Keeping OnBoard on track through the Coronavirus

While the most important thing right now is everyone keeping themselves safe, you might be looking for guidance and/or ways to keep your OnBoarders interested in sailing away from the club. So here is some advice and ideas on getting through the next few months.

Keep moving

Staying active during this time is as important as ever, and as we can’t get on the water we need to get creative. You may have seen online fitness coach, Joe Wicks, has started daily 30-minute 'PE with Joe' sessions (9am) live on YouTube, and there are a huge amount of other 'at home' workouts you can view for free across most social media channels.

Keep an eye out for members of the British Sailing Team, and other athletes, posting fitness content on their pages. Make sure if you try anything out yourself or with members of your household, that it’s suitable for everyone's age and ability. There are a number of other ways to stay active and entertained using social media and apps – the popular Tik Tok being just one of them (I know, we had to Google it too!).

Brain power

So what about keeping our brains active, and keeping young sailors engaged.  

• Our Official Suppliers RS Sailing have come up with a few at home activities for young sailors which can be viewed here.
•  Our friends at the 1851 Trust also have a huge amount or resources on their STEM crew website, which they are currently adding too and adapting for home schooling, and you can register for free!
• You can also sign up for free to download the Ocean Race Learning resources, an unbelievable amount of content here, aimed at teachers but could be adapted for some ocean themed home schooling. There are currently four current topics:

• Our ocean connection & ocean plastic pollution
• How to reduce ocean plastic pollution
• My positive plastic footprint
• Sailing & science 

Get involved in British Youth Sailing's Project #SailFromHome

Project #SailFromHome, a collaboration between the British Youth Sailing’s Junior and Youth sections and the British Sailing Team, aims to engage with, inspire and entertain young sailors while they can’t get out on the water.

The project will feature a range of online sailing-specific content delivered via British Sailing Team Youtube channel including home workouts, expert sessions on a range of sailing-specific topics as well as bespoke sessions for members of the British Youth Sailing squads.

Project #SailFromHome kicked off at 11am on Monday March 30 with the first episode of the Monday Motivation Show vodcast aimed at kickstarting the week with inspiration from the biggest names in sailing. For the full timetable check out britishsailingteam.com  

Get competitive and host a Virtual Regatta

Finally why not take up e-sailing through the Virtual Regatta app. You may find that your club has set up an account where members can take part in scheduled races, if not you can sign up for free and start racing from the comfort of your own home. You will automatically be entered into the in-shore National Championships. 

The RYA Coronavirus COVID-19 information hub

This is your first port of call for all the latest news and guidance across all things sailing. The FAQs for RYA Affiliated Clubs, Classes and Recognised Training Centres will be on particular interest to you and OnBoard. 

Stay in touch

We might be working from home but we're still here to answer any questions or queries you might have about how the impact of the Coronavirus could impact on OnBoard activity this summer. If there are any major announcements and updates we will of course be in touch with you too.

You can contact our OnBoard Development Officer, Hannah Cockle at hannah.cockle@rya.org.uk  - just to let you know the RYA’s buildings will also be closed over the Easter break (6-17 April).