Covenham SC has 2012 Vision 

New boats boost opportunities at Lincolnshire based club

It is set to be a memorable year at Covenham Sailing Club as they provide more opportunities than ever for local people to get into sailing in Olympic year, thanks to a £10,000 funding boost from the Sport England Small Grants programme.

Covenham has invested in three new state-of-the-art RS Vision dinghies, thanks to the Sport England grant plus other funding sources, which will be used by the club to offer more learn-to-sail opportunities for the local community, while giving existing club sailors the chance to enjoy further developing their skills.

The club, which as a recognised RYA Training Centre means its instruction and facilities conform to the highest standards of quality and safety in the world, has worked hard over the winter to put together an exciting schedule of activity for newcomers and experienced hands alike to offer something for everyone in 2012.

And with the new boats already proving a massive hit with Covenham’s club members towards the end of last season, the club are looking forward to the Visions opening up even more doors for people to sail more often in Lincolnshire.

Stephen Lloyd, Covenham SC Training Principal, said: “We are really looking forward to the forthcoming season when the Visions will be used for training for the first time. We have already had enquiries from some sailors who want to learn how to use spinnakers, something we have struggled to provide in the past. The boats will also be used by some of our more experienced junior sailors so they can gain experience and knowledge of racing, use of spinnakers and trapezing.

“For people to stay in any sport they have to enjoy taking part and one of the best things about sailing is there is always something new to learn. People are more likely to enjoy themselves if a club’s equipment is up-to-date, doesn’t keep breaking, and provides an exhilarating sailing experience. For that reason the new RS Visions are a great addition to our training fleet.”

From 7 April, Covenham SC starts hosting an extensive programme of sailing courses and introductory taster days for beginners to improvers, adults and children.

Covenham is also proud to be signed up as a ‘Sail for Gold’ club, an initiative from sailing’s governing body, the RYA, to bring the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as close to home as possible for everyone.Under the motto of ‘Inspire. Celebrate. Support’, ‘Sail for Gold’ is about encouraging people, wherever they live, to get out on the water, either for the first time or more often, to celebrate Britain’s unmatched Olympic sailing heritage and show their support for Britain’s sailing team for London 2012. Britain has been the world’s most successful sailing nation for the past three Olympics.

Stephen added: “London 2012 is all about the idea of legacy and if the legacy we can leave from the Games is that we have encouraged more people in Lincolnshire to become regular sailors then we will be really proud.”

For more information about all the activities on offer at Covenham SC this year visit www.covenhamsc.co.uk