As a celebration of youth sailing, Sailing Development Officer Jen Miller, along with her team of helpers, welcomed 19 young people to take part in activities on the water, including ‘games with aims’ designed to build confidence on the water, such as basketball, tag, follow my leader and synchronised sailing.
Young sailors from clubs across the Region also enjoyed developing their sailing skills, plus some swimming and paddleboarding, given the warm weather. It was also aspirational for the young sailors to see the other fleets (Championship and Regatta) on the water – providing something to aim for in future years.
Activities were centred around developing the OnBoard attributes of teamwork, determination, communication, independence, confidence and creativity through on-the-water tasks and challenges.
Each year, one of the young sailors at the event is awarded the Chris Edwards’ Trophy in memory of Commander Chris Edwards RN Retd, a previous Chair of the RYA East Region and a member of the RYA Council, for the young sailor who demonstrates the most ‘determination and endeavour’ in their sailing at the event. This year it was awarded to Poppy Usher (sailing an Optimist) from Walton & Frinton Yacht Club Ltd, for ‘Outstanding development across the OnBoard characteristics over the weekend.’ Jen Miller, Sailing Development Officer, commented that “Poppy went from being very nervous and not wanting to sail anything but her own boat at the start of the weekend, to wanting to have a go at everything – a huge development!”
Run by sailing’s National Governing Body, the RYA, OnBoard is a hugely successful grass roots programme which seeks to make sailing and windsurfing easier to access for 8-18 year olds. Launched in 2005, the programme has helped introduce nearly 1,000,000 young people across the country to sailing and windsurfing.
The low cost sessions are designed to promote equal access to sailing for young people from all social and economic backgrounds, whilst encouraging their character development.
For more information about how to get out on the water in the East Region visit www.rya.org.uk/startboating.
