UK Disabled Sailor Keith White’s World Challenge 2014

The World Challenge is to sail single handed and non stop around the world. It sounds simple enough doesn’t it? The route itself is straightforward, Disabled sailor Keith White will sail around the world from west to east via the great capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin and the Horn. Be in no doubt, this will be the biggest challenge of his life. With one working hand, for 10 months Keith will sail alone, heading south in the Atlantic, across the bay of Biscay, the Doldrums at the Equator and into the southern hemisphere. Keith will brace himself for the perilous voyage across the Southern OceansIndian and Pacific Oceans with its huge swells, savage storms and tumultuous seas. Keith will then take on the mighty Cape Horn before finally sailing north up the Atlantic back to Great Britain.

Farrow's flag bid

SAILOR Andrew Farrow is planning to fly the green and white of the Wiltshire flag at this summer’s international 2.4 metre class European Championships in the Netherlands this summer. The 48-year-old, from Devizes, tasted top class competition for the first time at last year’s World Championships and after being presented with a £1000 grant from Wiltshire Council at Trowbridge’s County Hall last week, Farrow is ready to book his place at July’s Europeans, which take place on the Sneekermeer lake. “Getting the grant from the council was fantastic because it shows that they’re not just interested in the younger athletes – it’s going to pay for me to go to the European championships and without it, I simply wouldn’t be able to go,” said Farrow, who has been wheelchair-bound since 2006. “Getting the chance to compete among the best sailors around is thrilling and I can’t wait to represent Team Wiltshire there. “I’m definitely taking a Wiltshire flag along with me to competitions this year. “I don’t think that I’ll be allowed to put it on the boat when I’m competing but definitely when I’m in the harbour – I can’t wait to show a few people the Great Bustard.”

Schools sailing regatta attracts record number of entries

Sailors from schools across the county made waves in this year’s Surrey Schools Regatta. Almost 100 students, aged eight to 18 and from more than 20 schools, competed at Papercourt Sailing Club in Ripley in the biggest meeting in the history of the regatta, which was set up 10 years ago. There were three races in the event, which featured a mixed fleet of one-man Laser, Topper and Optimist boats and two-man Feva, Firefly and RS200 craft. Individual medals were handed out for the best performing sailor or crew in each type of boat. However, the main focus was on the school trophies, awarded for the cumulative scores of the best four sailors representing each school. The winning team was from the Royal Grammar School in Guildford. The runner-up was Reeds School in Cobham, while third place went to Tormead School in Guildford. Jeremy Riley, head of youth development at Papercourt Sailing Club, said the record number of entries was due to a renewed publicity drive since he took over the running of the regatta two years ago. Mr Riley said there used to be several school regattas in Surrey but this is the only one remaining. The sport is enjoying a resurgence thanks to strong interest among members of Papercourt’s youth section, who made up half of the competitors in the regatta. “This is a friendly local regatta and a very enjoyable day for the sailors, who tell their friends to come,” Mr Riley said. “Sailing can appeal to students who are not interested in mainstream school sports like football or rugby.” He praised the efforts of the 30 parents who volunteered to help with the running of the regatta. “I hope we can keep building the popularity of this event,” he said. “It takes a lot of organisation, but it is great to give something back to the community and seeing the smiles of the sailors makes it all worthwhile.”

Hilary Lister hits the record books again,brave disabled sailor crosses ocean

Quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister today set a new trans-ocean record by becoming the first paralysed woman to complete the 850 NM sea voyage from Mumbai in India to Muscat, Oman. Her sailing partner, Omani yachtswoman Nashwa Al Kindi, also set a record of her own as the first Arab woman sailor to complete the trip. The pair sailed into port at the end of their voyage which started from the busy port on the western coast of India and crossed the Indian Ocean. Back on dry land, Hilary says the hardest part was getting off the boat: "I never wanted to get off!" She adds: "We had a few challenges, but for me it's all about pushing yourself to the limit. It's meeting those challenges that gives me so much pleasure. "We had some fun moments too. There were dolphins and whales along the way - and I even got slapped in the face by a flying fish. And at night, the sight of phosphorescence on the water and clear starry skies is absolutely beautiful." It was the latest in a series of challenges that Hilary has set herself. She first made it to the record books in 2005, when she sailed the English Channel, and again in 2009 when she sailed solo around Britain. Hilary and Nashwa's arrival in Muscat was well-timed, as the port is currently playing host to some of the elite of competitive sailing whilst it hosts the 2nd Act of the 2014 Extreme Sailing Series. The GAC Pindar team, skippered by Australian Seve Jarvin, is among the crews vying for a place on the leader board.

Brixham sailing charity to appear on Adrian Edmondson's TV show

A BRIXHAM-based charity is sailing to fame in the first episode of a new prime-time television show this week. Trinity Sailing Foundation is appearing on the ITV programme Ade at Sea on Thursday, March 20. Television presenter Adrian Edmondson spent a day filming on Trinity’s 1892-built vessel Leader last summer. The star of The Young Ones and Bottom sailed six miles out from the Torbay coastline with Trinity’s crew and operations manager Matt Gilchrist. Matt said: “It was a nice day for it and everyone seemed to have a good time at sea. Ade was a nice guy and took a real interest in the history of the vessels, as did his film crew.” Ade at Sea producer Simon Paintin said it was a pleasure to work with Trinity. He said: “We filmed our presenter learning the ropes at sea and experiencing the wonderful work Trinity are doing, supporting the development of young people and keeping the heritage of the old Brixham trawlers alive. “The whole Trinity team were so accommodating, organised and helpful. I don’t think you could find a more passionate, enthusiastic and friendly group of people.” Trinity aims to support the personal development of disadvantaged young people through off-shore sail training and to conserve the nationally important historic sailing vessels in its care. The organisation’s fleet of vessels, based in Brixham, also provides opportunities for traditional sailing holidays around the UK and Europe.

Massive congratulations to Hilary Lister & Nashwa al Kindi on their record breaking passage!!!

Sailing race boost for festival

ONE OF the world’s largest sailing events has now been teamed with the Isle of Wight Festival of the Sea as a combined out of peak season tourist attraction. The week-long Festival of the Sea was created by Visit Isle of Wight — the Island’s tourism organisation — and has been moved this year to start on June 16 to coincide with the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. Organised by the Island Sailing Club, the race features some of the country’s top sailors among the 17,000 participants, including Americas Cup winner and four time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Ben Ainslie. One of the weekend highlights will be the Race Village in Cowes Yacht Haven on June 21 and 22, featuring the Red Funnel Cowes Food Festival and Cookery Theatre. VIOW chief executive David Thornton said: "We are excited to be able to announce our second Festival of the Sea, an annual event which helps us promote the Island’s unique seafaring heritage to our visitor market and attract visitors outside the summer holiday period. "We are delighted that Cowes is getting behind this marketing initiative this year. We expect to announce additional events in Ventnor, Ryde and Yarmouth soon and hope that all the Island’s resorts will participate."

New event for Cowes 2014

A NEW sailing event is coming to Cowes this summer. The Etchells Invitational Cup will take place over four days from July 28, hosted jointly by the Royal Thames and the Royal London Yacht Clubs and attracting teams from around the world. Twenty identical boats will be supplied by the Cowes Etchells fleet so no competitor has an equipment advantage, as they try to win the 140-year-old Gertrude Cup. David Franks, Cowes Etchells fleet captain, said: "This event will be a showcase for yacht clubs from around the world to demonstrate the many talented sailors that they have in their ranks, without the need for a huge budget." Clubs from America, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Malta have already registered their interest.

Rugby and Daventry Sailing Club awarded £10,000 from Sport England to buy four new boats

Even more local people will get the chance to get into and keep sailing this summer after Rugby and Daventry Sailing Club was awarded £10,000 from Sport England to buy four new boats. The club, based on Drayton Reservoir in Daventry, has invested in four Hartley 12 dinghies that can be sailed by one-person, as part of its RYA-endorsed ‘Get Into Sailing At RDSC’ activities programme. To celebrate the arrival of the new boats for the 2014 season, RDSC invites you and your family to enjoy a free taste of sailing on Saturday 17 May, as the club hosts an anyone-welcome Open Day as part of RYA Push the Boat Out weekend. Meanwhile, if you already know you want to learn to sail this year, and get involved in a fantastic, social outdoor sport where everyday life really does get left on the shore, the club’s adult RYA Start Sailing courses start on Saturday, April 12, with further courses scheduled for June and September. The club also runs junior Start Sailing courses. RYA Start Sailing introduces people to the basics and gives them the best first experience in the sport, while also providing opportunities for them to then stay involved and keep improving their skills at welcoming, inclusive sailing clubs. Sylvia Dawson, RDSC Club Commodore, said: “We regularly run successful training courses, however we have in the past found it difficult to keep people coming back regularly once they have initially learned to sail. “This isn’t because of a lack of enthusiasm but a shortage of one-person boats. “Our adult beginner courses take place in boats sailed by two people plus an instructor. This allows trainees to progress quickly from beginner to competent sailor. But with the time pressured lifestyles of today, it can be hard for improver sailors to coordinate sailing dates with regular partners and the upshot is they stop coming.” “Enabling improvers to sail one-person boats on their own, with an instructor on hand, builds confidence in their own ability and they are more likely to continue sailing. We also want to promote the fact boat ownership isn’t essential in the sport and having good quality, reliable boats available for people to sail supports this.” Rugby and Daventry SC is a recognised RYA Training Centre, meaning it conforms to the highest standards of quality and safety. RYA Push the Boat Out weekend is a national event that will see hundreds of sailing clubs across the country opening their gates for local people to come and ‘have a go’ at sailing, and at some clubs windsurfing too, with an experienced hand. For full details of everything going on at RDSC this year, and how you can get involved, visit www.rdsc.org.uk

Teenager named sailor of the year

Kieran Graham, 16, picked up the Trident RYA North East Young Sailor of the Year Award. The youngster, of East Boldon, who attends Whitburn Church of England Academy, received the trophy from despatch manager Daniel Rooney during a surprise presentation at the RYA Instructors Conference, hosted by South Shields Sailing Club. Kieran said: “I’m really pleased to have received the Trident Trophy. I’ve been sailing about seven years now. “I had a great year last year and I hope 2014 will be even more exciting. I’ll be competing again at the Sea Scout National Sailing Regatta, which this year visits South Shields. “And in June, I’ll be representing the British Sea Scouts in the International Sea Scout Cup at Long Beach, California.” Kieran, a member of the South Shields Sea Scouts, had a successful year in 2013, winning the RYA NE Youth Travellers Series in July, and a first place in the under18 single handed class at the Sea Scout National Sailing Regatta in August. Managing director of Trident UK Jackie Gebhard said: “Kieran is a worthy winner of the Trident Trophy. “This is the 16th year of the Trident RYA North East Young Sailor Award and Kieran’s name will be added to the trophy, joining some excellent young sailors, many of whom have gone on to win National, European and World Championships in recent years.” Steve Gibbon, chairman of the RYA North East Region, added: “It was very appropriate to present Kieran with his award at the RYA Instructors conference. “Kieran already teaches younger members of the club to sail and race and he should make a great RYA Instructor in the near future.”

Trans-ocean voyage begins for Hilary Lister and Nashwa Al Kindi

British quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister and Oman’s Nashwa Al Kindi have set out today (Tuesday, March 11) from Mumbai to Muscat on an extraordinary trans-ocean crossing which will be the first to be completed by a severely paralysed woman and the first to be recorded by an Arab female sailor. Hilary, 42, suffers from degenerative disease called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and is paralysed from the neck down. She became one of Britain’s best-known sailors in 2009 when she sailed solo around Britain to set a new disabled record. Nashwa, 32, is a sailing instructor at Oman Sail who started sailing in 2011 and has since won the 'Coach of the Year' award at Oman Sail’s Sailor of the Year Awards 2013 and the prestigious ISAF President Development Award 2013 for outstanding achievement in the field. Eight months ago, Hilary visited Oman to give a series of motivational talks at Oman Sail and the two women hit it off immediately and started to make plans. The trip was scheduled to start on March 10th, but was delayed by 24 hours to clear customs. The pair set sail from Mumbai on a stable 28-foot Dragonfly trimaran and are expected to return to Muscat on March 19th.. The boat has been specially adapted to take the sip and puff sailing technology that Hilary relies on to control the boat. The sip and puff technology is a method used to send signals to a device using air pressure by inhaling or exhaling into a straw. Hilary will use three straws to control steering, sails and navigation. During the 850 nautical mile voyage the two women will operate a watch system to ensure safe and steady progress. During the day, a watch will be six hours and at night three or four hours with breaks for drinks and meals. When Nashwa is on watch, she will switch off Hilary’s system and operate the boat manually. Speaking about the voyage, Nashwa Al Kindi said, 'I’m doing this to inspire the Omani people - if I can do this then there is no reason why anyone shouldn’t go after their dreams.' Hilary Lister added: 'If we get more than 10 to 15 knots it will be a fantastic ride – we will be strapping ourselves to the boat and loving every second of it.' The two female sailors will be accompanied onboard by Oman Sail’s Niall Myant, a qualified Yachtmaster with extensive offshore sailing experience, who will help in the event of an emergency and a carer to attend to Hilary’s medical needs. Neither will assist in the sailing of the boat.

Grant to help build pontoon to improve disabled access at Hartlepool club

A SAILING club has been given a £10,000 grant to help get more people involved in the sport. Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club (THYC) clinched the grant from Sport England – as well as receiving the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) award for North-East club initiative of the year. The grant will build a new pontoon that will improve disabled access to the club’s boats. The awards were presented to the yacht club’s president Tommy Richardson and Commodore Barry Hughes by the ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Stephen Akers-Belcher. Mr Hughes thanked Sport England, Hartlepool Council’s sport and activity team and the RYA and said: “At the club, we are committed to our goal of bringing sailing and boating opportunities to a wider audience. "This goal was made easier by the generous support of Hartlepool Borough Council whose grants and bursaries allowed our plans to take shape. “Indeed, it was the club’s work with the council that brought the club to the attention of the RYA North East committee and led ultimately to the club Initiative of the Year award." Steve Gibbon, Chairman of the RYA North East Region, said: “We had several strong entries but the entry from Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club was outstanding. “Volunteering is recognised by the RYA as one of the pivotal aspects of our sport and provides a foundation upon which we can build a successful sailing nation. “That starts with club like Tees and Hartlepool. Without the time and dedication of volunteers, success such as that achieved by the club would not be possible.”

Isle of Mull gets £450,000 funding for pontoon

A PONTOON is to be built in a small community on the island of Mull in a bid to boost tourism by allowing yachts and tour operators to berth at the spot. A grant of £451,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund has been pledged to the Mull and Iona Community Trust to pay for the new facility for Ulva Ferry, in north-west Mull. It is expected the pontoon will provide berthing for yachts and access for tour and ferry operators while also catering for fishermen. Cally Fleming, Ulva Ferry Local Development Officer, said: "Sailing tourism is increasing on the west coast of Scotland, however there are no berthing facilities on the west of Mull - which has some of the most spectacular sailing on the west of Scotland. "This facility will complement other pontoon facilities within a day's sail, such as Lochaline, Tobermory, Salen Jetty and Loch Sunart, and will help to open up the sailing grounds on the west of Mull to more yachtsmen." Work is expected to start later this year with the facility scheduled to open at the start of the 2015 season. Planning is also under way to secure funding for a facilities building. Meanwhile, £270,0000 has been awarded to two schemes aimed at boosting outdoor activities tourism in Arran and Cumbrae. A sum of £100,000 will provide up to 28 moorings along the North Ayrshire coastline while £170,000 will go towards upgrading the Isle of Arran coastal way, a 65-mile walking trail round the island.