Steve's LSE blog April 2023
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Entries open for 2023 RYA Regional Junior Championships
Join us in June for a festival of youth sailing. The events are catered to young sailors of all abilities from those just starting out to seasoned racers, in three fleets:
- Championship Fleet for more experienced racers
- Coached Regatta Fleet for those wanting to get their first taste of racing
- Rookie Fleet supported by the RYA’s Onboard programme for children who are new to sailing.
I encourage your clubs to bring as many sailors as possible – there'll be prizes handed out for the most sailors from one club. In particular we’re looking to increase numbers in the Rookie Fleet, so particularly OnBoard club/centres, why not bring your kids out for their first away event.
Our dinghy event is at Queen Mary Sailing Club on 17-18 June and windsurfers at Datchet Sailing Club on 10 June. Find out more and enter
Nominations open for 2023 RYA Volunteer Awards
Why not celebrate the outstanding contributions of your club/centre’s volunteers by nominating someone for the awards .....and yes, the photo from last year's awards is correct, HRH The Princess Royal does the presentations. Nominations close 2 May.
Senior Instructor courses
I continue to hear from clubs and centres of a shortage of instructors and senior instructors, but we had to cancel the first regional instructor course this year because of lack of applicants. Please plan ahead and If your club/centre needs Senior Dinghy Instructors then please register for one of the following courses:
- Bewl Water Outdoor Centre 22/23 & 29/30 April
- Queen Mary Sailing Club 7/8 & 14/15 October
Instructor training programme
We have a programme running in London, funded by Thames Active and the Sport England and RYA Together Fund, which aims to take 18 students aged 16-20 to Dinghy Instructor qualifications before summer. The students are from the AHOY Centre, Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre, Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre, Greg City Academy and Stoke Newington. This is all aimed at building a local workforce to address the shortage of instructors. Forward going we hope to roll out this model in other areas of our region. If you are interested for your area please contact me
Regional Training Day
Our regional training day at Queen Mary on 11 March was a great success. The theme was “Creating a great participant experience” and there were workshops across the RYA small crafts scheme to help our region’s instructors get ready for the season ahead. There were plenty smiling faces (header photo) and Shaun the Sheep took a medal......
Funding
Are you looking for funding for your club projects? Then visit Funding Opportunities If you've successfully applied for funding then please send us your story so we can share your experience and success with other clubs
News from our region
Bough Beech SC hosts RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championships
Felpham SC recalls Concorde pilot on International Women’s Day
Active Thames Fund helps Herne Bay SC bring sight and hearing impaired into sailing
And finally........here's Sutton Mariners SC Commodore Gary Eversfield (left) with RYA Cruising Manager Stuart Carruthers following Stuart’s recent talk at the club.
Share your stories
We’re always looking out for stories to pop on our web site and send to your local media, and snippets (two or three sentences) to promote your events or show what you’ve been doing, with photos (landscape format) and links. Or why not send us a short video (15-100 seconds, landscape format) done in one take on your ‘phone to share on our social media. All should have some RYA/regional connection. Other clubs can enjoy your achievements and benefit from your experience. Send us your story