A record 12 boats will be available for those who wish to try out sailing, at the Vikings Sailing Club open day being held at its premises at Haywharf on 28 May from 10am to 6pm.

The event was originally scheduled for 14 May but was postponed as it clashed with Mothers’ Day.

“This year we will have Lasers, Wayfarers and Topper dinghies available, as well as some keelboats. Some of the Toppers are for sale so this is the ideal opportunity to test drive them,” event organiser John Sammut said.

The annual event is always very popular, with hundreds of people coming down to see whether they would enjoy this exciting sport.

“Every year, many of those who come to the Open Day sign up for our own courses or for the Skolasajf sessions that we run on behalf of the Education Division over the summer months. Many of these then stay on as members,” he said.

Those who come down to the club will find crewed boats, lifejackets and rescue boats at their disposal. Up to four members of the public can sail at a time, making this an ideal family event.

As the event is aimed at raising funds for the club’s premises, donations are welcome. Food and drinks will be on sale and there will also be other bazaar events, such as the sale of factory surplus clothes.

It will also be an opportunity for the public to see the considerable work that has been done to the block granted to the club by parliament, which now offers storage space for members’ boats, full shower and toilet facilities, a social area and an office. The club has also installed gym equipment for its keen sailors who are now competing in local and international events.

www.vikingsailing.org