Centre bids to uncover stars of the future as Sutton-In-Asfield get OnBoard 

Sutton-In-Ashfield get OnBoard

Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club is hoping to find Britain’s next sailing superstar after signing up to OnBoard, the flagship kids’ grassroots scheme run by sailing’s national governing body, the RYA.  

With three-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie leading the all-conquering British sailing team into London 2012, Sutton-in-Ashfield SC is laying down the foundations for local youngsters to follow in their footsteps through the RYA’s hugely-successful nationwide OnBoard initiative.  

Youngsters from Saville House School became the first group to start OnBoard sessions at Sutton-in-Ashfield SC on Wednesday 16 May, with the kids aiming to achieve their RYA Youth Sailing Stage 1 award over eight consecutive weeks.  

RYA OnBoard provides low cost sailing and windsurfing opportunities for local school and youth groups, enabling kids aged eight to 18 to learn to sail. If the youngsters enjoy the sport, and want to start taking it more seriously, RYA OnBoard clubs have pathways in place to enable them to develop their skills further and, if they wish, start racing.  

Martin Payne, OnBoard Instructor at Sutton-in-Ashfield SC, said: “We are delighted to be joining the RYA OnBoard network. We want to make sailing as fun and accessible for any and every young person, regardless of age, gender and background and OnBoard provides us with another fantastic opportunity to do that.  

“OnBoard is a recognised standard of quality so children, and their parents, know they will be receiving the best tuition in a safe, friendly environment. Because it is a nationwide scheme, they also know that should they move area or join a different club they can slot straight back into their OnBoard activities.”   

Sutton-in-Ashfield SC are enthusiastic participants in the RYA’s nationwide London 2012 initiative, Sail for Gold, celebrating Britain's unmatched Olympic sailing heritage and inspiring more people to get out on the water more regularly.

Sail for Gold aims to bring the buzz of the Olympics as close to home as possible for everyone, wherever they live.  

RYA OnBoard has got an impressive track record in enthusing young sailors – over 350,000 OnBoard beginner sessions have been run across the UK since 2004, with over 19,000 young people taking up sailing or windsurfing on a regular basis. There are over 230 OnBoard Clubs and Centres nationwide.  

Any local schools and youth groups interested in getting involved in OnBoard should contact Sarah Cartwright, RYA OnBoard Development Officer for Nottinghamshire, at sarah.cartwright@rya.org.uk

For more information about Sutton-in-Ashfield SC visit www.suttoninashfieldsailingclub.co.uk