The very special Cornish yacht changing the lives of thousands of kids

 

An inspirational sail youth charity is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its boat by taking a group of young people on a voyage of a lifetime.

Morvargh Sailing Project is a Cornish Sail Training organisation based in Fowey. It will mark the 40th anniversary of its vessel Helen Mary R with ASPIRE40, a 40-day youth expedition around the English Channel in 2026.

Over the past four decades, the organisation has taken young people on sailing journeys around UK waters in a bid to challenge and inspire them through real responsibility and shared purpose.

Next year the 57-foot Bowman yacht, built by the Rona Sailing Project in 1986, will undertake a continuous 40-day voyage with the same eight young people aboard throughout. The crew will circumnavigate the English Channel, sailing to France, the Channel Islands, Southern England, and London, learning to navigate, steer through the night, and live as a close-knit team.

Over the course of 40 days, the crew will live and work together in all conditions, standing night watches, cooking at sea, and navigating between nations. From tidal crossings to open-water passages, the expedition will combine challenge, learning, and adventure, giving each young person a true sense of life at sea and the achievement of reaching new shores under their own effort.

Testwood Lakes Sailability receives King's Award for service

 

Testwood Lakes Sailability has been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest award for volunteer groups across the UK.

The Totton-based organisation, which allows people with learning or physical disabilities to experience dinghy sailing, was honoured with the prestigious award for its work with the community.

The charity, run entirely by volunteers, aims to give people with a disability the opportunity to experience the freedom and joy that sailing brings.

Some people simply enjoy a relaxing sail on the lake while others develop their skills and some even go on to sail solo.

The award, equivalent to an MBE, recognises the outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities.

The trustees said: "How incredibly proud and delighted we are to have received The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025.

"This honour recognises the amazing contribution and hard work that our volunteers, past and present, have made over the years to grow Testwood Lakes Sailability into not only a successful but also an enjoyable charity to be involved in.

"It enables us to offer the freedom of dinghy sailing to a greater number of people with disabilities.

"Thank you to all our sponsors and everyone who has made our work possible."

Splash and Dash for the National Champions (and anyone who wants to join)

 

A number of big-name sailors have signed up for the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, the first event of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series coming up next weekend. Sign up to join them for some close competition...

"To be a champion you must act like a champion." Lou Ferrigno, former Mr Universe and Incredible Hulk actor

If you want to act like a sailing champion, get your entry in for Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, which takes place on the weekend of 22 & 23 November at Draycote Water Sailing Club.

The Events

The following events are in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2025/26:

Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club - 22 & 23 November 2025

Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club - 6 & 7 December 2025

Polar Chase, Chase Sailing Club - 13 December 2025

Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club - 27 December 2025

Gill Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club - 4 January 2026

GJW Direct Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club - 10 January 2026

John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club - 31 January 2026 & 1 February 2026

Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club - 14 February 2026

Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough - 21 February 2026

You can find out more about the Series at  - www.SailJuiceSeries.com

Rhodes Sailing Extravaganza

 

Here’s a 7-day sailing itinerary around Rhodes that blends great anchorages with memorable on-shore activities. Distances are manageable, with time for swimming, exploring, and relaxing.

Day 1 – Mandraki Harbour (Rhodes Town) → Kalithea Bay

Sail: ~6 NM south

Easy first day, crystal-clear water, sheltered coves

On-shore activities:

Visit Therme of Kalithea, beautifully restored 1920s spa

Snorkel the rocky coves and underwater caves

Dinner at a beachside taverna

Day 2 – Kalithea Bay → Lindos

Sail: ~22 NM

One of the most iconic destinations on Rhodes

On-shore activities:

Walk or take a donkey path up to the Acropolis of Lindos

Explore Lindos’ sugar-cube old town

Swim in St. Paul’s Bay, a naturally sheltered lagoon

Enjoy rooftop dining with a view of the acropolis

Day 3 – Lindos → Plimiri

Sail: ~12 NM

 Quiet anchorage, long sand beaches, relaxed vibe

On-shore activities:

Beach walk and swimming

Birdwatching around the wetlands behind the beach

Optional: visit the remote Agios Georgios chapel

Day 4 – Plimiri → Prasonisi (Southern Tip of Rhodes)

Sail: ~10 NM

Dramatic landscapes, meeting point of Aegean & Mediterranean

On-shore activities:

Walk the tombolo to Prasonisi Island (walkable depending on season)

Watch or try windsurfing/kitesurfing on the windy side

Hike the small lighthouse hill for sunset views

Day 5 – Prasonisi → Kamiros Skala

Sail: ~28 NM up the west coast

Rugged coastline, fewer tourists, ancient ruins

On-shore activities:

Explore the Ancient City of Kamiros, one of Rhodes' three ancient cities

Visit small local tavernas for fresh seafood

Swim in quiet, unspoiled coves along the west coast

Day 6 – Kamiros Skala → Symi (Optional Offshore Trip)

Sail: ~23 NM to Symi (or stay in Rhodes if preferred)

One of the most stunning neoclassical harbors in Greece

On-shore activities:

Walk the Kali Strata steps to the old town

Visit Panormitis Monastery on the south of the island (short sail or taxi)

Explore boutique shops, pastel houses, and waterfront cafés

Alternative if you want to stay within Rhodes:

Kamiros Skala → Anthony Quinn Bay / Faliraki (~18 NM) for snorkeling and nightlife.

Day 7 – Return to Rhodes Town (Mandraki Harbour)

From Symi: ~24 NM

From Anthony Quinn Bay: ~7 NM

On-shore activities:

Explore the Medieval Old Town, a UNESCO site

Walk the Street of the Knights

Visit the Palace of the Grand Master

Enjoy a farewell dinner overlooking the old harbor

Optional Visits

Day trip to Chalki Island (quiet beaches, pastel houses)

Wine tasting at Rhodes vineyards near Embonas

Hiking in the Butterfly Valley (Petaloudes)

Diving excursions around the east coast caves

Would you like help planning your next trip?

Please let us know about your sailing experiences and where you're planning to go by using our Contact Form on this Blog, with your requirements to receive immediate help and assistance and using our Vast Knowledge and Experience to Help and Guide You.

WITH 12,000 RENTAL YACHTS ACROSS 60 COUNTRIES WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE?

#yachts2rentnow

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Sailing Competition programme confirmed

 

The LA28 Organising Committee has confirmed the event programme and competition framework for the Olympic Sailing Competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

In a move designed to maximise spectator engagement and broadcast coverage, the 10 sailing events will be staged consecutively from 16 to 28 July 2028, with Men’s and Women’s Kite the first medals decided on 19 July 2028.

Belmont Shore in Long Beach is staging the board events and the Port of Los Angeles hosting the dinghy, multihull and skiff events.

Britain will hope for a better result to the last time sailing was hosted at Long Beach in 1984, when they finished with just one bronze medal, in the Flying Dutchman class.

LA28 Olympic Sailing Competition schedule – 16 to 28 July 2028

Phase 1: Board Events – Belmont Shore, Long Beach

Men’s Kite (Formula Kite) – 16 to 19 July 2028

Women’s Kite (Formula Kite) – 16 to 19 July 2028

Men’s Windsurfing (iQFOiL) – 17 to 20 July 2028

Women’s Windsurfing (iQFOiL) – 17 to 20 July 2028

Phase 2: Boat Events – Port of Los Angeles

Men’s Dinghy (ILCA 7) – 23 to 26 July 2028

Women’s Dinghy (ILCA 6) – 23 to 26 July 2028

Mixed Dinghy (470) – 24 to 27 July 2028

Mixed Multihull (Nacra 17) – 24 to 27 July 2028

Men’s Skiff (49er) – 25 to 28 July 2028

Women’s Skiff (49erFX) – 25 to 28 July 2028

Open up a whole new world of sailing through the Etchells Youth Academy

 

The Etchells Youth Academy fills a vital role in helping young sailors transition from dinghies to keelboats and learn the skills necessary to compete at the highest level, regardless of the type of sailing they do.

Based at the mecca of sailing which is Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the Academy has been set up and supported by extraordinary benefactors who have seen the need, and delivered the answer. Over the past 14 years it has provided the opportunity to access coaching of the very highest standard, and then some of the best one design racing available.

Great sailors have gone through the Academy and on to great things in a number of disciplines which don't necessarily involve keels. The old adage of widening the variety of sailing you do to increase your performance holds true. Stick with just one type of sailing and you'll be missing out on much of what the sport has to offer.

The Academy is currently recruiting for its 2026 programme, set to run over five weekends between 1st January and 31st March, and includes race training, safety and seamanship, such as man overboard drills, race organisation, navigation, tactics and strategy, tuning and trim, racing rules, boat maintenance and management, and the vital teamwork which is needed to succeed in sailing.

There is simply no better way to fast-track your knowledge and skills in keelboat sailing.

David Maclean has joined Cowes Etchells relatively recently, and is a huge supporter of the Etchells Youth Academy. David is now also Captain of Fleet Racing at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, which also supports and organisers a number of youth initiatives:

"It's great to be a part of the sailors' story, and their journey in the sport, helping them continue sailing where they might have stopped. The opportunities are endless, as I've learned first-hand by sailing the boat. If you can make an Etchells go, then you can make any boat go!"

So how do you get involved in the Etchells Youth Academy? Sign up! Full details can be found below, including the costs, eligibility and the key dates. Organise yourselves as a team and you'll learn like never before, and open up a whole new world of sailing.

Places are limited, so get your entry in as quickly as possible. For Keelboat Race Training contact Ted Blowers, email edwardblowers@hotmail.co.uk and for the 2026 Youth Academy contact David Bedford, email bedfordd@hotmail.com

Jersey Regatta welcomes Butterfield as title sponsor

 

,The Jersey's combined sailing clubs' organising committee is delighted to announce that Butterfield in Jersey will be the new title sponsor of the Jersey Regatta in 2026 as part of a three-year agreement. In taking up the baton, Butterfield is joining a distinguished line-up of local firms who have provided outstanding support since the Regatta's debut in 1999.

Regatta Chairman Bill Harris said: "We are thrilled to welcome Butterfield as our new title sponsor. Their presence in the Channel Islands and commitment to the community, in addition to their support of maritime initiatives, makes them an ideal partner for the 28th edition of this exciting 'flagship' event."

Richard Saunders, Managing Director of Butterfield in the Channel Islands and UK, said: "We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the Jersey Regatta for the next three years. Supporting the Regatta is not just about celebrating sailing, it is also about the tradition and culture of coastal communities like Jersey and bringing people together in the spirit of friendly competition. Our logo proudly features a mythical sea dragon, a wyvern, which symbolises our connection to the oceans and so we very much look forward to the start of our partnership with the Butterfield Jersey Regatta in 2026."

The Regatta, scheduled to run from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th September 2026, is designed to provide everyone with fun, competitive racing and vibrant shore-side activity. Taking place in the beautiful natural arena of St Aubin's Bay and adjacent coastal waters, the Regatta is an open event for boats in cruiser, sportsboat, dayboat, dinghy and sport catamaran classes from across the Channel Islands, United Kingdom and France. The key attraction for the IRC cruiser classes will, undoubtedly, be the 13th GBR IRC Channel Islands Championships (rorcrating.com).

Entry will be through the Notice of Race due for publication on the official notice board, www.jerseyregatta.com early next year.

Tide Ride :: RS800 FINAL

Check It, Tune It, Trust It - a New Nationwide Initiative by Technical Marine Supplies

 

Rigging safety starts with awareness - and ends with action. That's why Technical Marine Supplies have launched the Check it, Tune it, Trust it campaign: an initiative to raise awareness of rigging maintenance among boat owners, and to encourage you to take preventative action before problems arise.

Rigging is the backbone of any sailing vessel, yet its condition is often overlooked until failure occurs. The campaign encourages owners to take a structured, preventative approach to rigging health, in collaboration with local riggers, leading hardware manufacturers and marine surveyors.

From terminals and turnbuckles to spreaders and stays, you should engage with a local professional, who'll advise on what to look for - and when to act.

By educating owners on these timely tasks, raising awareness that a yacht's rigging is a consumable, and offering expert support, TMS aim to extend the service life of rigging and improve onboard safety. Whether you're preparing for a season of coastal cruising or gearing up for offshore passage making, Check it, Tune it, Trust it is your first step toward peace of mind.

Backed by TMS' technical expertise and nationwide network of rigging professionals, TMS is proud to support safer sailing. TMS is the leading distributor of high performance marine rigging and hardware. With a strong technical foundation and a commitment to quality, it supports rigging professionals from specification through to installation.

As proud members of the British Stainless Steel Association, TMS upholds the highest standards in material integrity and best practice, often advising surveying bodies and insurance assessors, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in the European rigging supply chain.

Contact your local rigger today to book in for your rig check this winter !

RYA Reflections on Water Survey - Help shape the Future of Boating

Tickets on sale now! - RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026

 

The UK's biggest celebration of small-boat sailing and watersports returns to Farnborough International on 21-22 February 2026, bringing together the community for a weekend of inspiration, innovation and practical know-how.

Whether you're into dinghy racing, cruising, windsurfing, foiling, winging or paddleboarding, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show is the ultimate place to kick off your new season, explore the latest gear and technique tips, and connect with people who share your passion for life on the water.

Discover new boats, cutting-edge tech, expert coaching sessions from leading names in the sport, and the latest kit and accessories from top marine brands.

Plus, you can enjoy a packed programme with talks, demos, simulators and interactive displays from some of the best-loved names in the business.

Musto Skiffs at the Itchenor Firecracker

 

Eleven Mustos assembled for their now established end of season event at Itchenor. It's usually an event with Baltic weather where sailors have to thaw out around the fire in the cosy clubhouse, but this time the event started with sun, warmth - and no wind.

The fleet was starting to wonder if any sailing was going to happen that day when the predicted 8 knot westerly finally arrived. Let battle commence! And quite a battle it was.

The breeze was fairly steady but it was mostly the changing tide giving the tactical options. In Race 1 Andy "Turbo' Tarboten, Eddie Bridle and Tom Kyne managed to break away from the rest of the fleet with Eddie taking the win followed by Andy and Tom. The rest of the fleet was very tight with an exciting finish as most of the rest of the fleet converged right on the finish.

Race 2 was similarly tight, however with the tide turning the middle of the course was now paying. Turbo managing to pull ahead, with Brennan Robinson and Brian Greensmith following, but again there was very little to separate the rest of the fleet and an awful lot of place changing.

Time ran out for further racing so the fleet headed in. With nearly everyone staying at the club, and a relatively late start the next day, the fleet decamped to the club bar and the local pub. And unfortunately, caught up in the excitement of the event, a few un-named sailors forgot where the door was to the accomodation block, and despite standing only a few yards away, failed to locate it and spent the night in a car!

There was no waiting around on Sunday and a brisk 12-15 knots made for fast and fun racing. Usually when the breeze gets up the fleet separates more, but this didn't seem to be the case - it was still very tight racing with a lot of place changes.

In Race 3 Dave Poston went hard left and got a jump on the fleet to lead at the first mark but was overhauled by a flawless Tarboten, closely followed by Tom Scott and Dave Annan. In Race 4 Poston and Tarboten again tussled for the lead in the biggest breeze of the day, with Poston losing the place after hitting a mark.

The final race saw Turbo take the lead again, winning the race and the event overall. Eddie Bridle recovered his form to take second place in the race and second overall in the event.

Our thanks go to Itchenor SC for putting on a slick event. A great end to the season for the Mustos.

Overall Results:

1st, GBR 1, Andy Tarboten

2nd, GBR 637, Eddie Bridle

3rd, GBR 616, Dave Poston

Join in the Winter Sailing 2024/25 at Northampton Sailing Club

 

Northampton Sailing Club offers winter membership for dinghy sailors, windsurfers, wing-foilers and paddleboards. This provides access to the water seven days a week and racing on Sundays.

While water levels are down in reservoirs across the country, and many close for the winter, there is still plenty of room to sail in Pitsford reservoir's 600 acres. Located in beautiful countryside near Brixworth, Northamptonshire, Northampton Sailing Club is easily reached via the A508, A14 and M1.

Winter membership runs from 1st November - 1st March and enables sailors to compete in the Winter and Icicle Series which take place on Sundays. Winter membership costs £75, and anyone taking out full membership for 2026, will receive a £30 discount.

The club has active Flying Fifteen, Solo, Laser and Phantom fleets, and offers mixed-fleet racing for most classes of dinghy in the form of handicap and pursuit races on Sundays.

The galley is staffed by caterers who offer a cooked breakfast on Sundays so sailors are well-fuelled before heading out on the water! There is also a licensed bar in the clubhouse - ideal for post-race analysis.

Northampton Sailing Club is a friendly and welcoming club with a large expanse of water and a thriving youth sailing programme as well as an on-site instructor. Winter membership offers sailors the opportunity to hone their skills and enjoy some competitive racing during the winter months.

For further details go to :- www.northamptonsailingclub.org

 or email commodore@northamptonsailingclub.org