About 50 people participated in all matter of yachting experiences yesterday, including sailing on a catamaran, trimaran, trailer sailors and dinghies.
Sailing instructor Tim Vick said the open day was not aimed at just children but anyone who had ever thought about it but had never actually tried it.‘‘It's about getting people out in boats and on the water,'' Mr Vick said.
‘‘It's one thing coming down and seeing all these boats out there but it's another thing coming down and having a go.''
Sailing was not as easy to get involved in as other sports due to the fact you could not just go and pick up a ball and play, so having the open day encouraged people to try it, Mr Vick said.
Eddie Gardner (14) had his first go at sailing and said he enjoyed the speed and being on the water with his dad. He was a bit unsure about having to get wet though, he said.
A barbecue and refreshments were on hand as well as Yachting New Zealand's Learn to Sail equipment.
YNZ regional support officer Graeme Wall said events had been staged at different clubs around Otago during the past week, as having just one day did not cater for everyone.
‘‘It's a link in for people to go 'wow, I can learn how to sail','' he said.
