Sailability News Round Up Autumn 2020
Activity levels during lockdown
Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey has found that the nation did it’s best to stay active during lockdown despite the challenges to daily lives.
Before the start of the national lockdown, activity levels were actually growing and were on course to reach record highs. However, during the first two months of lockdown there were 3m fewer active adults, compared with the same period a year ago.
The report’s figures for active levels of activity for adultswith disabilities and long-term health condition adults is low – 47% comparedto 67% for those with no disabilities or long-term conditions. The report also highlightsthat it remains the case that there are major challenges facing groups who havelong found it hardest to be active – including disabled people and people withhealth conditions.
Have you seen our new Guide to Autism and Boating?
Our new ‘Guide to Autism and Boating’ is full of practical strategies to assist those working directly with sailors on the autistic spectrum. It has been developed to help others to understand the impact and the challenges autistic sailors face when they arrive at a sailing venue including heightened anxiety, different sensory experiences and difficulties with flexibility of thought and communication. It also provides clear examples of what can be done to ensure they are able to enjoy getting afloat.
Along with the guide there is also a video that includes a series of interviews with autistic sailors and parents providing insights into the benefits of sailing for those on the autistic spectrum.
If you would like more information on autism and boating please contact Joff McGill
Could your club benefit from Sport England funding?
Sport England have launched a new £16.5 million fund to give additional help to the sport and physical activity sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Return to Play Fund will support groups, clubs and organisations who’ve been impacted by restrictions brought in to tackle the disease. The fund is made up of three parts:
£10m –Return to Play: Small Grants – This will provide grants of between £300 and£10,000 to help sport and activity groups, clubs and organisations respond tothe immediate challenges of returning to play in a Covid-19-safe environment.PLEASE NOTE THIS GRANT IS CURRENTLY PAUSED.
£5m –Return to Play: Community Asset Fund - This willprovide grants ranging in value from £10,001 to £50,000. It’ll help localsports clubs and organisations to adapt and open important places and spacesthat can help them welcome back their local community safely.
£1.5m –Return to Play: Active Together - This crowdfunding initiative will help sports clubsand organisations set up their own campaigns to help sustain them through thecrisis.
Royal Southern Yacht Club Trust - applications for grants
The Royal Southern Yacht Club’s charitable trust is inviting applications for grants to assist applications in their sailing ambitions. The grants will be awarded in January 2021 and will be for use during the next 12 months.
The Trust is a charity designed to support recreation in general and sailing in particular, and grants are available within four categories:
- Young people wishing to take part in training or youth development activities including qualifying regattas
- Disadvantaged people, for example those who are disabled or not earning
- Taking part in Tall Ships or other offshore voyages
- Participation in Class or RYA-recognised championships.
Applications for this round of grants must be received by Wednesday 6 January 2021. To apply, and to find out more information about the grants, please visit here.
South Cerney Sailing Club announces sponsorship of Blind Sailing
South Cerney Sailing Club is the new home to GBR British Blind Sailing and is now able to offer increased opportunities for visually impaired sailors to get involved with the club and take part in activities.
This exclusive sponsorship with Blind Sailing, and group commitment to the charity, will now offer even more access to boats and training facilities, as well as enabling the charity and its members access to additional sailing and racing which is more centrally located in the UK.
Blind Sailing Commodore Lucy Hodges commented: “This is a massive sponsorship to the charity. It may not be the physical passing of money but this is something a whole lot more. As well as providing more opportunities for those already involved in the sport, it also opens a door for people to step through and get involved with sailing for the first time. This new sponsorship also takes the charity’s sail at home project one stage further. This new sponsorship will now also enable regular racing all year round, as well as access to sailing which is not just on our weekends.”
If you would like to learn more about Blind Sailing please contact via blind.sailing@yahoo.co.uk or call 07796687914.
GRB Blind Sailing Team
People’s Postcode Trust funds new boat for Rye Harbour Sailability
Earlier this year Rye Harbour Sailability received funding of £19,617 from the People’s Postcode Trust.
The number of sailors at Rye Harbour Sailability has increased steadily since the charity’s launch in August 2017 and they were in desperate need of another Sailability boat. This funding has enabled the charity to buy their second boat, a Drascombe Lugger and subsequently take more sailors out on the water with reduced waiting times.
Find out more about the People’s Postcode trust here.
Have you tried eSailing?
eSailing has grown hugely in popularity this year, not least because it can be a fun way to get your racing fix when you are unable to get out on the water.
Earlier this year Megan Pascoe, from Frensham Pond Sailability won the RYA Sailability eSailing Multiclass Regatta (you can read more about the race here) and believes that eSailing is a great way to get your Sailability group together – especially over the long winter months: “The best thing about eSailing is that you are able to get together with everyone - especially this year when it is so difficult to get around.”
Lots of people also enjoy setting up Zoom conservations with friends at Sailability clubs, whilst racing against them in their weekly club regattas. This can be a fantastic way to keep in touch with everyone whilst being at home.
Megan believes that everyone can give it a go: “The majority of sailors can race, one of the great things is you don't need much sailing experience to get your boat going so anyone can play. You are definitely never too old to play either!
“There are so many different boats to sail too. Some fast, some slow, so there is always something different to sail.”
There are plenty of helpful videos on Youtube to help learn about eSailing, plus lots of information on the RYA website - find out how you can get involved on the RYA eSailing webpage
Team GBR recently won the inaugural eSailing Nations Cup Final.