August 2021
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Steve Mitchell, Regional Development Officer, writes:
It was a joy to attend the National Schools Sailing Association (NSSA) National Regatta in Plymouth last month and a pleasure to support the amazing team that makes this event tick by helping with the rookie fleet. I'm a real believer that exposing young people to boating in these early years will lead them to either stay in the sport or return to the sport later in life so the legacy potential to such a large participation event is vast. Speaking of event legacy, Tokyo Gold medallists Giles Scott (Finn) and Stuart Bithell and Dylan Fletcher (49er) were all NSSA competitors in their youth.
A big well done to the London and South East School Sailing Associations and the many sailing clubs who attended the event, with many of these organisations taking top positions.
The NSSA experience makes for a nice segueway into the RYA's own regional racing event, the RYA Regional Junior Championships, which will be held in London & South East in September; windsurfing to be hosted at Datchet Water SC (18 Sept) and the dinghy regatta at Queen Mary SC (25 & 26 Sept). Alongside the entry level regatta fleet and the championship fleets we are also providing an RYA OnBoard fleet aimed specifically at junior sailors who have a very basic knowledge and experience in sailing. The OnBoard fleet will be super relaxed with lots of learning and a great introduction for any newbie wanting to dip their toes into a structured event away from their home club or centre.
The ILCA 4s are all going to Grafham.
Nominations are now open for the RYA Mustow Youth Awards which means the search has officially begun for this season’s most successful and inspiring young sailors, windsurfers and powerboaters. If you know a young sailor who makes a difference to boating find out more and nominate them
Could your club to the next RYA and Yachts and Yachting Club of the Year?
The awards celebrate the outstanding achievement and promote the hard work of sailing clubs. Nominations close on Monday 20th September. Find out more and apply
The Affiliated Club Conference on Sunday 21 November will be a hybrid virtual and in-person event this year to provide the best of both World. Please save the date, and read about it here
From the Chair
RYA Regional Team Chair Helen Hofmann writes:
August is here and with the school holidays and the remarkable achievements at the Tokyo Olympics, spirits are being lifted again. The dedication of the Olympic elite athletes is all the more remarkable against the backdrop of the pandemic. For some, gaining personal bests is the most welcome outcome from the games, to add also to any medal tally.
Soon thoughts will turn to autumn, with shops stocking the shelves already with back to school items. The opportunity to do water sports in the school holidays for young people and families, as well as for all ages, is something to tightly grasp, and we shall soon see the RYA Regional Junior Championships in the autumn once again.
Thanks must go to all clubs who have completed the RYA club census this year, with time still for clubs to complete the census.
July headlines
Princess Royal visits Thames Sailing Club
Boost for young Eastbourne Windsurfers
RYA award for Royal Institute’s first female president
Share your stories
We’re always looking out for stories like those above to pop on our web site and send to your local media, or snippets to share on our social media. Please send them to Mike Haigh