It has been a fantastic year so far for Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club, with continued growth, plenty of new faces and a real sense that the club is moving forward.

One of the most encouraging things has been seeing so many new members joining us at Stanborough Lakes. Some have come through the RYA Level 1 and Level 2 sailing courses run by Better, while others have discovered the club through friends, social media, our open days and local events.

For us, however, growth isn’t simply about increasing membership numbers. It is about getting people involved, getting them out on the water and helping them become part of the club.

Over recent months we have seen new members taking part in Sunday racing, recreational sailing and rescue boat duties, as well as simply coming along to enjoy the atmosphere. Seeing newer sailors gaining confidence and becoming regular members of the sailing community is probably the most rewarding part of our growth.

Sunday racing continues throughout the year and remains at the heart of the club. The racing is competitive, but it is also friendly and welcoming. You certainly don’t need to be an expert to take part. Sailors of different abilities race together, learn from each other and normally have plenty of laughs along the way.

We have also been putting much more focus on the social side of the club.

Our Thursday evening sailing sessions have given members another opportunity to get on the water without the pressure of racing. They are about sailing, practising, meeting other members and enjoying a summer evening at the lake.

And importantly, the social side doesn’t stop when the boats come out of the water.

Our regular get-togethers at Terrenivo Restaurant have become a great part of club life, with pizza, drinks, plenty of conversation and a chance for everyone to relax after sailing. These evenings are helping new and existing members get to know each other away from the water and are building an even stronger sense of community within the club.

We are also looking at more social sailing days, away days and events where members can experience sailing somewhere different while enjoying a day out together.

Perhaps the biggest sign of progress has been seeing groups of relatively new members sailing and racing together. It shows that we are beginning to build the next generation of regular WGCSC sailors alongside the fantastic long-standing members who have supported the club for many years.

There is still plenty more we want to do.

We want to introduce more people to sailing, encourage more members to get involved in racing, develop our social calendar and create even more opportunities for members to simply turn up, sail and enjoy themselves.

Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club has always been about sailing, but increasingly it is also about community, friendship and having fun.

Whether you are an experienced sailor, have recently completed your Level 1 or Level 2 course, or are simply wondering whether sailing might be for you, come along and meet us.

The club is growing, the community is getting stronger, and there has never been a better time to be part of it.