Rye Harbour Sailing Club (RHSC) is a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) – a not for profit organisation – run by volunteers.
Our vision for the club is that RHSC become integrated with the wider diverse community providing excellent inclusive sailing facilities for all, expert sailing tuition as well as sharing close ties and shared activities with other sailing and sports clubs, local organisations and schools.
For the last five years we have seen a significant increase in club members. So much so that we have outgrown our existing shower/changing room/toilet facilities. Neither do our existing facilities have access for people who are less abled nor do they meet the safeguarding standards expected for the number of young people who use them. The new facilities will be paramount in our plans to increase participation in sailing and provide a healthy sustainable future for the RHSC.
Our aim is to set up Royal Yachting Association (RYA) backed RHSC Sailability, a charity, to work in agreement with and for RHSC with the sole purpose of getting people who are less abled onto the water and that coupled with getting more youth, aged 14 to 25 years, on the water too, will mean we start to realise our vision to become a truly inclusive sailing venue. We are just starting up RHSC Sailability so please let us know if you would like to be part of this exciting new project by contacting davidtownsley1@hotmail.co.uk
The RYA website introduces Sailability like this;
53,000 young people and adults who are less abled are introduced to sailing per year, and many go on to sail on a regular basis.
Sailing is one of the very few sports in which able-bodied sailors and less abled sailors can participate on equal terms. Imagine the thrill of sailing for people who can feel and hear but have no sight, or of sailing a boat at speed even though they can’t walk, or of joining in a sport where deafness doesn’t matter. Sailability continues to encourage and support people who are less abled to take up the sport and facilitate sites to develop sailing opportunities.
Last year RHSC was awarded £75,000 from Sport England Inspired Facilities Fund, the maximum that can be awarded from that fund. Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm have backed our project with an award of £2,500. We have £20,000 of our own budget set aside for the project. Icklesham Parish Council has given RHSC a small grant to act as a gateway to the Rother District Council Community Grant of £30,000 which we have applied for. To date we have £100,000 toward the project. We are hoping our bid to Rother District Council will be successful. The total cost of our project is £146,000 and we have a shortfall of £46,000 that may partly be covered by the funding application to Rother District Council being successful.
What are we doing to help raise more funds?
Each year we take part in the RYA National Push the Boat Out Event and this year we attracted a record number of 57 taster sailors who tried having a sail in a dinghy or cruisers – a number of these taster sailors have now joined the club. During the sailing season we are holding more taster sessions every month, until the end of the season, sometimes with a fundraising theme. On 23 July we held a FUNdraising Fiesta raising £916.00. We have a partnership with The Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club and an agreement with The Rye Watersports to deliver dinghy sailing courses at reduced cost.
Local retailers are supporting RHSC. We need you to come and support two large events we are holding in September.
Pirate Fun Day 17 September
Come and have a go at dinghy taster sailing from 11.30am. From 1.30pm join in the fun with children’s games; tombola; face painting and Giant Bouncy Slide (if it’s not too windy); listen to the sounds of The Rye Bay Crew Band and take a look at the arts and craft stalls. BBQ and bar available. All welcome.
For more information about dinghy taster sailing call Simon Marsh 01233 758181 or email simon@hi-flyght.co.uk
Our Annual Commodore’s Dinner with Auction of Donations at The George in Rye on Friday 30 September
From 7pm listen to The Rye Bay Crew Band and enjoy a three course meal at the George in Rye for £27. followed by the auction.
Bid for donations given by local businesses that include a day course in bread making from The Lighthouse Bakery, RYA Start Yachting/Sailing Skills Weekend and VHF SRC interactive course from Nomad Sailing, an overnight stay at the Mermaid in Rye and much more. Look out for the video of donations coming soon on our facebook page and on www.rhsc.org.uk. Dress code lounge suit black tie optional.
All are welcome. You will need to book in advance making sure you return your application and menu choice by 14 September. Application form with menu available by emailing davidtownsley1@hotmail.co.uk or by calling 01797 223112
Follow us on facebook (don’t forget to like our page) and twitter www.rhsc.org.uk
Without the new shower block we are restricted in the diversity of people that we can get out on the water. If we cannot raise funds we will have to decline the offer from Sport England and return any other funding already received and the new shower block will not be built. Please do come along and help us to provide the local community with facilities that will encourage everyone to come and enjoy the freedom of sailing. If you simply want to make a donation please email davidtownsley1@hotmail.co.uk or for further information contact Caroline Wylson 07808 156352 or 01797 223112, email: carolinewylson@btinternet.com
Photos: RHSC