RYA North East blog - June 2023

Over the last month I’ve completed the RYA Radar Course and also recently enjoyed a day of training on a jet ski in preparation for taking a three-day RYA Personal Watercraft Instructor course.

It’s been great to learn new things and the key message in my final blog is that I would encourage people to likewise keep challenging themselves to grow their own knowledge and interests.

The region needs its trainers and volunteers to continue developing their skillsets for the future - and to inspire those who will hopefully follow in their footsteps - to benefit not only our clubs and centres but the sport as a whole.

Why not give yourself a challenge to learn something new each year? My advice is don’t accept the status quo: step outside your comfort zone and be open to change and new ideas!

Instructor courses

Courses currently open for booking on the RYA North East Instructor & CPD hub include:

• Instructor Skills Development (DI/SI), 12 August, Filey SC.
• Dinghy Instructor Course, 14-18 August, North Yorkshire Water Park
• Power Boat Instructor Course 25-27 August, with skills assessment day 22 July, Tees & Hartlepool YC,
• Instructor Skills Development (DI/SI), 2 September, South Shields SC
• Wingsurfing and Wingfoiling Days at Scaling Dam SC and Yorkshire Dales SC on multiple dates over the summer: these are for instructors or aspiring instructors to try Wingsurfing and/or Wingfoiling, take a look!

Progression

Over the decade I’ve been in post, I’ve seen many young sailors who have seized opportunities to take courses or try different aspects of the sport, and now when I visit clubs and centres, I discover they have taken their own sailing to the next level, or I find them in fundamentally important club/centre roles as staff or on committees, and as dedicated volunteers.

It’s been such a pleasure to see individuals come through the system and to have been able to support their journeys, and I hope that story of progression will continue with people of all ages around the region choosing to develop their involvement in the sport.

After nearly 10 years in post as Regional Development Officer for RYA North East, I’ll be pursuing a career in business but I am also looking forward to getting on the water more often! I’ll be at my home club Filey SC and still involved in the grassroots of the sport as an RYA Training Centre inspector, and as a trainer delivering Race Coach, Dinghy and Powerboat instructor courses.

I’ve enjoyed being a part of our incredible community in Yorkshire and the North East and have made some lifelong friends, with many shared happy moments on the water or shoreside. Thank you to all the people who’ve put the effort in over the years to move the sport forwards, or helped me to roll out some of the crazy ideas I’ve put forward!

RYA North East Sailing Development Officer Paul Adams will continue to be a key contact for you, and your new RDO will be RYA North West Regional Development Officer Adam McGovern who will also be looking after the North East from 29 June onwards.

And finally…

Together in the region we’ve achieved many things, made possible by our passionate volunteers and boating enthusiasts. Remember to look out for the RYA Volunteer Awards when these come around again and in the meantime, nominations are open for the RYA Club of the Year Awards supported by Gallagher. We have lots to celebrate so let’s shout about it!

Wishing you all the best for the future,

Sam.