Push The Boat Out and New Members Party at Mudeford Sailing Club
by Jane Challener 26 Jun 2016 19:33 BST
21 May / 17 June 2016
Mudeford Sailing Club build their club with successful Open Day (Push The Boat Out) and New Members Party
Mudeford Sailing Club were delighted that in spite of rain and breezy F4-5 windy conditions visitors queued to get out on the water from 9am on Saturday 21st May at their open day (Push The Boat Out). The brand new fleet of three Hartley 2-man sailing dinghies proved to be a real asset to the club (two were funded by a Sport England grant, and the third by a donation from a member generously topped up by Hartley Boats). Those, and the more pedestrian Norfolk Urchin were filled with happy visitors until 1:30.
Every new sailor came off the water wet and grinning having thoroughly enjoyed the experience – this quote from one soaked non-sailor was typical, "thank you so much, that was just brilliant, I loved it."
Many of them loved it so much that they joined the club and, together with existing members attended the New Members party on the Friday 17th June, funded by the club and sponsors, to celebrate the clubs achievements over the last two years. These include re-floating and refitting of the Dutch Barge clubhouse after the winter storms of 2014, the winter '15 total rebuild of committee boat 'Dabchick', the arrival of the three new club dinghies and over 30 new members from the Open Day joining to enjoy the unique experience at Mudeford Sailing Club.
The rain gave way to a balmy evening with adults and juniors taking part in the fun, sailing around the harbour in 7 fully loaded club dinghies, and learning to paddleboard with boards and tuition from Shore Sports based on Mudeford Quay. Finally when the keen sailors could be tempted off the water they enjoyed superb homemade food in addition to fresh baby doughnuts, wine and an excellent range of beers kindly supplied by sponsors, Sainsbury's, Stanpit Wines and Hall and Woodhouse respectively.
Everyone clapped and cheered when, using the Hall and Woodhouse Fursty Ferret beer, the new club Hartley dinghies were ably named by Linda Monk from nearby Strides Boatyard, asking 'God to Bless all that sailed in them and all that fell out of them'.
Comments received afterwards such as, "just had a fantastic evening", "I am hooked" and "thanks to all the established members for the excellent evening, Good Food, Great Company, Free Wine and Beer and not forgetting all those who gave their time to help us try to sail/paddleboard, we really enjoyed it," made all the hard work over the last two years well worthwhile and club members overjoyed to share the friendly Mudeford experience with other like-minded folks.
Note: All are welcome to share this experience by joining the very friendly and fun Mudeford Week regatta from the 1-7 August. See the web site for details: www.mudefordsc.org