Jacob Miles, front, with Sun City Yacht Club secretary Sharyn Powell, past commodore Peter Todd, treasurer Shelly Miles and commodore John Utley.
Camera IconJacob Miles, front, with Sun City Yacht Club secretary Sharyn Powell, past commodore Peter Todd, treasurer Shelly Miles and commodore John Utley. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Sun city sailing sessions

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

Secretary Sharyn Powell said the club would hold the first Discover Sailing day at Two Rocks Marina on August 16, and another on September 20.

‘It’s for everybody ” people have an opportunity to hop into the boats and go for a sail if the weather permits,’ she said.

Incoming commodore John Utley said he, his wife and two daughters (aged 17 and 10) had enjoyed the family activity since joining the club and starting to sail about three years ago.

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‘The key attraction is the whole family aspect,’ he said.

‘There is still plenty of room to sail within the marina.

‘At the moment we can sail in something that’s really quite safe ” that’s great for little kids.’

Working on a fly-in, fly-out roster, Mr Utley said the club offered flexibility for people to come and go and there was a shift to make sailing ‘not an elitist sport anymore’.

Following the six-month closure of the boat ramp last summer, the yacht club reportedly suffered financially and had a drop in membership numbers.

The club usually collects boat ramp fees to boost its income, but after the ramp reopened in April, marina manager Sun City decided to suspend the $7 fee until November to entice people back.

It also reimbursed the yacht club’s rent for a year, although Ms Powell said they still faced several months of no income from the boat ramp. Mr Utley said the club had modest membership fees, and Ms Powell said they were planning programs and events to attract more members.

‘We have huge plans for running accredited Yachting Australia courses over the summer months with school holiday and weekly programs being organised by the club,’ the Two Rocks resident said.

‘This year we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary and we are hoping to use this special occasion to lift our profile in the area ” there’s not many places around here that can boast 40 years.’

Using the club’s fleet of 17 sailing boats of various sizes, instructors will teach people aged six years and older rigging and sailing techniques.

The free sessions will run from 9am to 1pm, followed by a sausage sizzle.