Scottish Club Chat - August

It’s been a packed past month, between the big boat action of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in Oban, and the Olympic sailing which has just wrapped up – not to mention the wealth of club and centre activity that’s on the go, regardless of what weather our Scottish summer throws at us.

Everyone surely enjoyed all the excitement and drama of the Paris 2024 Olympics, especially the sailing events in Marseille. While Team GB may not be bringing home as many medals as we would like, there have certainly been some impressive and memorable performances. All our Olympians should be proud of their accomplishments, as we are.

Closer to home, Loch Morlich Sailing Club and Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club celebrated their Olympians, Fynn Sterritt and Anna Burnet respectively, with race watch parties. It takes a big team to get an athlete to an Olympic starting line, and these two communities were crucial in that journey for both Anna and Fynn. The joy and pride in seeing them in the Olympics was obvious in all who gathered.

Loads of activity in the West Region! The town of Oban was a buzzing hive of activity when the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race stopped over in July. Oban Sailing Club hosted a Clipper Talk by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, while RYA Scotland helped organise a beach clean at nearby Dunstaffanage Castle. Later in the month during West Highland Yachting Week, RYAS helped support the prize giving at the club, as well as giving coach support to their Monday Mayhem.

Harry Besley visited Crinan on his trip around Britain in an eRIB, raising awareness of zero emission propulsion and the climate emergency. Those who were able to visit with Harry learned how a simple change to the manufacture of the RIB would allow existing marina charging points to be compatible. Learn more about Harry’s adventure, follow him with the tracker, and donate here.

Elsewhere in the West, Largs Sailing Club and Prestwick Sailing Club have been working together to deliver training and youth racing. These two clubs provide a great example how clubs and communities can work together to share resources, support each other, and ultimately grow the sport.

And Stranraer Water Sports Association hosted the Scottish Fin & Foil Open Championships, 7^th to 11^th August. RYAS staff and volunteers were well represented, helping to support the event and celebrate this growing sporting opportunity.

World Drowning Prevention Day was the 25^th of July. The day was marked with a hugely successful open day at Loch Lomond Shores, hosted in partnership by Scottish Water and Water Safety Scotland. Rhys Gorman, RYAS Regional Development Officer – East, attended alongside other partners such as Paddle Scotland, Scottish Swimming, the RNLI, Sea Cadets, The Darcey Sunshine Foundation and more in support of reducing deaths through drowning and promoting the Water Safety Code.

Did you know in Scotland in 2023 there were 47 accidental drownings? We believe through training at our clubs and recognised training centres we are teaching people of all ages how to be safe while enjoying time on the water, from gaining weather forecasts, to choosing the right clothing and equipment. Read more here.

A big welcome to the latest RYA OnBoard venues: Solway Yacht Club, Prestwick Sailing Club, Oban Sailing Club, Findhorn Watersports, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Largs Sailing Club, and Blairvadach Outdoor Centre! OnBoard is the RYA children's sailing and windsurfing programme. If your club is an RYA recognised training centre, you can join and receive free resources, support from RYA and RYA Scotland, and free instructor training. Do you already deliver instruction and coaching to children? Speak to your RDO about how OnBoard can help build on what you already do.

Thanks to all the clubs who submitted your 2024 RYA Affiliated Club Membership Census information. The census is important for the RYA and RYA Scotland to understand the current capacity and health of the nation’s club network, and subsequently, to understand how to best support affiliated clubs by sharing opportunities, successes and challenges faced across the UK. If your club has not yet completed the census, please do so right away as the deadline has passed.

The 2024 Connected Scotland dates and venue are confirmed. The conference will be held 2-3 November at the Regional Performance Centre in Dundee. The theme will be keeping people safe and creating a welcoming environment. Content will be presented in partnership with the RYA Scotland Coaching and Pathways teams, and the RYA, covering a diverse range of topics and interests delivered in interactive sessions. There will also be ample opportunities to converse with the RYA, RYA Scotland staff and volunteers, as well as your peers in the Scotland boating community. Please plan to attend!

Nominations for sportscotland’s Coaching, Officiating & Volunteering Awards are now open! Does your club have an unsung hero? An inspirational volunteer? A positive role model? Read more about the various categories and criteria and make a nomination today. The deadline is 12 noon on Tuesday 20 August.

Also consider nominating someone for an RYA Scotland Impact Award. Nominations are open year-round for you to put forward those who make a difference to your boating. Whether that’s an inspirational person, team, or organisation – we want to hear from you! Get involved now – your nomination could become cause for celebration! View previous winners on the RYAS YouTube Channel.

On Course for the Future is RYA Scotland’s new development framework for RYA-affiliated clubs, centres, and associations. The framework is comprised of several guides to help you continue to develop and effectively steer the direction of your organisation. Explore the document yourself or with your fellow leaders; then reach out to your RDO to discuss how and where to get started with it.

The 2024 RYA Scotland Coach Education Subsidy is open for applications. From the RYAS Coach Education Team: “RYA Scotland through sportscotland funding have the opportunity to provide subsidy for people completing RYA instructor qualifications in the small boat schemes. This subsidy is primarily aimed at dinghy and windsurf instructor courses and RCL2 courses however, we would also like to hear from those looking for support in power schemes. Our priority areas for subsidy are young people (under 26), rural applications and female applicants. We would also welcome applications from individuals or organisations who may not fit these criteria. Please contact coaching@ryascotland.org.uk if you have any queries.” Apply here.

Here are a few funding options to consider:

• RYA Foundation Youth Fund
• RYA Scotland Class Grants, supporting training, events, and regatta attendance in Scotland;
• National Lottery Awards for All Scotland (Please ensure your RDO is aware of any application for this funding as they will likely be consulted during the review process).
• Aldi Scottish Sport Fund: applications for Fife, Perth & Kinross from 29 July to 1 September
• Tesco Stronger Starts;
• Bruce Wake Charitable Trust, for the provision of leisure activities for people with physical disabilities;
• The Sportsman’s Charity;
• Marine Fund Scotland 2024-2025.

What is happening at your club or centre? Our Development Team is here to support you, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help. But we also want to hear about your successes and even ordinary stuff. Email us (Development@RYAScotland.org.uk) or tag RYA Scotland on social media or share your newsletters with your RDO.

All the best from The Development Team – Laura, Brian, Rhys, Liza & Naseef

12/8/2024