Entry is now open for the North East & Yorkshire Youth Traveller Series with a sparkling variety of inland and sea venues across the region.
More than 100 sailors competed in last year’s series, which provides accessible and fun open meetings for young sailors of all abilities to compete and develop their racing skills.
With prizes for the north and south of the region within the overall series of 11 open meetings in 2022, sailors have an option as to how far they want to travel and can enjoy getting on the water in whatever boat they choose, with a handicap racing format suitable for a wide range of classes.
Organised by North East & Yorkshire Youth Sailing Association, this year’s series kicks off on Saturday 23 April at Ripon SC and entry is now open here along with the Notice of Race. There is also a handy guide – “Notes for Competitors & Parents/Guardians” – which has lots of advice and tips.
As series organiser Fiona Spence explains: “Even if you’ve never sailed anywhere else before and feel nervous about travelling or taking a boat, fear not! This series is super friendly and supportive and both sailors and parents are always around to help. Sign up, take a deep breath and go for it!
“The series provides accessible, supportive and inclusive racing for youth and junior sailors of all ages and abilities. Those at the front are often competing in their chosen class at national level, while those at the back may be venturing onto a racecourse or visiting a new club for the first time.
“It offers an opportunity for new experiences and the chance to visit different clubs for competitive racing and friendships without the additional concerns of overnight accommodation as the majority of the venues are within a few hours’ travelling time of home, allowing families to be home in time for tea!”
It costs just £10 per boat to enter an open meeting in the series, with up to four handicap races scheduled for each event. Open to under-19s and with junior prizes for under-14s, sailors can compete on the North or South circuit within the overall series, with three events to count for each, or compete across the region for the overall series title, with five events to count.
At the suggestion of the sailors, a buddy system is also being introduced this year – with a prize for the winning buddy pair – encouraging those competing at the top end to support sailors further down the main fleet or in the regatta fleet for youngsters new to racing.
Sailors may enter all of the events in one go, or enter each event as they go through the season. Entry to each open meeting closes on the Thursday before the event to give the host club time to get organised. The full list of dates for your diary for the 2022 series is as follows:
- 23 April – Ripon SC
- 07 May – Yorkshire Dales SC
- 14 May – Scaling Dam SC
- 21 May – Derwent Reservoir SC
- 28 May – Covenham SC
- 11 June – South Shields SC
- 25 June – Sunderland YC
- 02 July – Yeadon SC
- 09 July – Teesdale Sailing & Watersports Club
- 16 July – Scammonden Water SC
- 17 September – Filey SC – finale and end of series BBQ
There is a QR code on the website which sailors and parents can scan to join the WhatsApp broadcast group about the series and keep up with information about events. The association also has a Facebook page which is a useful go-to for information about the series. For all the details and to enter visit www.yhysa.org.
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