Steve's blog May 2024
Workforce Development
Our Workforce Development programme is progressing; the plan is for a local Workforce Development Coordinator (WDC) for each area in our region to operate with guidance from Workforce Development Officer (WDO) Paul Outram. Paul's on the right in the photo above.
The WDCs will help guide clubs, centres and area sailing associations to establish their own local training plan that is tailored to local needs, with a proactive approach to training across all small boat scheme disciplines, and using local funding opportunities. Read more about it
The WDC contacts, who can be found at the link above, have been sent to all the clubs who are likely to need small boat scheme training.
WDCs may reach out to clubs and centres just to touch base, or clubs and centres can ask their WDC for support. You may recognise some of the WDCs as they are all people that live in the region and know the clubs and so they won’t be too far from you which should be really useful.
Senior Instructor (SI) courses at Queen Mary in April provided new SIs for seven clubs and three commercial centres in our region
Photos, above and header - SI courses at Queen Mary SC
Discover Sailing
Discover Sailing is up and running with events at around 20 clubs and centres in our region. If you would like to try sailing for the first time, or if you’ve sailed before and would like to return to the sport, then try a Discover Sailing event at a club near you.
There are ‘have a go’ taster sessions for all. No previous experience is necessary, so why not find out how you and your family and friends can get involved with sailing, windsurfing and watersports locally.
Regional Junior Championships
Entries are open for the for the London & South East Regional Junior Championships (dinghy) which will be hosted by Datchet Water Sailing Club over the weekend 22-23 June 2024. The windsurfers event will be at Queen Mary SC on September 7-8. These regional regattas encourage under 16s of all skill levels to participate in an action-packed and fun weekend on the water.
I’m particularly keen to encourage more entries in the OnBoard fleet, where dinghies will available for entrants to use or you can bring your own. Instructors will be on hand to help the kids and there’ll be lots of OnBoard activities, fun and games.
Find out more and enter now - windsurfing booking will open nearer the event.
KSSA Opening Splash Regatta at Herne Bay Sailing Club
Still on youth sailing, I’ve done a couple of short videos interviewing competitors and a volunteer helper at a very windy Kent Schools Sailing Association Opening Splash Regatta at Herne Bay Sailing Club, please take a look at them at these links:
….and while mentioning volunteers, there’s more on volunteering - the heart of RYA and club activity - here
Thank you Paul Wren
I’d like to say a big thank you on behalf of the region to Paul Wren, our High Performance Manager, who leaves the RYA after 17 years of dedicated service, creating fantastic opportunities for young sailors to develop in the Region, leaving a legacy of numerous young sailors who have been supported to find a passion in racing.
Photo - Paul Wren
Club census
Please look out for the RYA annual club census which will coming shortly. The information clubs provide helps us to monitor progress and shape our bids for further resourcing - which allows us to both continue to support clubs and promote boating activities to a wider audience.
Share your stories
We’re always looking 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 on our social media, 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