KIELDER Yacht Club is celebrating a return to the water and its 40th anniversary year with a full programme of sailing and socials.

Watersports were among the first to return following lockdown and the club is now planning to make the most of the season.

Having welcomed back its existing members, the family-friendly club will also be hosting a Discover Sailing open day on Saturday, June 19 for anyone keen to find out more about getting on the water.

Retired data manager Paul Thompson, of Morpeth, joined Kielder YC two years ago after being taken out for a sail by a friend at the club. He said: “I was immediately hooked and within six months, my wife and I had bought a small cruising boat. We’re very much still learning, as we didn’t get much sailing in 2020 because of the pandemic, so we’re looking forward to getting back out this year.

“Kielder is beautiful and it can be completely tranquil or when the winds pick up, it can be challenging, so it’s the best of both worlds for complete novices and for people who are experienced, and because it’s not the sea you feel safer as there’s always a shoreline. Everyone at the club is willing to help and we also enjoy it because of the friendships we’ve made.”

Paul recently won a photography competition run by Royal Yachting Association North East (RYA) to highlight boating across the region. Describing his award-winning image, he added: “It’s always calm in the morning and on that day, I opened the hatch and it was so gorgeous I took a picture. I entered it for the competition because I really am proud of the club and how beautiful the place is.”

Kielder YC was founded in 1981 and Sir Ben Ainslie - the most successful sailor in Olympic history - has sent a video message to the club with his best wishes for its 40th birthday. The official opening of northern Europe’s largest man-made lake by the Queen took place in 1982, so the club will be celebrating again next year too!

Based at Whickhope Inlet, part of the 27-mile shoreline of Kielder Water, the club offers an extensive social, cruising and racing programme. The community spirit at Kielder YC has seen more than £800 raised to secure a club defibrillator and as Covid restrictions continue to ease, members are also looking forward to being able to fully use their clubhouse again with its panoramic views.

Commodore Matt Bridger said: “It’s just great to get boats back on the water, it’s such a wonderful place to sail. My brother and I bought a yacht five years ago and brought it to Kielder to check it on an inland water, rather than set off straight out to sea, and enjoyed it so much we stayed!”

For further information about Kielder YC or to get in touch about the club’s Discover Sailing open day visit: www.kielderyachtclub.com