting further specific training, on VHF use and MOB in particular.  

Simon Jinks added: “Bacon, eggs and boat-handling! It was a great day with smiles all round as confidence was gained with the learning of a few boat-handling tricks.”  

Winter shore-based workshops are being planned at QAB, as are further practical sessions for Spring 2012.  

For more information about the RYA Active Marina Programme visit www.rya.org.uk/go/activemarina  

To sign up to become and Active Marina email activemarina@rya.org.uk