A SAILING club has won funding to replace its fleet of junior training boats ahead of the new season.

Teesdale Sailing and Watersports Club, based at Grassholme Reservoir in Lunedale, has provided opportunities for youngsters in Teesdale and the wider area to experience the sport of sailing for several years.

Under the auspices of the F3 Club, children aged from eight to 12 have been taught to sail by the club’s team of Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualified instructors. Such has been the success of the programme that some of the youngsters have gone on to gain regional and national recognition.

Last year Covid-19 meant that no instruction could take place, but the club did not stand still. Instead it submitted a bid to the Teesdale Area Action Partnership for funding to replace its fleet of 20-year-old junior training boats. The club has now received confirmation that funding has been awarded and is in a position to order new state-of-the-art training craft for the new season.

Imogen Gibb, the RYA principal at the club, said: “I can’t wait to start teaching kids to sail in these fantastic new boats."

The junior club has been renamed as the "On Board" club to fit in with the RYA national branding, and will start to operate on Saturdays from early May.

“Sailing is a great Covid safe outdoor sport,” said club commodore Anthony Tubbs. “We are really looking forward to getting back on the water and introducing youngsters to this exhilarating pastime. The new boats will really help us to introduce even more young people to the sport, and we thank the TAAP for their support. Without this grant we would not have been able to continue to offer this opportunity."

Instruction and use of boats is free of charge, and so is accessible to all. Anyone whose child would like to have a go at sailing is urged to get in touch with the club at info@tdswc.org.uk