We would like to encourage your young sailors to come and take part, with activities for all abilities. For windsurfers, the event will be on Saturday 11 June at Queen Mary Sailing Club. For sailors, the event is taking place at Grafham Water on 18/19 June, with a Championship fleet for Optimists, Toppers, RS Feva XL, Tera (Sport Rig), Cadets & ILCA 4s; and a Regatta Fleet for Optimists, Toppers, Tera (Sport Rig), Cadets and RS Feva XL (no spinnakers).
We are also running an OnBoard fleet on 18/19 June at Grafham Water aimed at sailors with Stage 2 or above (ideally under 13 years of age) who are fairly new to sailing but keen to take part in an event outside their home club. This supported, friendly and fun event will be more of a festival, with a focus on ‘games with aims’ rather than racing, and developing the OnBoard character attributes through creativity, confidence, teamwork, independence, determination and communication. Young sailors can take part in any suitable class of dinghy, with boats also available to hire at no extra cost – so if you don’t have your own boat, no problem! The event runs for two days – young sailors can take part on both days or just Saturday (cost £45 both days, £25 Saturday). You can find out more and book here.
Jen Miller, East Region Sailing Development Officer and organiser of the OnBoard fleet, said “We’re looking forward to a weekend of fun on the water, run by myself and other RYA instructors. We’ll be playing fun games and exercises on and off the water, all whilst seeing some of the racing that happens at the Junior Championships. It’s a great opportunity for young sailors to experience sailing in a new venue and see what it’s like at the large racing event, all whilst learning at a little more on the water and gaining some more confidence. I’m really looking forward to seeing sailors from all over the East coming along”.
Last year the event was held in September and young sailors enjoyed games and making new friends, all whilst working on developing the OnBoard character attributes. Katie, whose daughter Scarlett sailed in the fleet, said: “Scarlett has really struggled with her confidence on the water over the past few months…You’ve turned her view of being in a boat around, taught her an awful lot of sailing skills and made her feel much happier about being on the water – an extremely successful weekend!”, whilst Julia, whose daughter also sailed, commented “Milly said it was the most fun she’s ever had sailing. Her favourite part was the Lego game”.
Nominations are also open for the John Merricks Sailing Trust Boat and Boards Scheme, which sees new boats available for 2 years to young sailors who display enthusiasm and commitment to the sport and who may not ordinarily have the opportunity or financial backing to achieve their goals, after which the boats are then passed onto their Club. Part of the eligibility criteria is to enter the British Youth Sailing Regional Junior Championships – find out more and nominate a young sailor here.
