IF YOU’VE ever fancied a nautical life, call in at South Cerney Sailing Club where they’re offering taster sessions for would-be sailors.

The club celebrates its Diamond Jubilee this year, and it’s holding a second Open Morning on Saturday, July 11 to offer people of all ages and experience the chance to try their sport.

Visitors and prospective new members are always welcome at the club, situated on Station Road, and using Lake 16 of the Cotswold Water Park, but the Open Morning from 10am to 1pm is specifically aimed at showing off the facilities and services on offer.

Boats will be available to offer taster sails, with experienced sailors at the helm, and buoyancy aids available to borrow. There’s no fee: just bring a change of clothes if you aim to take to the water.

Paul Kimmens, vice commodore, said: “Our first Open Morning in May, part of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA)’s Push the Boat Out initiative, was such a success that we are very pleased to be running a follow-up event.

Already some of the people who visited us in May have been on training courses and are out on the lake sailing, many taking advantage of the club’s own boats. We look forward to welcoming potential sailors, young or more senior, to our fantastic club.”

The club was formed in 1955 on the largest lake in the Cotswold Water Park, and is one of the most successful in the region. It offers sailing, cruising and windsurfing activities, training and racing. An RYA training centre and RYA Champion Club, it has youth sailors in National and Olympic training programmes.

Racing takes place on Wednesday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays throughout spring and summer, while Sunday events continue through the rest of the year.

In its Jubilee Year, the club is organising 243 races over 109 days in addition to hosting open events for Cadet, Laser, Flying Fifteens, 420, Europe, Asymmetric and Solo fleets as well as the Albacore Inland Championships.

Vernon Perkins joined the club 18 months after visiting an Open Morning. He said: “I was hooked, and signed up on the day. One-and-a-half years later and 30kg lighter, I am now winning races, competing at the front and travelling throughout the south west competing at open events in the National Solo Class.”

For further information please visit http://southcerneysailingclub.org.uk/