98FEATURETASTER DAYS
Hollingworth Lake is one centre that hosted an RYA Push The Boat Out event last May, with pre-book £ 5 hour-long tasters on. But Alister believes as many people just drop in to have-a-go because they’ ve seen what is going on, as actually book in advance, and Holllingworth is always ready to welcome both.
He said:“ We find some people are more nervous about trying windsurfing than sailing as they don’ t want to embarrass themselves falling in. But when they see other people doing tasters it gives them confidence to try. We always keep slots available so people who may have come to try sailing but see windsurfing and want to try it, or those who might just be walking around the lake, can have a go too.”
Social media, local media publicity, advertising, these are all important facets of raising event awareness, but word of mouth and drop-ins have proved to be the most critical things in getting numbers through the door time and time again.
Chase, for example, has Thursday night windsurfing with further informal tuition and intermediate clinicstyle sessions, while people who miss the Open Day and / or who would like to do a course but want to try it first are can go along for a pre-arranged taster session. The club’ s Friday night socials are also a big draw.
3. Sense of achievement
Both Chase and Hollingworth have clear taster session plans. On arrival at Chase visitors are welcomed to the clubhouse where they are asked what they’ re interested in. Wannabe windsurfers are taken to a lifejacket station, they then get 10-15 minutes on a simulator before being issued with a wetsuit and then getting on the water with one of six RYA instructors or experienced windsurfers. The aim is to get them sailing in a straight line and not falling off.
It’ s a similar routine at Hollingworth, as Alister continues.“ Tasters introduce the absolute basics. Using the simulator enables us to demonstrate board-balancing technique, what happens if you stand on the side and in the middle etc, and doing static turns. Once people are on the water we have a mark laid and the aim of the session is to get round the mark and get back.”
4. Give people a pathway
You want to capture the immediate buzz that comes from achievement so use the post-taster time to let people know what they can do next, RYA courses and beyond.
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WIND SURFING
Hollingworth offer a 10 % discount on RYA courses for people signing up at Push The Boat Out, while they run regular additional tasters every Sunday with pay-andplay kit is available for people with a bit more experience too. Meanwhile kids doing windsurfing as part of a five-day holidays multi-sports course package get £ 7 a week membership to Hollingworth’ s activity club, which includes Team15 and doing their RYA windsurfing Stage 3 and 4. Many of these go on to become instructors too.
5. Whatever the weather
Everyone wants bright sunshine and perfect beginner breeze. But don’ t despair if it isn’ t like this. Clubs and centres that stay open even on‘ bad’ days often report they get better course and membership uptake, as these are the super keen bods.
You can still show off your facilities and give visitors a real feel for who you are and what you offer, including possibly getting them on the simulator. Plus it gives you another chance to invite them back!
Mark concludes:“ Windsurfing runs all year round at Chase, but it’ s now we start seeing new faces. What we do works for us and we’ re looking forwards to the year ahead.”
To find out more about Push the Boat Out visit – www. rya. org. uk / go / PTBO