A new generation of inspirational young sailors were celebrated in the RYA Musto Youth Awards presented recently at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show
The awards celebrate the achievements of young people in the sport whether on the racecourse, volunteering, instructing, coaching or overcoming adversity. They were presented by Olympic gold medallist Dylan Fletcher and RYA Director of Racing, Ian Walker.
London and South East youngsters scooped four of the ten awards.
They are:
Ben Clark (16) from Buzz Active
Mia Gray (14) from Felpham Sailing Club
Jacob Websdale (13) from Margate Yacht Club
Leo Wilkinson (17) from Maidenhead Sailing Club/Hayling Island Sailing Club
Buzz Active said in nominating Ben Clark: “Whilst volunteering at our centre Ben has contributed a great deal towards our courses and events. This summer Ben has helped on the RYA OnBoard, Team15 windsurfing and large school taster sessions. He wants to become a Dinghy Instructor, so he’s gaining the knowledge and experience he’ll need for the course.
“As the summer went on Ben’s confidence in dealing with members of the public grew and he was always obliging, understanding and friendly. Many young sailors have felt the huge impact he has had on their lives, guiding them towards their goals in sailing or windsurfing. Because of the enjoyment he brings to the sessions, more and more junior sailors are joining the OnBoard and Team15 sessions. He is such a role model to the younger generation here at Buzz Active and it’s been really rewarding seeing that unfold over the summer months.”
Ben said of his award: “I am extremely proud and honoured to get this award. I would like to thank Buzz Active Eastbourne, not only for nominating me for the award, but also for being super helpful and supportive in developing me as a sailor and future instructor. I really love being an assistant instructor and watching junior sailors grow in confidence is extremely rewarding.”
Mia Gray has been a member of Felpham Sailing Club (FSC) for five years, and has shown a real passion for the sport and the club. The club wrote of Mia: “She was the youngest cadet captain FSC has ever had and she achieved this by nominations from her fellow cadets. She is a popular and extremely kind young sailor who has achieved so much.
“Mia was awarded an RS Tera from the John Merricks Trust in 2019, and this has meant she has been able to represent the club at various events. This Tera will be given back to the club, which then helps another young sailor achieve their goals. Mia is the Felpham Tera expert and teaches lots of beginners how to rig and sail in them. She is always on hand to help training, and was only 12 when she gained her Assistant Dinghy Instructor qualification.
“Mia has helped both children and adults and is particularly patient and kind with those who are nervous. She also helps with lots of social and charity events. Mia was part of the Two Harbour Tera squad at Emsworth Sailing Club for two winters running and bought the skills she learnt there to Felpham, showing how much she had improved. Other achievements for Mia include a certificate of achievement from the RYA, twice was 3rd girl Tera sailor at the RYA Junior Regional Championships and this year was 1st place! She is always modest, always kind and an asset to our club.”
Mia said of her award: “I was really pleased to be nominated, and over the moon to be one of the winners. I love helping others to learn to sail, both adults and children, and I enjoy seeing them enjoy it as much as I do.
“My inspiration comes from those who have helped me since I started sailing. I am so grateful for the support I receive from Felpham Sailing Club, and my family for always encouraging me. Thank you to everyone and I can’t wait for the 2022 sailing season.”
Margate Yacht Club was similarly impressed with Jacob Websdale, writing: “Jacob has made a huge difference to the growth of youth sailing at Margate and a consistently positive contribution to the wider running of the club greater than we would expect from any youth sailor. He has sought out opportunities to further his sailing and racing with Kent Schools Sailing Association, National Schools Sailing Association (NSSA), RYA London and South East and his class association. This extends to trying as many different aspects of sailing as possible such as crewing for club members in Ramsgate week, learning buoyage and navigation and crewing under the tutorage of more experienced club members during our racing activities.
“Jacob stepped forward to train as an RYA Assistant Dinghy Instructor which he passed and has volunteered every Wednesday evening to support the new junior members through their RYA Stage 1 & 2 qualifications. In addition to this, Jacob would then stay on the water to race in the adult series straight afterwards most weeks. He is always quick to volunteer when the club ask for help, from boat park maintenance to painting and decorating, always showing pride in his work and in his club. He attends committee meetings as the ‘cadet rep’ and shares part of the decision making for their activities.”
Jacob said of his award: “I’m really honoured to receive this. I hope that it will inspire more youth sailors to volunteer within their clubs. I’m grateful to the coaches at my club, my RS Tera squad and KSSA for all the time they give.”
Over at Maidenhead Sailing Club Topper World Champion Leo Wilkinson continues to progress. The club writes: “Leo was selected to represent Great Britain in ‘29ers’ at the Youth World Sailing Championships in Oman in December. This is the pinnacle goal of youth sailors. So how did this happen? Leo won the Topper World Championships in 2019 and made the rare direct move from the RYA UK Topper Junior Squad to the RYA UK 29er Youth Performance Squad and is now in his third year in that squad. Along the way, Leo and his crew were the 29er Grand Prix National Series winner in 2020/21 and he came 3rd in the 2020 Aero Nationals – the 1st Youth. He also dabbles in RS800, 49erFX, Wing-foiling and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, and has recently begun sailing the 49er.
“Leo started sailing aged 10 and he’s been volunteering at Maidenhead Sailing Club, coaching youths and juniors since he was 14. He gives as much time as he can, on top of his own training, events and the all-important school work.”
Leo was unable to attend the awards – above he’s on the helm. Photo credit Sander van der Borch/Lloyd Images/Oman Sail
Leo said of his award: “I am happy to get this award – I just love my sailing and enjoy helping other sailors.”
At the awards presentation Ian Walker said: “Congratulations to all the winners. It’s very impressive hearing what these young sailors have achieved in their lives. To have learnt so much about sailing themselves is a huge achievement, but to encourage others into our sport with such passion shows that the future of the sport is in good hands”.
Hugh Brayshaw, Musto Marketing Projects Manager added: “We’re very proud to be sponsoring the Youth Awards again especially when we learn about the worthy winners and their stories. Hearing about how sailing has helped overcome difficult times in a young person’s life and the time donated to volunteering in their clubs is very inspiring to us. We hope this year’s winners enjoy the Musto kit, it is extremely well deserved”.
Find out more about how to get youngsters into sailing https://www.rya.org.uk/start-boating/childrens-sailing
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