Shropshire Sailing Club is looking forward to welcoming more than 100 people to Push The Boat Out as a fortnight of free ‘try sailing’ events launches across Shropshire next week.

The Whitemere club is one of three venues in the county inviting all-comers to have a go, as they host their event on Sunday May 6, while Chelmarsh Sailing Club open their doors on Saturday May 5 and Telford Sailing Club hold their open day on Saturday May 12.

All kit and safety equipment is provided so bring a pair of old trainers you don’t mind getting wet and your sense of adventure and fun. Find your nearest Push The Boat Out event at www.rya.org.uk/ptbo

Colin Smith, Shropshire SC Commodore, believes you won’t regret it.

He said: “Push The Boat Out gives everyone the rare opportunity to try something really special in a safe, friendly and beautiful environment and for absolutely free of charge. Once you're tried it it's very difficult to stop coming back.

“All sorts of people come to our Open Day. Families with children of all ages and couples to pensioners looking to either return to sailing after years away or looking for something to keep them active.

“Itt has grown from a very local event, with details being spread by word of mouth, to being part of a much bigger national effort. As a result, we now regularly get over 100 visitors coming through our gates for the open day. A lot of people, who have never sailed before, try it and get hooked with many going on to join us.”

Shropshire SC is a recognised RYA Training Centre for dinghy and keelboat sailing, meaning there are small and bigger boats there for anyone to try. Meanwhile, their RYA OnBoard programme has seen the club successfully engage with a number of local schools and youth groups to get more youngsters on the water at low cost

Colin added: “ he best part of the open day for me is talking to people and sailing with them for the first time. If I can transmit some of the love and enjoyment I have for sailing to them, and make the whole experience fun and something they can't wait to try again, I've succeeded.”

Refreshments will be available at all the Push The Boat Out events, with a host of shoreside activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy too. Find all the details for your nearest Push The Boat Out venue at www.rya.org.uk/ptbo

Almost 400 venues across the UK are inviting people to Push The Boat Out in May. Over 22,000 people regularly go along to their local sailing club every month across the Midlands, sailing small sailboats or windsurfing.