Still time to get involved in Push the Boat Out Day

There is still time to get involved in Push the Boat Out Day © RYA

With just two months to go until Push the Boat Out Day there is still time for you to get involved and help us celebrate what a fantastic sport boating, whether you sail or motor.

In a bid to showcase boating, in all its guises to the nation, we are encouraging as many people as possible to take the water on Saturday 21 July and make a real spectacle of our boating prowess.

So far there around a hundred clubs, thousands of boats and a whole host of marine industry organisations and boating figures; including Clipper Ventures, organisers of the Round the World yacht race, British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world three times, and Neilson Holidays, have signed up to get involved, with events ranging from cruises and treasure hunts to BBQ’s and have a go sessions.

“The ideas that people have been coming up with to celebrate on Push the Boat Out Day have been really amazing”, commented Celia Edgington, RYA Sail for Gold Coordinator.

“For example on the Isle of Wight, Bembridge Sailing Club is holding a ‘mass dinghy raid’ sailing around the St Helen’s Fort. Chew Valley Sailing Club in Avon, Bristol are making a record attempt for the most sailors out at once. In Cumbria, Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club have organised a children’s treasure hunt and best dressed boat competition, while in Argyll Scotland, Craobh Haven Watersports have a whole host of fun and games taking place with try a sail and training sessions, competitions and BBQ; a great event for all the family. It all sounds such great fun it’s just a shame I can’t get to visit them all.”

If you are taking part in Push the Boat Out Day then you could also be part of the RYA’s Video Journal.

All you need to do is film the action from the day, out on the water, in the club house or interviews with people taking part and submit it to the RYA’s and your clips could become part of the journal.

The video journal will be used to showcase all the great events and activities that took place on Push the Boat Out Day and promoted on the RYA website and through the media. We’ll also use it on our Olympic website to show support for the British sailing team.

Footage can be of any quality but try to keep a steady hand! Email james.eaves@rya.org.uk to sign up.

There is lots of information on the Sail for Gold website about Push the Boat Out Day www.rya.org.uk/sailforgold including how to guides, event packs and details of events taking place in your region.

So don’t forget to post your photos on the Sail for Gold Facebook page www.facebook.com/sailforgold as well as your good luck messages for the Team GB sailors ahead of the London 2012 Games.

We look forward to hearing about your event, seeing your photos and watching your videos.