November 2021

So winter-time provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the season and to start to plan for the next – it will be here before we know it.
 

Traditionally, the RYA have conference season over the winter months and we are looking, as the Participation & Development team, to try to help you on your journey.

Here’s a bit of a round-up of things on the horizon or resources that can help……..

Firstly, we’d like to start by congratulating Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club on becoming the Scottish Finalists for the 2022 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year supported by Gallagher Competition. The club are our Scottish representatives in this competition and are one of ten finalists that were selected to go through to the voting stage. Further details about the competition, including details on how to vote for Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club can be found here.

The winners will be announced at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show in February 2022.

Secondly, the RYA Scotland Affiliated Club Conference will take place on Sunday 6th March 2022 at the Stirling Court Hotel. We hope to have a number of exciting workshops and informal opportunities to meet with others on the day, so that we can share learning and plan for the season ahead. Further details will be coming out shortly so please put a ‘holder’ in your diary and we will be back in touch again soon!

 

Thirdly, on the back of the recent COP26 event in Glasgow and the focus on sustainability at international, national and local level, we would like to remind you that The Green Blue have a variety of resources for boaters, clubs, centres and organisations to help with ‘Sustainable boating for cleaner healthier waters’. Please check out their website for further resources and information.

On a practical side, our colleagues Nikki (Stewart) and Robyn (Philips) are organising several opportunities over the winter for Instructors and Coaches – both online and in person, as well as some follow up practical days.

The annual RYA Scotland Instructor Conference is taking place on 19th February 2022 at the Stirling Court Hotel and this will be followed up by some regional practical CPD days in March (Dinghy and Windsurfing combined). The team are working on what would be most appropriate for the other disciplines and would welcome any input on this by email.

They will also be running a Winter Webinar Series for Instructors – these will be a chance to build knowledge in preparation for 2022 and network with other instructors across the country online.

The following topics are planned:

  1. Knowing You - "Reflective Practise" – 24th November
  2. Knowing Your Sport - "Coaching The Basics - What Good Looks Like" - January 2022 (focused on Dinghy and Windsurf Instructors and RCL2’s)
  3. Knowing Coaching - "Planning Appropriate Activity" - February 2022

 

As with the Affiliated Club Conference, the booking and further details will go live for the Instructor Conference and Winter Webinars shortly but please ‘put a holder’ for these dates in your diaries and look out for further information! It would also be greatly appreciated if you could share this information with your instructing teams.

 

We would also like to welcome Kristy Bradley to the team. Following a bit of restructuring and recruitment within the admin team of RYA Scotland, Kristy joins us a full-time administrator with her main role being to support the Participation & Development Team, as well as Marketing and Communication. You’ll be hearing from Kristy soon as she helps us to organise and support the upcoming opportunities available to clubs, centres and organisations within the boating community.

 

Dates for information – 2021 & 2022

RYA Scotland Winter Webinar Series for Instructors = starting 24th November 2021

RYA Training Conference = 5th & 6th February 2022

RYA Sailability Conference = 12th February 2022

RYA Scotland Instructor Gathering = 19th February 2022 – Stirling Court Hotel

Affiliated Club Conference – Part 2 in Scotland = Sunday 6th March 2022 – Stirling Court Hotel

 

Finally, please remember that there are still some Scottish Government guidance and restrictions for ‘Beyond Level 0’ means to us in a sporting context. For your information the RYA Scotland guidance for boating can be found on our website.

 

If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with the team.

Take care and stay safe!

 

The Development Team, aka Robin, Georgia, Ryan & Liza

 

The Development Team, aka Robin, Georgia, Ryan & Liza