A MEMBER of Bolton Sailing Club has received a prestigious award to round off a great year for the club.

Youth sailor Alex Collins was crowned the Travellers Champion for the first time, having racked up six Open Competition wins over the 2015 season.

Alex, aged 19, who has no family history of sailing and only started learning the sport at the club a few years ago, secured the title ahead of 115 other sailors.

“Dinghy sailing is an inclusive sport and easy to learn so why not give it a go?” said Alex, paying tribute to the social nature of the sport.

The year 2015 was a brilliant one for the club as a whole, not just for Alex, which saw increased participation in the Supernova class, with over 30 dinghies a regular sight at each event.

The sport looks to set to grow even more in 2016, with 120 boats already confirmed for the National Championships in Llandudno in July.

Combined with continued online growth, increased sponsorship, and 23 events to look forward to this year, the sport certainly has the wind in its sails.

If you’d like to follow in Alex’s footsteps, Bolton Sailing Club is always looking for new members. Contact Don Appleton on 0844 77 456 88 or alternatively email newmembers@sail.org.uk