THREE high performance sailing dinghies were launched for the first time on Sunday by Beccles Amateur Sailing Club (BASC).The club was holding its open day and took the chance to show off its new “fully loaded” RS Fevas, complete with a triple-stack road trailer, which was delivered from Southampton at the weekend.

THREE high performance sailing dinghies were launched for the first time on Sunday by Beccles Amateur Sailing Club (BASC).

The club was holding its open day and took the chance to show off its new “fully loaded” RS Fevas, complete with a triple-stack road trailer, which was delivered from Southampton at the weekend.

For the past 18 months, BASC has been working hard towards updating the club with the new sailing dinghies. The boats were acquired with the financial support of the Broads Authority and the Foundation for Sports and Arts.

BASC also recently purchased a 40hp RIB Safety Boat, funded by the Beccles Townsland Charity Trust. It is hoped these latest additions will help the club achieve RYA Championship Club status this year.

The boats were purchased through the efforts of the committee, mainly through BASC Commodore Richard Deller and treasurer Richard Baylis.

They are added to BASC's fleet of Toppers, GP14s and Optimists, which are already used to train and improve the skills of members throughout the sailing season.

Representatives and honoured guests at the day included the Chief Executive of the Broads Authority, John Packman, and his wife Caroline; John Ash, from the Sustainable Development Fund at the Broads Authority; Alan Mallett, a committee member from the Broads Authority, Rachael and Richard Card from the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association; and Monty Pitkin and James Hartley from the Beccles Townsland Charity Trust.

Soon after the launching ceremony, club juniors wasted no time in putting the Fevas through their paces as they joined other club members on the water who were already busy entertaining visitors.

The club would like to thank the sponsors and honoured guests for making it possible.

Commodore Richard Deller would also like to thank the volunteers who kept visitors entertained on the water or in the clubhouse.

Plenty of new members joined up on the day and the sailing school, which starts on May 8, is now fully booked.