Club’s work recognised

Sailing

Kent Sport has recognised Conningbrook Lakes Sailing Club with a Kent County Council bursary to support Royal Yachting Association (RYA) dinghy instructor training.

Four young people qualified as instructors in April with a further three this month. Some of the new instructors first started dinghy sailing as beginners when Conningbrook Country Park was opened in 2015. The club was granted RYA Training Centre status in 2016.

Bernard Sealy, principal of the RYA Training Centre says: “We are now offering progression from beginner to Dinghy Instructor at Conningbrook Lakes. Ashford, for all its long history as an inland market town and railway hub, is also now becoming a recognised sailing centre.”

Kent Sport plans to visit the club to provide a case study of good practice to send to Sport England.

“This is a fitting recognition for the club of all the hard work that has been put into its pioneering development over four years, helped by an initial grant from Ashford Borough Council,” says Helen Hofmann, RYA regional chair. The club offers dinghy sailing courses accredited by the

RYA as well as recreational sailing. Supported by Ashford Borough Council, the centre encourages local participation in the sport of sailing for residents of all ages.

If you’d like more general information on how to get out on the water and the opportunities near you, visit www.rya.org.uk/go/ startboating.