Salcombe Yacht Club has been recognised as one of the top sailing clubs in Britain after being shortlisted for the prestigious RYA Club of the Year Award 2012.

The national governing body award recognises clubs who excel at promoting the sport of sailing, encouraging people on to the water and making their activities varied and accessible to the community.

The overall 2012 winner from the shortlist of five will be announced at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace, London on Saturday, March 3.

Salcombe Yacht Club has made great strides in creating even more opportunities for local people to get involved in sailing over the past 12 months.

Situated on the Salcombe Estuary, it has gone from strength to strength, working hard to retain an active membership as well as increasing the number of people who get out on the water and sail.

The club aims to involve people from all walks of life and all ages, irrespective of gender or ability.

It has thriving cadet group training on Tuesdays, and fleet racing on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the season.

It has also introduced a new Ladies who Launch group, with the aim of encouraging women who have not sailed for a long time, or who usually crew, to take to the water and helm.

The club runs racing for members, regularly getting more than 50 boats of all classes out on the water, rain or shine, and it has a popular yacht section which runs rallies to sister ports throughout the year.

It welcomes new members and involves them not only in the sailing but also in the social side and the voluntary running of the club.

It is developing and improving its existing facilities in Cliff House, with the help of members and grant funding from the South Devon Coastal Local Action Group (SDCLAG).

The 2012 season starts on March 3 with the commissioning race.

However, commodore Malcolm Squire will lead a team of several club members on a different tack that day – they have the honour of travelling up to the Dinghy Show to collect their RYA club of the year finalist award.

SYC sailing co-ordinator Jayne Morris said: 'We are so grateful for the time and energy that Tony Wood and Pete Muskett from the RYA have given the club, to suggest ways to encourage more people to get out on the water and for the club to expand its sailing programme.

'We have fantastic sailing traditions in Salcombe and want to build upon these and broaden what the club can offer to future generations.'

RYA volunteer development officer Jackie Bennetts, who co-ordinates the awards, said: 'All this year's RYA club of the year finalists are excellent, well-run, vibrant and forward-looking clubs that really excel at what they set out to do.

'The club of the year awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight and promote all the good work clubs and their members put into keeping our sport alive.'

The other four nominees for RYA club of the year 2012 are Hollowell Sailing Club, Northamptonshire; Chichester Yacht Club, West Sussex, Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club, Greater Manchester and Staunton Harold Sailing Club, Derbyshire.

The RYA club of the year awards are supported by Gallagher Heath Insurance Services.