London and South East blog August 2019

Please keep up to date with all the latest news by following us on Facebook and Twitter, and why not visit our regional website

Regional Development Officer Steve Mitchell writes:

Firstly, my thanks to Sam Rowe who will be leaving the London and South East (LSE) team in August for pastures new as he joins the Kent Fire brigade. A Sailing Development Officer in the South East for eight years, Sam has been a crucial member of the team and has made an incredible contribution to the sport over the years. It’s been a pleasure working with Sam we wish him all the success in his new job.

I’m pleased to say that Sam will be supporting our future conferences and workshops where his new job allows and he will also continue as an RYA Coach Assessor and Centre Inspector.

The summer months are here (although it is raining outside as I write this blog!)…this time of year are our planning months for the winter programme which this year will again include the Affiliate Club Conference, winter club development workshops, and the LSE biennial Cruising Conference organised by the regional team.

Hot off the press

This year’s Affiliate Club Conference will be titled Putting People First to reflect the RYA’s continued commitment to supporting organisations with the challenges faced around volunteer and work force development and retention.

This is a key topic of conversation for pretty much all clubs and organisations I speak to so we’re looking forward to sharing ideas and creating discussion.

The conference will once again be supported by a number of HQ colleagues and I am pleased to announce that Richard Falk. RYA’s Director of Training & Qualifications, will be joining us.

The regional team will also be present to discuss your local needs.

Membership Census

Thank you to those clubs who have so far completed the Membership Census. For those yet to complete we look forward to receiving your support. The closing date is 15 August.

Our winter delivery will be tailored to the trends we receive from the membership census along with the discussions the teams have with individual clubs on membership trends. Did you know you can access your historical club membership census information? For more information on the census I would recommend the article found here

London & South East Region Junior Championships

This great end of season event has now been confirmed for the weekend 28th & 29th September and will run at Datchet Water SC. Find out more

Club of the Year 2020

Application are invited for RYA Club of the Year 2020, so why not enter your club? Nominations close on 20 September. Well done to Felpham Sailing Club for reaching the final at this year’s COTY.

Olympics

Lastly, the Olympics start in 12 months, on 24 July 2020. Keep your eye on the British Sailing Team website to check out the trials and tribulations from the selection process etc. Will there be any London & South East sailors involved? It’s worth thinking about what you can do to celebrate this at your clubs/centres.

Dates for the diary:

28 – 29 September 2019 LSE British Youth Sailing Regional Junior Championships at Datchet Water SC.

Sunday 24 November 2019 LSE Affiliate Club Conference at New Line Learning Academy, Ashford, Kent.

Sunday 12 January 2020 LSE Cruising Conference.

From the Chair

Regional team chair Helen Hofmann writes: With a new Prime Minister in place, boaters who sail internationally are starting to focus on Brexit implications. The RYA has been representing boating interests tirelessly in this respect, and a great deal of information is available on the RYA Brexit web page to help inform us. Please don't hesitate though to put any specific queries to the RYA Brexit team by emailing brexit@rya.org.uk

Warm summer weather has graced us and with the school summer holidays, many are trying out boating for the first time. By giving them a warm welcome, they will hopefully become regular participants and discover the continued joy of being out on the water.

We look forward to seeing many young people at the next RYA Regional Junior Championships at the end of September - with all abilities welcome, it's a chance to be part of a bigger event and get to know other sailors the same age - registration is open!

Island Barn becomes British Youth Sailing recognised

Congratulations go to Island Barn Reservoir SC on becoming a British Youth Sailing Recognised Club

Association of Thames Yacht Clubs (ATYC)

Here’s the July newsletter from ATYC with news of their annual rally at West India Dock on 24-26 August and more.

July headlines

Victory for Frensham Pond sailors at RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta

2019 Regional Junior Championships to be festival of youth sailing

Success for Sussex sailors at RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta

How Powerability is driving independence in London special school students

Para World bronze for Eastbourne’s Will Street

Reading SC awarded for developing tomorrow’s sailing stars

East Sussex Youngster overcomes challenges to win Panerai award