Yacht club offer boat experience for vulnerable children in Cornwall

 A boat trip for vulnerable children to experience being on the sea has been held in Falmouth to help build confidence, resilience and skills.

The outing in Falmouth saw around school children, charities and volunteers from the The Royal Yacht Club Sailing Trust in costumes for their first trip since the pandemic.

The "Get on Board" experience included taking children out on the Carrick roads to watch the Richard Mille Cup superyacht race.

The Trust plans to use this as an opportunity to give young people, who otherwise would not be able to experience time on the water, a day of local activities and unique access to an exceptional superyacht sailing event, with another similar style event taking place in September.

Robin Taylor, trustee of Royal Cornwall Yacht Club Sailing Trust, said: "For many of the children, these are life-enhancing experiences with many of them having never been on the water or around boats before.

"Through time on the water, seeing amazing superyachts and exploring the National Maritime Museum, we aim to give them an insight into a wonderful world which they could be part off."

The majority of children supported by the Trust are from local charities and organisations who support under-resourced families and communities.

It has given several hundred such children from various local schools and organisations the opportunity to get out on the water on a variety of boats, since it started in 2012. In 2019, the Trust also organised a visit to Pendennis Shipyard, where the children were given a guided tour of the superyacht complex accompanied by current, and past, apprentices.

The aim of the RCYC Sailing Trust’s ‘’Get on Board’’ programme is to provide young people with the chance to get out on the water; a new environment for them where they can develop their confidence and capabilities, and ultimately, one that could help enrich their lives with new experiences, challenges and skills as they continue to develop into adulthood.

The Port of Falmouth Sailing Association (‘POFSA’) have chosen the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club Sailing Trust as their official charity for 2023.