Since my last blog it’s been a busy few weeks – and it’s been great to see so many people both in the Region and beyond. Read on for more information…
Looking ahead to the season
With many clubs starting up activity this month, thoughts have firmly moved to the start of the 2023 season. As this may also be the time in which members are renewing their memberships, it’s a great opportunity to think about your membership offer and let members know why they should renew.
Regional Training Days and development opportunities
It’s also a good time to be providing refresher courses and updates for your instructors, coaches and volunteers. On Sunday 12 March I will be running the RYA East Regional Training Day at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook. Aimed at anyone involved in the practical delivery of activities supported by the RYA small craft schemes, we are looking forward to a day of skills development both on and off the water, and I look forward to letting you know more about activities on the day in next month’s blog. Don’t forget that we have a whole range of East Region Instructor development opportunities – which you can find here or the latest updates on our social media pages. You can also contact jen.miller@rya.org.uk
RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
I spent the weekend of 25-26 February at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, and it was great to catch up with so many from the Region. The Show itself had a great buzz and you can find out more about it here.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Blackwater Sailing Club, which was announced as a finalist in the RYA and Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year, supported by Gallagher, at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. It has proved to be a great start for the Club, which also recently saw one of its members, 18-year-old Charlie Dixon, named UK Windsurfing Association’s Windsurfer of the Year. He was featured on BBC Look East earlier in the week, talking about his inspiration for activities and achievements, you can see the piece here.
Nominations open for 2023 RYA Volunteer Awards
The RYA Volunteer Awards for 2023 have opened, so if your club has an outstanding volunteer, why not nominate them for an award – find out more.
RYA East Fleets for sale
The RYA East Regional Fleets are currently for sale, and offers from clubs and centres, along with a statement outlining how you would use the fleets are currently invited (to be sent to the RYA East Secretary, Tim Wood: tim.w.wood@btinternet.com by Tuesday 4 April 2023.
The fleets include:
Toppers
There are six Toppers on a Mersea Trailers purpose-built stacking trailer (no trolleys). Four of the boats were new in April 2014 and are numbers 47586 to 47589. The other two are a couple of years newer. Offers circa £3,500 are invited for the six on their trailer.
Teras
There are two trailers of three Teras each, again on Mersea Trailers purpose-built stacking trailers, and one unused spare hull that was purchased for display on the ‘events trailer’. They were new in May 2013. Offers circa £2,500 are invited for each trailer (no trolleys) and £750 for the unused spare hull (with trolley).
Optimists
These are double skinned polyethylene ‘Optibat’ training type Optimist replicas. They were new in June 2013. There are six boats on a Mersea Trailers purpose-built stacking trailer. Offers circa £3,500 are invited for the six boats on their trailer.
Events Trailer
This was purchased new at the end of 2019 to promote the fleets hire at events and has never been used. It was designed to take a Tera hull on the top but of course could take any dinghy of a suitable size. Offers circa £1,600.
Discover Sailing
Clubs can sign up to the “Discover Sailing” programme, which once again will see discover and re-discover sailing events taking place throughout the season. The deadline for signing up is the 7th of each month. You can find out more and add your event here.
Dinghy Trails
There have been a number of new East Region Dinghy Trails launched, mainly on the Norfolk Broads, providing an opportunity for you to explore the beautiful waterways of the region. You can check them out here. If you have an idea for a dinghy trail and that you’d like to tell us about, please get in touch.
Keep in touch
Don’t forget to tell us what you’ve been up to – remember that you can use our new media events form here, and you can also follow us on our web pages, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
See you soon,
Robbie
