RYA Level 2 students being briefed by sailing instructor and race coach Malcolm Marsden.
Club boats Claymore and Musarkie leaving the Port of Fleetwood, bound for Piel Island.
CLUB FOCUS: Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club Hidden gem
A club between bustling Blackpool and beautiful Fleetwood is attracting a diverse membership
S
naking inland from Lancashire’s Fylde Coast is the Wyre Estuary where, along its banks, you’ll find Blackpool and
Fleetwood Yacht Club. Based within a river wildlife conservation area, yet with access to the Irish Sea, the club has much to offer the local sailing community. ‘This year we took a stall at our local
gala, even bringing along a dinghy for children to try their hand at sailing, albeit on land,’ says Susan Keirby, BFYC’s social secretary. ‘We believe
that by putting ourselves at the heart of a community event we’ll connect with people who might not think that sailing is for them and, hopefully, this will raise awareness of the sport and the benefits it offers for both physical and mental wellness.’ The links that BFYC
has with local schools and colleges also helps to promote sailing to families in the area. Susan explains, ‘We encouraged them to
“Being at a community event means we’ll connect with people who don’t think sailing is for them”
mention RYA’s Discover Sailing Day in their newsletters and were met with a very positive response to the idea that sailing is a fun way of encouraging resilience for young people.’ Susan says the club is proud of their long history of affiliation with the RYA. ‘With its backing, we’re able to deliver opportunities to all types of water-users. A large number of our new members join the club to take advantage of the RYA sailing courses we offer.’ BFYC is seeing ‘empty- nesters’ return to sailing and others discover the sport for the first time, later in life. Susan reports that ‘several of these recent joiners are already hooked – from being beginners, they’ve recently taken part in this
year’s Southport 24-hour race.’
www.bfyc.org.uk
Facts about Blackpool and Fleetwood YC:
O Tidal waters provide challenging racing conditions but as the club is four miles from the coast it still has the feel of an inland venue
OMany world, national and commonwealth champions have been or are members of the club
ILKA Open at the club in May 2024.
O It hosts the longest-running UK Winter Pursuit race – 2025 will be the 56th year
rya.org.uk WINTER 2024 63
Photos: BFYC
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
