October 2021
Senior instructor courses
We know that clubs here in the south-west have suffered in two ways from covid: the first is that there are fewer instructors out there, and the second is that there is now very high demand for training from lots of new members. Our census data show an estimated 6200 new members of south-west clubs in 2021, so we understand that you’re under huge pressure to deliver training.
That’s why we’re running two regional SI courses between now and Christmas – one at Stithians and Roadford lakes, and another at Frampon on Severn SC, both over two weekends in November/December. There are still spaces on both courses.
While you’re on the webpage, check out all the other CPD opportunities available!
Affiliated Clubs Conferences
Booking is now open for our RYA Affiliated Clubs Conferences (ACC) and the places are already filling up! The online conference is on 08 November, hosted by Shirley Robertson, exploring the theme of Planning for a Successful Future. The SW ACC is on 20 November at South Devon College. Find out more and book.
Save the date – Instructor Training Day 20 March 2022
20 March 2022 has been confirmed as the date of the next Instructor Training Day at Rockley Watersports, Poole. Please put it in your diary now, and watch out for more details here, very soon.
OnBoard at the Regional Junior Championships
Duncan West gives a round-up of the main fleet activities during the Regional Junior Championship (RJC) events below.
The Windsurfing Regional Junior Championships (RJC) on 18/19 September at WPNSA included an OnBoard fleet. Although the numbers were small, everyone had a great time, so if your OnBoard windsurfing club wants to attend next year, get in touch and we’ll visit and get you well prepared.
In the Dinghy RJC a week later, the OnBoard fleet had a fantastic two days of sailing, with 47 children spending hours on the water. It was a perfect chance for the youngsters to experience the valuable life skills and develop the character attributes that help to build confidence and shape their personal development.
The dates for next year’s RJC events are already being planned, and it’s going to be a BIG change! Still hosted at the WPNSA, the dinghy event will be 18/19 June and the windsurfing dates will be confirmed soon. If you haven’t sent sailors to the RJC before, and want to attend next year’s event, please get in touch and we’ll make sure you have all the info you need. If you want us to come to you and work with your instructors, we can do this, and it will help prepare your sailors in advance. We really want as many clubs as possible to involve children in the OnBoard fleet, so let us know if you’d like some help.
PY returns due soon
As you know, all clubs that race using the Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme must return their PY data to the RYA to ensure that the RYA national list is as accurate as it can be. If your club does have PY numbers, please return them as soon as you can to https://www.pyonline.org.uk/. The deadline is 20 December.
Doing this will help to keep club racing as fair as possible, with any changes in boats or tweaks to classes registered and makes handicap fleet racing more fun for everybody.
Junior racing news from Regional Performance Manager, Duncan West
The Regional Junior Championships were great events! Nearly 50 young windsurfers from the south and south-west regions took to the water on 18 - 19 September and the dinghy event a week later included great sailing in all fleets and some brilliant Sunday racing.
The south-west windsurfing club with the most sailors was OTC/Weymouth Wave Riders, and the RYA Values and Behaviours Award was presented to a young OnBoarder, George Ebdon from the OTC, in recognition of his resilience during the Saturday’s OnBoard Fleet.
Parkstone YC won the RYA Zone Championships trophy for most sailors at the dinghy event and also won the Development Shield for the greatest increase in numbers of sailors (21 last time to 40 this time). In second place for both trophy and shield was Starcross YC, whose numbers went from 4 participants last time to 17 this time.
Read about the windsurfing event
Invitations to the Regional Training Groups are being sent out now. We’ll have more information for you in the next issue.
RDO Rob Howlett
07876 330374
rob.howlett@rya.org.uk