MEMBERS of a popular sports club are getting excited as one of their own gets ready to take the waters of Rio De Janeiro at this year’s Olympic Games.

Chris Grube, who learned to sail at Bala Sailing Club, has spent the last month in South America preparing for the games, where he will partner Luke Patience in the men's 470 boat, making the most of his chance after the previously selected Elliot Willis was forced to pull out through illness.

The 31-year-old took up the sport at Bala on Llyn Tegid where he learned the fundamentals of sailing and he remains a member of the club to this day.

His gold medal race will be on at the same time as the club hosts an open day with people who are interested in getting involved in the sport invited to go down on August 17.

Club commodore Bob Walker said: “Chris started sailing when he was a very small lad, his father brought him to the club when he was about seven years old and he took to it like a duck to water.

“He was in the running to make the 2012 team but just missed out. Since he got together with Luke they have been winning events.”

He added that the club is getting behind the Chester sailor.

“We are all very proud of him and we have a huge banner on the front of the club to show our support and we all wish him a great deal of success.

“We are expecting a visit from him in September and hopefully he will be coming back with a gold medal,” he said.

Sailing at this year’s Olympics will take place at Marina da Gloria in Guanabara Bay.

Grube will be representing Team GB in the 470 dingy class which is a double-handed monohull planing dinghy with a centreboard, Bermuda rig and centre sheeting.