Lakes braced for sailing explosion

Last updated 12:06, Thursday, 21 August 2008

A WAVE of interest in sailing is being predicted by a Lakeland leisure business following Britain’s Olympic success.

It comes after British sailing stars clinched an unprecedented number of medals at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Not only did champion Ben Ainslie claim victory in the Finn class and Paul Goodison in the laser, but Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson took gold in the Yngling section.

Paul Brown, who works at the Windermere lakeshore-based centre, said he expected interest in training courses for both children and adults to rocket nationwide.

He said: “I’m saying that many people will have been inspired by the fantastic success of the British sportsmen and women in Beijing.

“Britain has been particularly successful in sailing, with golds for Ben Ainslie, Paul Goodison and the Yngling crew.”

Mr Brown added: “We’re lucky in the Lake District to have so many opportunities to get out on the water. Sports like sailing and canoeing are becoming increasingly popular both for the keen sportsmen and those who just want to have fun.”

According to the Royal Yachting Association, take up of any kind of boating activity, including cruising and racing, increased by more than seven per cent between 2006 and 2007.

The centre is also set to host another water-based sporting event next month.

Olympic swimmer Mark Foster is planning to join an expected 1,000 people in the mile-long Great North Swim, in Windermere, on September 13.