May 2022
Welcome Chris Munro!
With Gerwyn Owen moving on to pastures new, RYA Cymru Wales have appointed Chris Munro as our new Chief Executive – welcome Chris:
The RYA Youth Nationals
The RYA Youth National Championships returned to Pwllheli over the Easter break as the 2022 champions were crowned across seven youth fleets.
Last hosting the premier youth sailing regatta in 2016, Plas Heli welcomed 280 youngsters from all over the country for five days of racing from 9-15 April. The line-up included 26 Welsh sailors, which included Honor Procter, winning the ILCA 6 race and being selected for the Youth World Championship Team!
With the 2021 Youth Nationals spread across two weekends and two venues, the 2022 edition saw all the youth fleets together in one place for the first time as the kitefoilers joined the iQFOiL, 420, Nacra 15, 29er and ILCA6 in competition.
Despite contending with unstable wind and weather conditions throughout the week, everyone but the kite and board fleets came very close to completing their full schedules in tough race conditions that varied from sunny to foggy.
Ffin a Ffoil
This year to celebrate the launch of the RYA Wing scheme in Wales, we are running two exciting events!
- 14th & 15th May – Llanfairfechan, Conwy - Book now!
- 1st & 2nd October – Dale, Pembrokeshire - Coming soon!
If you love anything Winging, Windfoiling and Windsurfing, or are keen to find out more join us for Ffin a Ffoil during 2022.
Try sessions and skills development sessions with our qualified Instructors.
- Try Winging (Wingsurfing)
- Try Winging (Wingfoiling)
(Please note -You must have tried Wingsurfing before trying Wingfoiling)
- Try WinSUps
- Skills Development sessions for Windsurfers
- Masterclasses with experienced practitioners for those wanting some tips and tricks!
On the Day
- FREE Try Stand Up Paddleboard sessions- open to both children with a parent/guardian present and adults (book on the day)
- Demo kit to try for the more experienced.
- FREE Yoga (warm up/ stretch down sessions) for all registered in advance including BBQ ticket holders
To find out more, head to www.ffinaffoil.co.uk
Plas Menai Re-opens
After some refurbishment work, Plas Menai, National Outdoor Centre for Wales has now reopened! You can book yourselves on to their many courses, or just have a nosey about what’s going on if you click here: https://www.plasmenai.wales
Discover Sailing
Lots of clubs across Wales are running Discover Sailing sessions over the coming months, and if any club would like help to promote their own event, please get in touch.
Further details of how to sign your club up to Discover Sailing can be found here.
New Horizon
This amazing project in partnership with The Outdoor Partnership and Ocean Youth Trust Scotland saw a group of young women set off on a voyage which took them to all 4 home nations. Setting off from Scotland, sailing over to Northern Ireland, then over to Wales, then over to Cumbria, before heading back to Scotland.
The girls also completed their VHF qualifications course, PB2, and Essential Navigation, giving them a solid foundation to follow a career in sailing and outdoor activities.
We had a project debrief recently and the inspirations stories were a joy to hear – the future is bright!
Women Only Sailing at Cardigan Bay Watersports
Following on from the New Horizons theme, Cardigan Bay Watersports are running a series of women only sailing sessions: https://www.cardiganbaywatersports.org.uk/courses/category/women-only-sailing?fbclid=IwAR312Xal92zF3SYkD1bXYS89GURP7d6UIqkqoC8jBFpGHrYb0GxhWRab_AQ
Who else out there is doing something similar? Please let us know!
Llanfairfechan Sailing Club have a Rib stolen
It came to our attention recently that Llanfairfechan Sailing Club had a new Rib stolen. This is terrible news for the club and if anyone hears anything, or comes across any ribs being sold, please let us know.
Llanfairfechan Sailing Club | Facebook
Protecting-your-outboard (rya.org.uk)
That’s it from us this month – see you in May!
The RYA Cymru Wales Development Team.