BROADEN your horizons by setting sail with Gwent's leading yacht club.

The sailors at Newport's Uskmouth Sailing Club travel far beyond the waters of the Usk - some have made it as far as the Baltic.

Having started their season in April the club's summer activities are now in full swing with regular races and regattas.

The Royal Yachting Association affiliated club, which is based on the grounds of the former Uskmouth power station, is always happy to welcome anyone interested in trying out the sport.

In the summer members take part in competitions in the Bristol Channel and crews sail round Britain, Ireland, the Mediterranean and the Baltic .

Ray and Carol Fradd are keen members. Since retiring they spend up to six months of the year on the water.

The Fradds have been sailing all their lives and now their children and grandchildren have all followed in their footsteps. The Fradds are currently on their 36ft yacht Stormchaser sailing around the Greek Islands.

They keep in touch with fellow yacht club members by posting news of their adventures on the club's website. This allows all the members to keep track of each other as they ply the seas of Europe.

Former Commodore, Carol, 56, said: "It's a real family activity and we all get together to crew the boat. Because you have your own means of travel and accommodation combined it is not that expensive and you are always independent."

"We race, take part in regattas and organise special trips. We have social gatherings on Tuesday and Saturday evenings in the club house even in the winter."

Carol added: "We're always encouraging people to come and try out sailing. You don't have to have a boat to become a member. People are always looking for crews and it's a wonderful way of getting out in the open and experiencing something new."

Once a year a party of children from Belarus who were affected by the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster come over for special trips. Sailing gives them, and anyone who tries it, more confidence and a different way of looking at the world.

For more information check out the website at www.nusc.co.uk or call the club on 01633 271417.