RYA North East blog - January 2023

As we head into 2023 we’re proud to launch our new programme of monthly forums for clubs, training centres and OnBoard teams, to provide you with a regular point of contact with myself and the Regional Team.

Each evening will provide three 30-minute time slots and an opportunity for you to catch up with relevant topics, ask questions, hear guest speakers and chat to other attendees.

The first sessions take place on Thursday 26 January 2023 and we’re hoping they will support you not only as we approach the new season but also throughout the year. Find out more and sign up for our RYA North East Club Forums.

Kickstart the season

Now is the ideal time before it starts to get busy again to be checking your equipment and thinking ahead about how to kickstart the season.

Regionally we’re doing lots of planning around instructor and volunteer development courses. Those already bookable include an RYA Dinghy Instructor Course at North Yorkshire Water Park in March 2023, plus at the same venue in February, a Dinghy Instructor Preparation Day for anyone who'd like to find out more first, and a Dinghy Instructor Pre-Entry Assessment Day.

For instructors and powerboat drivers meanwhile, we have an opportunity for you to update on current good practice and improve your personal boat handling at Scarborough on Saturday 28 January. Further details and booking for all upcoming courses can be found by visiting our RYA North East Instructor & CPD hub.

Grants available

Remember we have grants available in the region to potentially help your volunteers to develop their instructing and coaching skills.

Our joint initiative between the RYA NE Regional Volunteer Team and Martin Boatman Legacy Fund aims to support clubs, classes and individuals who want to access training or courses to increase participation or membership at clubs and centres.

Grants of up to £250 are available for training courses and - via the Martin Boatman Legacy Fund managed by RYA Coaching Development - for young people aged under 30 who want to develop race coaching skills: Find out more and apply.

Grow your team

If you are keen to grow your team of instructors and race coaches in 2023, I’d also urge you to check out our top tips and complete a survey to help us assess demand for RYA instructor and race coach training. The closing date is Tuesday 31 January and your contribution to the survey will help us plan courses to meet your needs.

Regional Training Day

Look out for bookings opening very soon now for our RYA North East Regional Training Day at Catterick Racecourse on 1 April 2023, which will provide all the latest updates and ideas to help your team get set for the new season.

This is for anyone involved in delivering on-water activities including instructors, race coaches and Sailability/disabled sailing volunteers. Keep up to date with all the latest news in our RYA NE Instructors & Coaches group on Facebook, or by following @RYANorthEast on Facebook and/or Twitter.

And finally…

I’m looking forward to the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show next month and hope to see many of you there. In the meantime, it would be fantastic if we could all get behind our Club of the Year finalist Otley SC. The public vote closes atmidday on Monday 23rd January and the overall winner will be announced at the Show on Saturday, 25 February 2023… please do find out more about what makes this club special and show your support!

Until next time,

Sam.