I am excited to share that I am now in my new role as the Regional Development Officer across the North, continuing in the North West and taking over from Sam Usher in the North East.
I’m eager to connect with both regions, learn from their experiences, deliver joined-up training activities and work together to grow and develop our sailing community in the North.
As the summer holidays approach, getting out and about visiting clubs across the North and feeling the buzz of activities has been fantastic.
I enjoyed being part of the British Youth Sailing Regional Junior Championships; both the windsurfing at Glossop and sailing at Bassenthwaite were fantastic, and to have over 190 enthusiastic young sailors join in at Bassenthwaite is incredible. It was great to see and it was the biggest event in the UK, a true spectacle!
Festival atmosphere
The atmosphere at the campsite was reminiscent of a lively festival, and the camaraderie between parents, sailors and newcomers added to the joyous experience.
Despite being bitten by the midges, the event was, without a doubt, a highlight of my June. It was terrific to get three fleets together in an event that was as much for newcomers as it was for the national level competitors.
However, the summer is only just starting, and I wish all clubs who are about to run their big events across the North of England the best of luck. There are too many to mention, but in the North West, the highly anticipated Bass Week takes place 5-13 August, and in the North East, the Dart 18 Worlds comes to Royal Yorkshire YC from 30 July-4 August.
As we prepare for these fantastic big events, let’s dive into some noteworthy updates and opportunities in the sailing world.
Celebrating success
First, let’s take a moment to celebrate some incredible achievements. A huge congratulations to Ullswater YC brothers Matty and James Lyons for their outstanding achievement in winning an epic Lord Birkett Trophy at the start of July.
With 280 competitors and challenging windy conditions, it was a fantastic display of sailing. Well done to all competitors and Ullswater for putting on a tremendous event once again.
It was also great to meet the Manvers Waterfront Boat Club team in Yorkshire for a really positive meeting. They have a thriving membership and a keen interest in developing their windsurfing programme.
The dedication and passion within the club are genuinely inspiring, and I’m excited to collaborate with them in their journey towards expanding their windsurfing offerings. Exciting opportunities are already on the horizon!
Bridging the gap
Scaling Dam SC meanwhile is working hard to bridge the skills gap for members wanting to get on the water more often or start racing, which has seen a boom in participation.
Support has included race coaching, ‘how-to’ video guides, fleet support and e-newsletters, and interestingly, longer standing members have also found these extras resources useful as a refresher.
Take a look to see if you can pick up any ideas for your club.
Instructor courses & CPD
There’s been a rising demand for training and we’re thrilled to announce a midweek Dinghy Senior Instructor course at Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club, 26-29 October, live now for bookings.
In the North West, there will be a weekend course option at Hollingworth Lake water activity centre on the first two weekends in November. Keep an eye out for bookings opening later this month.
For those instructors or aspiring instructors craving thrilling adventures, there’s also an array of opportunities to try wing surfing or wing foiling at Yorkshire Dales SC and Scaling Dam SC this month and early August. Hurry, as places are limited! Book Now
Other courses bookable on the RYA North East Instructor & CPD hub include:
- Instructor Skills Development (DI/SI), 12 August, Filey SC.
- Dinghy Instructor Pre-Entry Assessment, 29 July, North Yorkshire Water Park
- Dinghy Instructor Course, 14-18 August, North Yorkshire Water Park
- Instructor Skills Development (DI/SI), 2 September, South Shields SC
- Dinghy Instructor Pre-Entry Assessment, 16 September, Scaling Dam SC
- Dinghy Instructor Course, 21-22 & 28-30 October, Scaling Dam SC
Census reminder
Thank you to all clubs who have completed their annual RYA Club Membership Census; if you still need to complete yours, please return these by 13 August. For any additional information, feel free to reach out to Victoria in head office who will be able to help.
And finally…
The fabulous North East & Yorkshire Youth Traveller Series is hoping families in the region and beyond will join its treasure hunt! Could you help the organisers track down two trophies which have been lost in the mists of time? Find out more and check your shelves and sideboards… let’s see if we can reunite these trophies with the series in time for the association’s 40th anniversary prizegiving!
Until next time, Adam.
