Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gets OnBoard with local youngsters 

Ben Bradshaw MP tries his hand at dinghy sailing and windsurfing with youngsters down at Lagoon Watersports

Ben Bradshaw MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport took to the water yesterday (Sunday 27 September) with a group of local youngsters, when he visited Lagoon Watersports centre in Hove,  to find out more about the RYA’s (Royal Yachting Association) OnBoard sailing initiative.  

After an initial meet and greet with members of staff from the RYA and Lagoon Watersports, the minister donned his wetsuit and hit the water with the group of youngsters.   

Firstly he showed off his skills on the tiller of a Pico dinghy before trying his hand at windsurfing, both of which is pulled off with great finesse.  

It was then back to dry land for a chat with the kids about their sailing activities and a photo opportunity for the parents.  

Rachel Hayward, parent to one of the youngsters taking part said: "It’s fantastic to see Ben Bradshaw super fit, out on the water and taking time in his busy schedule, to take part with the children. My two boys attend OnBoard at the brilliant venue Lagoon Watersports which they enjoy very much and it has developed their confidence on the water through the excellent scheme."

Victoria Lenz, RYA Sailing Development Officer said: “Despite the fun element of the day it’s very important that people like the minister get to see programmes such as OnBoard in action. 

“Seeing first hand exactly what government funding is used for is the best way to raise awareness of the importance of these programmes that give local children access of these great sports.”  

The OnBoard programme run by the RYA, sailing’s National Governing Body, is a highly successful industry supported grass roots programme which seeks to make sailing and windsurfing easier to get into for young people.  

Over a ten year period the programme aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants.  

For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA’s website www.rya.org.uk or the OnBoard website www.ruob.co.uk.