August 2021
Hi everyone,
Well, what a busy month it has been. Clubs throughout the region have been very busy with activity and it has been great to hear about successfully Open and Discover Sailing days taking place, bringing new people into sailing.
Of course, the last few weeks have been full of sport from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games. Congratulations to all the athletes including Tom Squires, Emma Wilson and Eilidh McIntyre from the South region.
Olympic sailing is certainly a family affair. Eilidh from Hayling Island Sailing Club won gold with Hannah Hills in the 470. Eilidh wasn’t born when her dad Mike snatched gold in the Star class at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and has grown up with the medal hanging up on wall in her house. Emma won bronze in the women’s windsurfing and growing up was taught by her mother, Penny Way, at Mudeford and Calshot Windsurfing Club. Penny also competed in two Olympics, finishing sixth and seventh at the 1992 and 1996 Games in Barcelona and Atlanta.
RYA Membership Census
Thank you to all the clubs who have completed and submitted their RYA Club Membership census returns. I know that it is a busy time of the year for everyone. Even though the deadline has passed, please do submit your club’s data as it is still live and we will include it. Each and every clubs response really is so important to us. If you can’t find your email then please contact me and I will re-send it to you.
Regional Junior Championships - Bookings now open
The combined RYA 2021 South and SW Regional Junior Championships take place in just a few weeks. Windsurfers on 18-19 September and dinghies a week later on 25-26 September. Both will take place at WPNSA. Book here.
Who can enter and what are the different fleets?
Junior (U16) sailors and windsurfers aged between six and 15 across three fleets:
- OnBoard Fleet: For newcomers to sailing just starting out at their clubs after taking Stage 1&2 courses. Led by RYA instructors with lots of ‘games with aims’ – participants can bring their own boat or use a boat provided by the host venue, making it super-easy to take part!
- Coached Regatta Fleet: For those who can sail around a triangle course and want to develop their racing skills with support from BYS coaches.
- Championship Fleet: For experienced racers and also a must-do indicator event for those wishing to be considered for selection to the BYS Regional Training Groups 2021-22.
This year, we are also encouraging clubs to send teams to the event. The largest number of sailors from a singular club, as well as clubs which have seen the biggest increase in sailors (all of the fleets combined) will receive a prize.
RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year.
Could your club be the next RYA and Yachts and Yachting Magazine Club of the Year? Nominations close soon on 20th September. As well as a finalist from each of the RYA Regions and two ‘wild card’ entries, the awards also recognise five clubs which have made significant achievements covering: Heart of the community; Modern, innovative, and forward thinking; Sustainability; Inclusive and open to all and boosting membership. Nominate here.
Could you be the next South Region Committee Secretary?
The South Region Committee is our volunteer group which works tirelessly to represent topics and issues affecting the South region. The Committee is currently looking for a new Secretary who will act as the Committee’s principal administrator. The role will advise committee members of meetings as required and be responsible for booking the venue, preparing and circulating the agendas and the production of minutes. In due course it is likely that the role will be combined with the Regional Hon Treasurer - a task that now only requires minimal time and effort to complete.
The Secretary should have a broad experience of boating within the South region and be able to think strategically but able to take a regional view. In addition, the Secretary will need to be organised, diplomatic, IT literate and have good communication skills. Please contact Chair Mike Samuelson to discuss the role further.
John Merricks Sailing Trust Scheme now open
If your club is unsure how to nominate a deserving young person for the John Merricks Sailing Trust and RYA OnBoard scheme, then here is a useful step by step guide to the process here. This year we are encouraging clubs and centres to nominate youngsters, rather than individuals including parents, who display enthusiasm and commitment to our sport and who don’t own their own boat or have the financial backing to do so.
RYA Musto Youth Awards now open
Is there a young person in your club making an impact? This could be a performance, volunteering, instructing or coaching achievement, or from overcoming adversity. Each of the ten winners will receive £150 to spend at Musto and will also be invited to take part in a once in a lifetime sailing experience with the British Sailing Team. Nominations close on 1st November, submit yours here.
RYA Volunteer Awards open
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised? Find out how to nominate here.
Royal Southern Yacht Club Trust - applications for grants
The Royal Southern Yacht Club’s charitable trust is inviting applications for grants to assist organisations and individuals with their sailing ambitions. The grants will be awarded in December 2021 and will be for use during the next 12 months. The deadline is Monday 15th November and more information about the grants can be found here.
Instructor & Race Coach Courses and CDP
A Dinghy Senior Instructor Course will take place at UKSA on 18th-19th and also on 25th- 26th September. Book here.
More info here for all courses.
Save the dates
- Southampton International Boat Show – 10th – 19th September - Don’t forget that each RYA Member can claim a FREE complimentary ticket to the show.
- RYA South Region AGM – Saturday 30th October at 11:00 - location tbc
- Online national RYA Affiliated Clubs Conference – Monday 8th November
- RYA South 2021 Affiliated Clubs Conference - Saturday 13th November
- The combined RYA Raymarine Yachmaster Scheme Instructor Conference and RYA Training Conference - 5th- 6th February 2022. More information here.
- The RYA Dinghy Show – 26th- 27th February 2022. More information here.
E10 to become standard petrol grade
A reminder that Government has announced that this summer E10 will become standard petrol grade. Although the Government has said that E10 petrol is compatible with 95% of petrol-powered road vehicles, it has acknowledged that some older boats with petrol engines may not be compatible with the new fuel. The Government has advised that boat owners and operators should check their vessel’s manual or ask the manufacturer or dealer before filling up with E10. The change in fuel only applies to petrol engines; diesel fuel will not be affected. More info here.
Requesting a visit from HRH The Princess Royal
Bids are now being taken from clubs wishing to receive a visit from HRH The Princess Royal for the period of 1st February – 31st August 2022. Club need to submit an Engagement bid form which needs to be emailed to Jude Rose before Monday 13th September. The bids will be discussed at HRH’s November Programme meetings and we would normally expect to hear the outcome around the end of January 2022.
Help and support
Please finally, please remember that the RYA South team are here to help and support you. As ever, please don’t hesitate to contact me if your club has any concerns, questions or would like advice. You can email me here and the other regional contacts can also be found here.
The Regional Volunteer South Committee are also an excellent source of advice for clubs and centres in our region. The South Regional Chairperson is Mike Samuelson, and his new email address is chair.so@rya.org.uk
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Until next time,
Susie