Rob's Round-up August 21

I’ve been back out and about, visiting loads of clubs and it’s fantastic to see all the activity out on the water. Of course, in the south-west we’ve got one of the most environmentally special areas as well as exceptional boating opportunities, so I’m particularly happy to see so many clubs consulting with national bodies such as Natural England and working with care to blend their activities with the environment. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that we’ve seen so many national press reports of active marine life here – seals, whales, sharks, even Wally the Walrus - a huge positive for the health and sustainability of our boating waters.

There is going to be an OnBoard virtual meeting on Teams on 23 August at 7pm, to talk about the Regional Junior Championships on 25-26 September, particularly the OnBoard fun fleet and how to access it. All our OnBoard contacts are being emailed an invitation for this event, but everyone is welcome, so if you haven’t received an invitation, please contact me. 

The search has begun for this season’s most inspirational young boaters with nominations now open for the RYA Musto Youth Awards, celebrating the achievement of young people in sailing, windsurfing and powerboating. Whether it's through volunteering, adventure, coaching, instructing, Sailability or performance, the awards shine a spotlight on the resilience and achievement of young sailors and boaters across the UK. Please Make a nomination and recognise some of the fantastic young people in our sport in the south-west.

 

Nominations close on 01 November. 

Have you considered nominating your club for RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year 2022? We’ve had some notable successes here in the region in recent years, so don’t underestimate how remarkable your club is! There are specific categories you can enter: 

I’m aware of some truly outstanding achievements in clubs through the lockdowns, so encourage you to give it a go, and show the south-west off to the rest of the UK! 

Do you know a junior sailor or windsurfer who shows talent, enthusiasm and determination but is held back by a financial barrier to owning their own equipment? Applications are open for this year’s John Merricks Sailing Trust Scheme hopefuls. If a junior at your club would benefit from having their own boat or board to develop their racing skills, find out more and I’m happy to chat through the process if you want to contact me. 

 

For the windsurfers, we have an OnBoard windsurfing fleet as well as training on the Saturday and racing on the Sunday, which is unique to our event here in the South/South-West region.

As soon as the online entries page is open, we will notify everyone on all channels including social media.