November 2021

Club of the Year 2022
The South West region is doubly delighted as Exe Sailing Club (ESC) and Flushing Sailing Club (FSC) have been announced as two of the 10 finalists in the 2022 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year Award supported by Gallagher. Voting is now open to the public, so this is your chance to cast your vote and celebrate our clubs’ activity in the community.

Another Instructor Training Day
I’m really pleased to announce that the South West will be the only region in the country running two Instructor Training Days (ITD) next spring, so that no-one has to travel more than two hours to attend.

Alongside the event at Rockley Watersports on 20 March 2022, we are currently organising another one in Cornwall. Both events will cater for all small boat scheme instructors, sailing, windsurf and powerboat instructors, Assistant Instructors, Senior Instructors and Race Coaches. 

For each, there will be a short shore-based update, but the bulk of the day will be spent on the water ensuring that everyone is up-to-speed for the new season.

We’ll let you know the date and venue of the Cornwall ITD shortly, and booking pages for both events will be open on the website towards the end of this year.

New OnBoard clubs in the region
Many congratulations to Starcross Yacht Club and Plym Sailing Club, both of which have recently been accredited as RYA OnBoard clubs. They will shortly be hosting a day of OnBoard instructor training for their volunteers, helping to focus their cadet sessions on the character attributes that sailing has been proven to develop in youngsters. Another great boost to youth training in the region.

Club Development
I’ve recently emailed clubs which showed either big increases or big drops in membership in their census data, offering support.

We’ll be using the Club Development Planning Tool that came out of last year’s lockdown workshops to help these clubs going forward, dealing with the change in demand.

If you haven’t heard from me, but would like a one-to-one meeting, just get in touch and we’ll organise one.  

Lots of irons in the fire

We’re working behind the scenes on lots of stuff which you’ll hear about in the next few months.

Please make sure you’re signed up to Clubroom via your MyRYA profile on the RYA website, keep in touch on our Facebook page and encourage other committee members to do so too – so you can find out what we’re planning.

Junior racing news from Regional Performance Manager, Duncan West

All the invitations for the Regional Training Groups have been sent out, and training is in full swing. We’re looking forward to a great winter!

RDO Rob Howlett 
07876 330374
rob.howlett@rya.org.uk