Powering up Portsmouth
The Formula Kite European Championships are coming to Eastney Beach, Portsmouth, from 19 - 24 September 2023
As well as the opportunity to witness a dynamic, exciting new Olympic discipline right on their home shores, we want to use the event as a platform to create connected and inspired communities and build a brighter future for the city’s youth population through engagement with the water.
Community Engagement
Through the hosting of the Formula Kite Europeans, we aim to:
- Improve awareness of and access to watersports opportunities
- Activate a positive connection to sea conservation
- Improve health and well-being through active participation
- Signpost and improve career prospects in the marine industry
The RYA is working in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, the British Kitesurf Association, Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre Portsmouth and other local delivery partners to bring these aims to life.
Opportunities to get involved
Our goal is for the Formula Kite Europeans to be the launchpad for a longer-term shift in the ‘possible’ among local youth communities, creating a guided pathway of opportunities to deepen connections with watersports, participation and with potential water-based careers.
STEM teaching resources
Free to access curriculum-based and STEM-linked classroom resources are available for KS2 and KS3 teachers. The resources are aimed at introducing the event and the science behind the sport to their pupils. For immediate access to all the resources simply complete the form below
KS2 learning objectives:
- Identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction that act between moving surfaces
- Observe the effects of air resistance on parachutes
- Explore the effects of water resistance by making and testing boats of different shapes
KS3 learning objectives:
- Recognise and identify forces associated with kite foiling
- Describe how foils work
- List factors that affect the size of drag forces
- Investigate the effect of these factors on kite boarding
- Give reasons for the use of foils
Attend the Beach Club
There will be opportunities for schools and youth organisations in the Portsmouth area to attend the event from Tuesday 19 September to Sunday 24 September 2023. Groups will learn more about the exciting new sport of kite foiling up close and be able to take part in a specially-created Beach Club involving STEM activities and environmental challenges, as well as the opportunity to try out watersports.
Qualifications and careers
Longer term participation opportunities for schools and youth groups can also be arranged with our Regional Development Officer, leading on to potential qualifications and careers opportunities in the marine industry.
Why watersports?
It’s widely known that sport and physical activity can have a beneficial effect on health and mental well-being – and academic research has shown that these positive effects are amplified in challenging watersports where participants are stimulating and strengthening body and mind.
A study undertaken by Prof Bill Lucas and the University of Winchester in connection with the RYA’s OnBoard grassroots programme shows that watersports provide an excellent platform for developing the six key character attributes of:
- Independence
- Communication
- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Determination
- Confidence
“Before I didn’t know I could do it and now I feel I can do anything if I try.”
Young person
“One thing I have noticed in particular is them taking initiative and doing things themselves.”
Teacher
Get the teaching resources and register your interest
To download the teaching resources or to register your interest in attending the Beach Club or for further information on any of these opportunities, please complete the form below.
