Otley Sailing Club, who are based at Weston Water, are hoping to boost their membership in their Golden Jubilee year.

Boosted by the visit of Princess Anne two years ago, the club are holding a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) spring course on the weekends of April 5-6 and 19-20, with theory lessons on the previous Thursdays.

The course is aimed at equipping the complete novice with the ability to sail a dinghy competently to RYA Level Two standard (accepted world-wide as sufficient to hire dinghys for recreational use).

However, the club also offer courses for accomplished sailors who wish to further their skills such as the Seamanship Skills' course, which is being run on May 3-4.

It is possible that the club will be offering places on these courses via a prize draw if that is seen as a way to boost membership.

In addition, Otley would also be interested in hearing from any windsurfers who are interested in running RYA courses at the club.

The club, which is not run for profit, already offers sailing for the able-bodied but also has links to the disabled via organisations such as The Hollybank Trust, John Smeaton Community College, Kids 4 Cancer and WASP Disabled Youth Club.

Further information on Otley Sailing Club is available from senior instructor Antony Cam on 07917-546859, by e-mail to antonycam@fsmail.net or via the club's web-site at www.otley-sailingclub.co.uk.

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