An inspirational young windsurfer from North Lincs & Humberside Sailing Club has been recognised with a special award for his achievements.
Ethan Weeks, aged 17, of Barton-upon-Humber, was one of 10 young people from across the country presented with an RYA Musto Youth Award.
The annual awards run by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in partnership with Musto celebrate the achievements of youngsters across the sport, whether for racing, volunteering, instructing, coaching or overcoming adversity.
Ethan, an A level student at John Leggott College in Scunthorpe, was presented with his award by Olympic gold medallist Dylan Fletcher at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show held at Farnborough International in Hampshire.
Coaches from North Lincs & Humberside SC nominated Ethan for the award in recognition of both his own personal achievements in the sport and his dedication to now volunteering his time to inspire the next generation of young windsurfers.
Ethan started windsurfing at the club six years ago and despite struggling with communication, leadership and structure, took training step-by-step with the support of his parents and coaches, gaining selection to the RYA’s Regional Training Group for aspiring talent and competing both nationally and internationally.
Following disruption to his school routines and windsurfing caused by pandemic lockdowns, Ethan subsequently received a formal diagnosis for autism and ADHD, which proved to be a positive turning point alongside being able to get back on the water as restrictions eased.
Ethan volunteered his time to support training sessions and mentor young windsurfers, while developing his own skills by learning how to windfoil, which involves windsurfing with a hydrofoil to lift the board out of the water. He has now gained RYA Powerboat and First Aid certificates and is working towards becoming a qualified assistant windsurfing instructor so he can further support youngsters at the club and help out with safety cover.
His RYA Musto Youth Award included a trophy, Musto bag and vouchers, which Ethan plans to put towards new waterproof clothing to support his instructing. “Thank you to the people that nominated me and thank you to Musto for awarding me of course,” said Ethan. “It was an incredible experience that I am honoured to have been a part of.”
Windsurfing instructor Victoria Cheesman from the club said Ethan had shown great determination with his windsurfing and that while in the past he had tended to be “on the outside of a group looking in”, he now had friends all over the UK.
She said: “From the very beginning it was clear how much of a positive impact windsurfing had on him. Every time he went out on the water you could see his mood lifting. Ethan has worked really hard on his communication skills and his flexibility and has matured into a positive, more confident individual. He now wants to progress to his RYA Start Windsurf Instructor training so he can pass on his knowledge to beginners in the sport.”
North Lincs & Humberside SC is a family orientated club run by members, and is recognised by the RYA as a centre of excellence for British Youth Sailing and its OnBoard provision for children and young people wanting to learn how to sail or windsurf.
Ethan’s mum Caroline said: “Because it’s a small club and a good community, they know the children really well and how to teach each one in a slightly different way. They’re really good at embracing their differences and it’s a safe, fun and structured environment on a small lake where children can enjoy learning with the support of the coaches.”
Congratulating this year’s RYA Musto Youth Award winners, RYA Director of Racing Ian Walker said: “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: “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 North Lincs & Humberside Sailing Club at www.nlhsc.co.uk or explore the RYA OnBoard programme, which helps children and young people aged eight to 18 to get on the water, at www.rya.org.uk/start-boating/get-onboard-childrens-sailing
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