Windermere to host sailing regatta

Windermere is once again to play host to the increasingly popular Windermere Marina Village sailing regatta series of races – with the competition getting under way on Saturday, April 26. The event is expected to attract around 25 boats and members of the public can enjoy the action from various points around the lake shoreline. Competitions continue on: May 24, June 21, July 5, August 23 and September 27. To participate in the series visit www.windermeremarina.co.uk

All welcome to sailing club's annual Winsford open day

WITH Winsford Flash Sailing Club’s new season now well under way, residents are being invited to experience the thrill of being out on the water at their popular Family Open Day. The event between 11am-4pm on Saturday, April 26 will allow members of the public to experience the fun of sailing first hand. The club’s extensive range of boats and facilities will be available to tour, while experienced helms will be on hand throughout the day to take visitors onto the famous Flash for a sail. Club Commodore, Sheila Sowley, said: “As always we’re extending a warm invite for the public to come along and join in the fun on what promises to be another great open-day at the club. “Everyone is welcome, from those who have never sailed before right across the board to more experienced sailors looking for a new club. “We are very lucky to have such great facilities, a fantastic group of friendly members and an action packed sailing programme right through the year.” People will be able to find out how to take their first steps into sailing and find out about the club’s popular 'learn to sail' courses, races, RYA qualifications and other social activities. For more information contact club secretary Helen Walsh via winsfordflash@gmail.com or call 01606 592726 The clubs website is winsfordflashsailing.com

Totnes brothers are picked for UK junior Feva squad

TWO brothers from Totnes have been picked for the UK National Junior squad in the Feva dinghy class. Dan and Finley Armstrong – aged 14 and 12 respectively – train up to three times a week out of Royal Torbay Yacht Club in Torbay, and are among nine boats selected for the squad, which aims to find future Olympians. Dan has been sailing Fevas for the past 18 months, and competed in the 2013 World Championships in Italy, coming 12th overall. He is now sailing with his brother Finley, and together they have gained some excellent results. Part of their squad selection will be undergoing a challenging fitness programme, and Dan and Fin are fortunate to be offered free membership by Tone Leisure in Totnes to help them meet their targets. This year they will be competing nationally in the Grand Prix circuit and National championships, and also at the World Championships in Carnac, France, in July 2014. The Armstrong brothers were among three Feva crews from RTYC who travelled to Grafham Water Sailing Club at the weekend for the first Feva Grand Prix of 2014. The club was also represented by William and James Cunliffe (Torquay Boys Grammar) and the all-girl team of Jess Jobson and Grace Gadd (Churston Ferrers Grammar). The weather was bright but breezy with the wind gusting up to 25 knots which caused some crews to capsize. In some tough conditions, James and William Cunliffe managed a fifth in one race, and were 11th overall, while the Armstrong brothers clocked up one eighth. Race training begins at the club again on Saturday, April 5, and will continue until the autumn. The club are inviting potential sailors to the club on May 10 for Push the Boat Out day when the club's current crop of ace sailors will be ready to take out all new sailors for a trial sail. THE first meeting of the season has been held at Paignton Sailing Club, with 13 boats entering the action for two races. The first race started in light winds which increased throughout the day. The line was port end biased and Nigel Williams (Fireball) shot off from the pin end and continued left, while Arthur Phillips (Solo) went right and came out smelling of roses, beating Bob Cudmore (Laser) into second place on handicap by 24 seconds. Race two, which was also port biased, started in about eight knots of wind. The boats approaching the pin were early but, with a bit of back-pedalling, managed a clean start. Well up and approaching the windward mark, Chris Tillbrook (49er) was on starboard when Elaine Slater (Fireball), on port, bore off to go behind. Unfortunately, the Slaters earned themselves a 720 degree penalty turn when they cleared the boat but rode over the protruding four-foot 49er tiller extension! The Slater's lost valuable distance allowing Nigel Williams to overtake and a close battle ensued. Williams took the fast handicap honours, while Hal Sanderson won the medium handicap. Racing at Paignton will now continue on Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm and Sunday mornings at 10.30am. The club welcomes all comers but boasts classes of Fireballs, Albacores, Lasers, RS600s and Laser 2000's. Sailing courses are also planning to start on Friday evenings and club boats are available for hire to members.

Newlyn man to sail to America in transatlantic challenge

A PHYSICIST from Newlyn is about to take on a charity challenge of sailing solo across the Atlantic and back in a 21ft boat – despite only having taken up the sport a year ago. Dr Steve Hickey, 63, who will be raising funds for the Fishermen's Mission, only decided to take up sailing when he read about the Jester Challenge, a transatlantic race from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island in America, which takes place every four years. He said: "I've always been keen on boats but never had the opportunity to do anything about it. "But when I read about the Jester Challenge, it seemed so anarchic and silly that I thought I just had to take part." About a year after discovering the race, Steve went about the task of buying a boat. A 21-foot Newbridge Coromandel became available in Falmouth and, renamed Newlyn Maid, Steve took his first sailing lessons up and down the Fal Estuary. Since then, in between the task of making his 30-year-old vessel as safe as possible for the trip, he has brought the Newlyn Maid round the Lizard to Newlyn and also sailed round Land's End to Hayle. Before the race starts on May 11, he plans several more trips. "When I set out to take part in the Jester I looked at all the risks and thought that it was not that dangerous," he said. "I have done all I can to make the boat ready for the challenge and have fitted her with multiple GPS emergency locators and I will be in contact with the shore throughout the trip." Steve also insists that his experience of sailing in Cornish waters will stand him in good stead. He said: "Some of the most dangerous waters you can sail in are just off the coast. I think the main problem will be dealing with the psychological problem of being out in a huge ocean by yourself. "My wife is a bit nervous but fairly confident about the venture – it is the people who don't know what is involved who think it is dangerous." Around 20 to 30 vessels are likely to line up at the start on May 11 and Steve hopes to not only sail out to Newport, a voyage which he expects will take around six weeks, but turn round and come back again in time for the Newlyn Fish Festival at the end of August. To find out more about how Steve has gone about preparing for the Jester Challenge, read his blog at www.newlyn maid.wordpress.com/2014/01/ If you would like to sponsor Steve, visit www.fishermens mission.org.uk/donate.html

Docklands Sailing and watersports centre

Today we see the start of the twilight evening sailing season. Our great Summer Social Sailing Event including BBQ starts on Wednesday 16th April and then every Wednesday through to October. Wednesdays from 5.30pm to 8.30pm Members : £15.00 Non Members : £25.00 A great introduction to sailing, bring your colleagues, friends or come along and make new ones. A BBQ well be served after the event and our licensed bar will be open. Bookings are advisable to guarantee your place. Helms will be required for bookings of 3 persons or more with no experienced.

Attenborough SC Lands Inspired Facilities Award

Attenborough Sailing Club has discovered it has been awarded £49,409 in the latest Sport England Inspired Facilities funding round announced yesterday (Monday 14 April). The Nottingham club has received the award to contribute towards the costs of a new £99,000 clubhouse, which will help the club attract, and retain, more people in sailing. Attenborough SC is among 324 local sports projects to secure a share of £17 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England's Inspired Facilities fund. Since 2011, Inspired Facilities has been helping breathe new life into tired community sports facilities and converting existing buildings into venues suitable for grassroots sport. The award will allow enlargement of the current facilities to include a general purpose seating area, kitchen and changing facilities. This opportunity will also enable the club to improve access for disabled members and encourage greater participation in the sport. Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: "The Inspired Facilities fund has had a huge impact on grassroots sport across the country. Since 2011, we've invested £88 million into more than 1,600 projects to improve and refurbish sports clubs and transform non-sporting venues into vibrantcommunity sports clubs. "It's great to see Attenborough Sailing Club join the long list of successful clubs to benefit from this fund." Roger Day, Attenborough SC club commodore, said: "We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can upgrade the quality of our premises and provide access for disabled members. "People will only stay in any sport if they enjoy it, and having comfortable, pleasant facilities is a major part of that enjoyment. Not only will the new clubhouse give us extra capacity but it enhances the likelihood of people wanting to come back and sail regularly with us because they know we're committed to investing in the club. "The club has always had a policy of making sailing an affordable sport to local people and without this grant we would not be able to undertake such a major improvement plan" Gareth Brookes, RYA Regional Development Officer for the Midlands, said: "There is no doubt having a modern, comfortable clubhouse will play a significant part in Attenborough SC being able to attract, and retain, more sailors in the sport and we are delighted that the club has been successful in its application." Attenborough SC is a recognised RYA Training Centre meaning it conforms to the highest standards of quality and safety. If you already know you want to learn to sail this year, and get involved in a exhilarating outdoor sport where life really does get left on the shore, Attenborough SC will be running its next adult RYA Start Sailing course in September. The club's next Youth learn to sail course starts on Friday 9 May. 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 friendly, welcoming sailing clubs. For full details on how you can get involved at Attenborough SC this year visit www.attenboroughsc.org.uk

Plain sailing for Bourne End club

A BOURNE End sailing club are holding an open day for all the family to get a taste for sailing. The Upper Thames Sailing Club is inviting people of all ages to visit the club on Sunday, April 27. Alan Markham, Commodore, said: “It’s our aim for absolutely anyone to be able to learn to sail and regularly go sailing if they want to. This year we have a short temporary membership available, and members are able to use club dinghies to start with to try out different boats.” The Open Day, along the river Thames is on from 10.30am and refreshments will be served on the day. Funds raised on the day will be donated to Sail4Cancer.

Fun had by all at GBR Blind Sailing Youth Weekend

Last weekend saw Blind Sailing host their first open youth weekend for 11-18 year olds with all ranges of visual impairments, on Lake Windermere. The aim of the weekend was to build confidence and team work and start the sailors or for some progress their skills to racing, and to allow families to mix. Saturday saw a cold gusty westerly breeze, tricky conditions if you are sighted, but all did fantastically well. The day was set for getting into dinghies and building their skills, feeling the breeze through various exercise. For one of the sailors Jack it was his first time out on the water, Jack is 15 years old and totally blind, in the tricky conditions Jack took to helming and crewing starting on the road to learning the key skills, a slight dip of his toes in the water did not put him off he was back out on the water learning more very quickly. For some of the more experience learning to feel the breeze and hiking out working together, with their sighted crew, in the tricky gusty conditions listening to the sighted crew calling in the guest then learning to feel the boat in the changing conditions. All came off the water on Saturday with smiles all be it a bit cold but looking forward to Sunday. Behind the sailing, Blind Sailing also try's to help people on land, Saturday evening saw all families join together for a meal to share stories. Sunday saw a similar day of weather. The sailing was stepped up with exercises being based on racing, all did fantastic, smiles all round. The two to one tuition in the boats helps the sailors be shown in the boat what to do and the description of what is happening outside helps them build up their knowledge and picture of what to do. The smiles on the sighted crews and comments of being part of weekends like this says as much as the smiles on the sailors and parents faces. Windermere provided a great place to learn and Blind Sailing must say a big thank you to North Country Leisure, Jonny Cormack, Adam McGovern, Justin Smith, Colin Midgley and Alex Aspinwall, Chris and everyone else that was involved with supporting this weekend. If you would like to support or know more please email blind.sailing@yahoo.co.uk www.blindsailing.net

Top prospect Maisie Harkness given early look at Tokyo's 2020 Olympic venue

BOWMOOR Sailing Club member Maisie Harkness is one of just three youngsters who have been chosen to represent GB at the Japan Friendship Regatta which takes place at Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic sailing venue next month. Maisie, 13, lives in Stroud but goes to Cirencester Deer Park School. She has been sailing an Optimist Dinghy competitively for four years, learning the sport at Bowmoor in Lechlade. Maisie is thought to have the potential to become a future Olympian having completed two years’ training in the South West zone squad and one year in the National Development Squad. Both squads are subsidised by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and through Sport England grants. The opportunity to sail in Japan was extended to 13- and 14-year-olds by the International Optimist Class Association (IOCA). Maisie applied for a place and was delighted to be accepted. She flies out to Japan on May 1 with one other Optimist sailor and one Laser sailor. They will race for two days on the same course that will be used for the 2020 Olympics. The cost of her accommodation, food, race entry fees and boat charter will be met by the Japanese host yacht club but the air fares are self-funded and she is approaching local trusts for help. As part of her preparations for the trip, Maisie is spending three days training at Fowey Galants Sailing Club in Cornwall.

Otley Sailing Club receives £50,000

An award-winning Wharfedale sailing club is celebrating winning a £50,000 award to improve its facilities. Otley Sailing Club has secured the Olympic legacy funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund. The club’s groundbreaking Sailability work to train and enable people with disabilities to sail on Weston Water earned it a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service last year. It will use the money to make extensive alterations to its clubhouse so that it is even more accessible for disabled sailors. The club’s Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sailability co-ordinator, Peter Fox, said: “The award is fantastic news for the club. “We will be creating better disabled facilities and integrating them into the entire clubhouse. “We are already an RYA Sailability Centre of Excellence and we plan to build upon our 25 years of experience to make our sailing centre as inclusive as possible.” Otley's MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) added: "The award is great news for the inclusivity of the sport of sailing.”

Broadfield woman hoping to become first person from Crawley to sail around the world

A BUSINESSWOMAN from Broadfield who suffers with ME is hoping to become the first person from Crawley to sail around the world. Trudi Bubb is planning to cross 40,000 miles of water over 11 months, taking in destinations such as Rio and Cape Town and raising £20,000 for a Crawley charity in the process. She is fulfilling a dream of 15 years by taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and is supporting The Golden Lion Children's Trust, which helps disadvantaged young people and children with special needs. The 47-year-old said: "I attended the 40th anniversary of The Golden Lion Children's Trust last year. "They said they wanted to take 20 children to Lapland but couldn't afford it. I thought wouldn't it be fantastic to raise £20,000 to enable them to do it." Trudi, of Millais Close, used to work as a corporate consultant but had to leave her career behind because of illness. She explained: "It has been a dream of mine for 15 years but I couldn't do it back when I was in corporate life. Four-and-a-half years ago I had to leave the industry due to illness. "I always wanted to take part in the race, so when I lost my career I said, 'right, I have to pick myself up'." Despite suffering from ME, which causes constant fatigue, Trudi is ready to take on the challenge of sailing round the world. "Absolutely, it's a tough challenge," she admitted. "I have never done anything like it in my life. "Climbing 95-foot masts, going overboard, hoisting sails – I will be doing all the things I thought I'd never do." Trudi applied to take part in the race last year and went through a four-hour interview process. Having been accepted, she passed her "level one" sailing training at the end of March, which confirmed her place in the race. Trudi learnt basic sailing skills, in Gosport, Hampshire, such as what to do if she finds herself in the water. "The excitement of being told I had passed my training when more than 48 per cent of people fail was overwhelming, to say the least," she explained. Trudi, who now runs her own health and nutrition business, will complete two more levels of training in July and October and a fourth when she starts training with the rest of the crew. She has been training hard to build up her strength for the race, in which 14 72-foot racing yachts are crewed by amateurs with no sailing experience, but who have undergone training specifically for the race. She will join 600 crew members from all across the world when she leaves from London on September 1 next year. Trudi said: "I have been training at the K2 at Crawley three or four times a week, on my own. "I do weights, cardiovascular work, swimming; everything I believe it will take to physically get me on that boat." Trudi is only currently signed up to take part in four of the eight legs of the race. But she hopes that businesses and entrepreneurs in the area may be able to sponsor her to allow her to stay for the whole voyage, which is televised, with cameras on each boat, to an estimated audience of 60 million. When she returns, Trudi hopes to write up her experiences in a book called "Me". She said: "The race is the top of the sailing world. Those boats are on steroids. I will be living with people I have never met before. "I can't tell you how excited I am." Anyone wishing to make a donation towards Trudi's voyage should visit www.justgiving.com/Trudi-Bubb

Hutton Rudby man's dedication to making sailing open to disabled is rewarded

A SAILING Club member has been presented with an award for his work in helping people with disabilities experience sailing. John Tate, a member of Scaling Dam Sailing Club, was chosen from finalists across the UK who had been nominated for their time and expertise in enabling people with disabilities to master the art of sailing. The contest was organised by the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) Sailability initiative, an international organisation which supports people of all ages to learn sailing and encourages the participation of disabled sailors. Mr Tate, from Hutton Rudby, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, was presented with the award by members of Scaling Dam’s Sailability scheme, based at the reservoir on the A171 in North Yorkshire between Guisborough and Whitby. Scaling Dam has four purpose-built boats designed for disabled sailors, two Hansa Dinghies and two Challenger Trimarans. Its recently refurbished club house has also been fitted with disabled facilities, including hoists to allow wheelchair-users access the boats. A spokeswoman for the sailing club said: “Some of John’s students have progressed to racing in national championships for the disabled, bringing home a trophy. “A sight-impaired junior member has advanced to the RYA zones quad training, whilst others have become family or individual members and sail or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings most weekends. "John is often seen racing with a disabled person at the helm instead of racing in his own dinghy.” Scaling Dam Sailing Club will be hosting an open day on Sunday, April 27, from 10am. For more information visit; www.scalingdam.org

Top award for sailing star

Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club’s Annabel Cattermole has added to her considerable trophy haul by winning the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards. Along with her crew, Bryony Bennett-Lloyd, the 18-year-old won the 2013 420 Ladies World Championship in Valencia, their biggest achievement to date, and this week added the Eastern Region award at the first ever RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show. Cattermole said: “It’s such a privilege to be chosen as RYA Eastern Youth Champions and to have our name up there with other amazing young sailors. “To have our success recognised is the icing on the cake after all the hard training and effort we’ve put into the sport, so thank you RYA for selecting us.” Bennett-Lloyd, from Norwich, added: “It’s a real honour to receive the RYA Regional Youth Champion Award as recognition of the hard work we put in in order to achieve the progression and success that we did in the 420 fleet over the last year. “We’re also proud to represent the eastern region because here is where the journey began for us and it’s exciting to see who might be next.” Because of their sailing commitments the duo were unable to attend the awards ceremony at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show, where the awards were presented by the British Sailing Team’s Dylan Fletcher. He commented: “It’s really important to recognise people on every level and these youngsters are all so passionate about their sport and they all put in the extra effort.” All awards winners were selected by the RYA’s 13 regional committees. For more information visit www.rya.org.uk/go/youthchampion