Susie Scoop February 2022
Hi everyone,
Welcome to this month’s blog. It’s been really good to see so much club activity taking place recently and I know that many clubs are in full swing mode planning for the season ahead.
Preparing for the season ahead
Clubs should now be thinking about how to welcome back those members who, understandably, decided not to venture out onto the water during the colder winter months. If you would like some help with ideas on how to do this then please do contact me. I am more than happy to visit your club for a 1-1 meeting.
It’s also not too late for clubs to sign up for Discover Sailing resources which you will find useful for running events such as Open days, and which includes downloadable posters and postcards. More info here.
I also highly recommend adding your event to the RYA Discover Sailing event map. I know that there are lots of potential first timers searching for events where they can try out watersports for the first time here. To add your event just fill in your event details here.
Development Opportunities
The RYA is committed to helping support clubs grow and develop volunteers, which are of course essential to the running of the club network. To this end, if your club is looking to grow your workforce then please do complete this Expression of Interest Form so I can organise courses which best suit the demand for RYA qualifications and club support sessions in our region.
Trainer club link programme
I have linked together all the clubs that I am aware of who would like to be involved in the Trainer club link programme and run training for their volunteers. If your club would like to be involved and like a trainer connection, please contact me.
Race Coach Level 2
Several Race Coach Level 2 courses are taking place shortly. The aim of the RCL2 is to provide candidates with techniques to safely coach racing to youth and adult sailors – a must for many clubs. Find out more here.
Online CPD Sessions
As mentioned last month, this years’ Instructor Training Days content is being delivered over a series of midweek evenings. The series has already started but there are still plenty more for clubs to sign up to. They all take place on Wednesdays at 7pm and will be recorded so you can catch up afterwards too.
23rd February How to prepare for a Senior Instructor course
2nd March How people learn, thepredict - test - sense learning model
9th March How to embed sustainability messages within your courses
16th March How can you look after your own and supporting other instructors and coaches mental health – with Leon Ward.
23rd March How to feel confident delivering sessions for students with a disability, different genders, or people from ethnically diverse communities
Tues 29th March RYA Training Scheme Update, with Amanda Van Santen RYA Dinghy & Windsurf Chief Instructor and Rachel Andrews RYA Power Chief Instructor (this date replaces the earlier cancelled session).
Sign up here.
Online OnBoard CDP for instructors
Taking place on 17th, 24th and 31st March at 7:30pm - 8:30pm, this three-session series is for instructors to learn how to deliver OnBoard sessions.
Instructors will learn all about the OnBoard programme, how youngsters develop life skills through sailing and windsurfing sessions whilst at the same time acquiring OB character attributes, as well as give tips for improving session delivery. Each session builds on knowledge gained from the previous session, and so I recommend that instructors attend all three evenings. The online sessions will also be followed up with a regional on the water session.
Session 1: 17th March
Developing Character attributes through sailing & windsurfing sessions.
Gain an understanding of the OnBoard programme and be introduced to the character attributes, discovering how they can be embedded into the junior sessions you deliver.
Session 2: 24th March
What does a "good" session look like?
Recap and discuss the elements that make up good session delivery. Learn hints and tips on how to plan and structure your sessions so they are successful each and every time.
Session 3: 31st March
Being on the water is fun! Creating Games with aims.
How can we create games and tasks that develop sailing & windsurfing skills as well as character attributes? This session will give the opportunity to share good ideas and sessions that work with fellow instructors.
Book here.
Building confidence for running races
There is a new online course to support club members wanting to learn about how to run club racing or who are keen to refresh their skills. The RYA Club Race Management Course is free to access and is ideal for those who are new to helping out with racing duties or who want to develop their confidence. Find out more here.
Club development workshops
Recordings from the January club development workshops are available here. Just one workshop remains in this series - which is not to be missed by Club Treasurers in particular - on Corporation Tax. Taking place online on Wednesday 9 March at 7.30pm, it will be led by expert tax consultant Richard Baldwin MBE, FCA,CTA and will contain essential knowledge for clubs in order to keep up to date with the latest tax information, register here.
RYA Safeguarding
Club Welfare Officers are invited to join a 'Meet the Team' virtual session on Monday 7 March with the RYA Safeguarding team, who will be available to answer any queries and give an update on plans for 2022. Book your FREE place here. If your club does not have a Welfare Officer, please email safeguarding@rya.org.uk for an info pack.
Dinghy and Watersports Show
And what an exciting month we have coming up. I hope lots of you will be visiting the Dinghy and Watersports Show at its new home, Farnborough International. This year’s show is also a fantastic opportunity to learn more about other activities including paddleboarding, wingsurfing & foiling and kayaking, which your club may want to expand into.
You can find me on the RYA Stand all weekend as well as in the Knowledge Zone at 2:15pm with This girl can….race! Leon Ward and Duncan West will also be at there. If we can’t answer something for you we will definitely by able to point you in the right direction! So do stop by to say hi.
Remember, children under 15 go FREE and there’s plenty of free interactive features for the whole family to have a go at. Including sailing and windsurfing simulators, learning to trapeze on the rig or fly on foils on the 360 VR experience. Or even try out the SailGP VR headset experience and race against one of the best eSailors in the world, Mike O’Donovan from Stokes Bay SC. Plus, children’s colouring competitions and the Treasure Map.
I am also able to offer teachers in our region an exclusive FREE ticket! PLUS 10% discount for parents and carers as well as discounts for clubs! For more info please email me.
Now open! - Youth National Championships
Entries are now open for the Youth National Championships in Plas Heli, Pwllheli in Wales on 9th – 15th April. This event is always popular with youngsters from the South region, with many sailors bringing trophies back to the South region from last year’s competition. More info here. Please contact Duncan West if you have any questions.
Environmental Recognition
Congratulations to Emsworth Sailing Club on receiving the Bronze Certification Award as part of the collaborative standard: Single-Use Plastic Free Accreditation from The Green Blue and Final Straw Foundation. Read more here. Last year the RYA also awarded the Club with a special recognition for its sustainability achievements in the Club of the Year Award.
The current series of webinars from The Green Blue are an excellent source of information and help for your club to become more environmentally friendly, and at the moment are focusing on sustainable anchoring and moorings. Even if you can’t make the date it is well worth signing up as you can view the recording afterwards. The webinars all take place at 7:30pm – 8:30pm and focus on particular areas:
17th February Solent
2nd March Fal & Helford
10th March Plymouth
24th March Solent
Sign up here.
Sailability Conference
The RYA Sailability Conference successfully took place earlier this month, with a live feed for those at home along with the in-person event. I know that Leon Ward had a busy day and enjoyed meeting club representatives. You can watch the introduction from Joff McGill, Sailability Manager, here. Please contact Leon Ward if you have any questions or are having trouble catching up with the Masterclasses.
Help and support
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. The South region contacts can also be found here.
Until next time,
Susie