Aspiring young sailors awarded own boats and boards

For the second year running, aspiring young sailors have been awarded their very own boats and windsurfers, donated by the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST), the official charity partner of the RYA OnBoard programme. The 13 youngsters were selected from over 70 applications after competing in the RYA Zone and Home Country Championships which took place at nine venues across the UK this September. 'This is the second year we’ve teamed up with the JMST to run this scheme which is aimed at helping ambitious young sailors to progress in the sport. These youngsters have all shown huge enthusiasm, talent and commitment to the sport despite some of them being fairly new to sailing. This year we will award six Toppers, three Optimists, three Bic Technos and one Laser' said RYA OnBoard Operations Officer, Cat Ferguson. The boats and boards that the JMST have donated will provide these sailors, who may not have ordinarily had the opportunity, to progress their skills with the highest quality equipment to continue to participate in sailing. Ten year old William who sails at North Lincs and Humberside Sailing Club was delighted when he found out he was being gifted the use of his own BIC Techno. 'I really love windsurfing but always have to borrow my club’s kit, often having to search for my own board and sail. I love being outdoors meeting new friends and improving my skills in windsurfing every time I go.' Finlay (11) was awarded his very own Topper with the scheme last year. He said: 'This opportunity has allowed me to learn and compete with the kind of equipment we couldn’t otherwise afford. My mum and dad have made friends with other parents on the traveller circuit and weekends have been a fun and busy time for all of us'. The JMST will donate more than 50 single-handed junior pathway boats and boards to promising sailors over five years. Each year at least one young sailor will be selected from each of the nine RYA Zones and Home Countries, to receive two years of exclusive use of the boat or board which has been donated by the Trust. After which the boats or boards will be donated to the sailor’s original club or training centre to benefit club training programmes and enable other young sailors to benefit in the future and progress into club, regional and national racing activities. Cat concludes: 'We’d like to thank Bishop Skinner who once again are supporting the partnership as the official RYA OnBoard JMST marine insurer. Thanks also go to Topper, Laser, Boardwise and IBI Sailing for helping us to make this possible.' Run by the RYA, OnBoard is a grass roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged eight to 18, through schools, youth groups and training centres. Over a ten year period OnBoard has introduced over 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants. JMST seeks to help young sailors and youth sailing organisations to achieve their goals and was set up in the memory of leading Olympic sailor and 1996 Olympic silver medallist John Merricks. Ian Walker, John’s former sailing partner, JMST Trustee, double Olympic silver medallist and skipper of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, commented, 'John Merricks did not come from a sailing family and learnt to sail at school. He was a fantastic sailor, but was as well known for his sense of fun as he was for his natural talent. Many people helped John on his way to achieving his Olympic Silver medal and the Trust set up in his name aims to support youth sailing at a grass roots level, hoping to encourage young sailors like these to follow in his footsteps.' Youngsters who have been selected for RYA OnBoard JMST awards are: • Manon Ellis, County Antrim Yacht Club, Co. Antrim • Abigail Cowley, Kielder Water Sailing Club, Northumberland • Philip Heywood, Coquet Shorebased Trust Windsurfing Club, Northumberland • William Russell, North Lincs and Humberside Sailing Club, North Lincolnshire • Molly Maciver, Clyde Windsurfing Club, Renfrewshire • Alistair Coombs, Loch Venacher Sailing Club, Perthshire • Dan Batty, Oxford and District Schools Sailing Association, Oxfordshire • James Smaggasgale, Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre, Middlesex • Kieran Andrews, St Mawes Sailing Club, Cornwall • Miles Ripley, Paignton sailing Club, Devon • Amelia Grant-Jones, Fishguard Bay Yacht Club, Pembrokeshire • Joshua Price, Solva Sailing Club, Dyfed • David Peaty, Worcestershire Schools Sailing and Canoe Association, Worcestershire

Rupert Holmes comments on Youth Initiatives at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week may be one of the world’s oldest regattas, but tradition does not hold back a large number of entries from some of the UK’s best young sailors. In 2014 these numbered more than 20 boats with their entire crews aged under 25, across a wide swath of both the dayboat classes in White Group and the bigger Black Group yachts. There were also further entries where the skipper was below 25, although other crew members may have been older. Both title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management and regatta organiser Cowes Week Limited are firmly behind supporting the youth element of the event and promoting it hard. “Quite simply, youth sailing is the future of the sport,” says Cowes Week Limited sales and marketing director Michelle Warner. “We’re right behind it, as are the yacht clubs, the classes and our official charity, Cowes-based UKSA, which is one of the UK’s foremost providers of sailing experiences to young people.” Richard Thornton, Chief Executive of UKSA, added: “At UKSA we use the power of the sea to make a change. From our main site in Cowes we have a wide reach, with over 9,000 young people a year benefiting from what we do, whether that’s encouraging an eight-year-old to get onto the water for the first time, to training the captain of a 3000gt superyacht, and everything in between.” “We used the money raised during this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week to give every Year 6 Island child a chance to try sailing with us, for free. We’re proud that we lead so many young people into sailing, help them develop their skills and ultimately become the world’s future yachtsmen and women.” Racing for young people Collectively, Cowes Week, title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management, UKSA and the clubs and classes involved with the event are doing everything they can to provide pathways for young people to progress from dinghy sailing, which is very well supported by the Royal Yachting Association, with local, regional and national coaching to a high standard. However, only a very small number of the sailors in these programmes will join the Olympic Squad, leaving other talented sailors to seek alternative pathways within the sport. Of course, historically for many people Cowes Week has been about sailing with younger members of their family, but enabling young people to move to sailing independently in a boat of their own is an important next step. For the last 3 years Aberdeen Asset Management has supported youth sailing by introducing the Under 25 initiative and hotly contested Under 25 Trophy. By fully funding the entry fee and providing kit for an agreed number of crews, they helped to increase the numbers taking part by almost 10 per cent each year. More recently, even local businesses have become involved in initiatives to support young sailors. For instance, this year East Cowes Marina offered the young crews taking part in Aberdeen’s Under 25 initiative a 50 per cent reduction in berthing costs during Cowes Week. Organisers are looking at other ways in which they can make the event more cost-effective for youth sailors who are at a time in their lives when funds aren’t so readily available. Individual classes and local clubs are also doing much to promote sailing among used generations. The Etchells fleet, in which three of the 15 Cowes Week entries in 2014 were crewed by young sailors, goes further than many classes in this respect. Since 2012 they have made two fully funded boats available for youth teams each season. In addition, with support from the RYA, the class has worked with a total of 90 young sailors, including some of the UK’s most promising used talent, over the past three years. Much of this has been made possible by generous funding by the Class Admiral, Edward S Fort OBE. “What we offer tends to follow on from when young people leave home, often to become a student,” says David Franks, captain of the Cowes fleet. “At this stage their parents are less likely to be supporting them in dinghy racing, but at the same time they don’t have spare money of their own to spend on sailing.” The scheme also brings benefits to the class that are not always obvious from the outside. “We have also solved two common problems through populating many of the other boats in the fleet with young sailors as crew,” Franks adds. “Firstly young people who are hungry for success and want to take part in a full programme of racing are looking for boats to sail on. At the same time, owners who want to sail at a high level often find the friends they might invite to race are either not at that level, or are not sufficiently committed. “What’s great with the youth sailors is that they are talented, are prepared to commit to a season’s programme, and will help to look after the boat as well. It solves all the crew problems that owners often have. As well as all being very good sailors, they are also people who, if they were your daughter or son, you would be really proud of them.” While the class has a more extensive offering for youth sailors than many, the Etchells is by no means the only class to offer strong support for young sailors. There are many other classes and yacht clubs that have established pathways into keelboat and yacht racing for their younger members. The Squib class for instance, had eight sailors under 25 sailing in its 31-strong fleet in Cowes Week 2014. The Royal Victoria Yacht Club, home of the Isle of Wight’s Squib fleet for example, has club-owned boats that have been available to young sailors with crews selected to sail during Cowes Week. Similarly the Royal Yacht Squadron and Royal Thames Yacht Club’s fleet of modified J/80s that are a regular sight in the Solent during the summer and Queen Mary SC during the winter, have been a valuable resource for younger members’ racing. In Sussex the Shoreham Youth Team was started to encourage young teenagers to work as a team on a racing keelboat. Since 2008 it has operated as a rolling 18-month project, with the outgoing teams taking on the winter training for the next budding keelboat sailors. The aim is to compete successfully in Cowes Week, where the team’s boat is a regular podium finisher in both the Sonar Class and for the Under 25 trophy. Increasingly sailing has to compete with other activities for people’s valuable and limited spare time. Enthusiastic and skilled young ambassadors for the sport is an important means to spread the word and foster greater participation among a used generation of sailors. Aberdeen Asset Management’s Under 25 initiative, together with the work of the UKSA and the yacht clubs and class associations, is therefore helping to provide the sailors of the future for both Cowes Week and other events. Entries for the 2015 regatta, 8 – 15 August, are now open via the event website.

Forgotten feat of courageous Scottish sea captain

THE forgotten heroics of a Scottish sea captain who risked his life to save 185 people from a stricken American troop ship have been retold in a new book. Robert Crighton from Port Glasgow came to the rescue of the SS San Francisco off Nova Scotia in 1853 after it was ravaged by a massive storm, then struck by cholera. He became an instant hero in the United States and was awarded the country’s highest honour, but was greeted with indifference on his return to Scotland. The drama included Crighton’s crew sending the morale-boosting message to the stricken ship: “Be of good cheer, we will not desert you.” The lines were later included in a poem about the rescue by Walt Whitman. Amateur genealogist Clare Abbott took five years to piece together Crighton’s exploits after one of his descendants told her what little he knew of the story. She hopes that Faithful of Days – The Story of Robert Crighton, Master Mariner – will lead to him finally winning recognition in his Inverclyde birthplace. Currently, there is no trace of him ever having lived there. Ms Abbott, a retired medical information researcher, who lives in Oxfordshire, said: “I just love uncovering stories. I could hardly believe that when Crighton returned to Scotland, no-one took any interest. “A blue plaque in his home town would be fitting, since King Street, where he was born, still exists.” Alan Boyd, Crighton’s great-great grandson, who told Ms Abbott about him when they met on a course, said: “I’m absolutely delighted by the book.” The Bath-based retired engineer said: “My great uncle wrote something about him in the 1960s, but the sad thing is he seems to have been lost in the mists of time. “My grandmother was his last surviving relative in Scotland.” In a preface to the book, Mr Boyd wrote: “I am immensely proud to be his descendant and grateful that such a skilled researcher has chosen to apply her talents to leading him out into the sunshine again.” Crighton was master of the New York-bound clipper Three Bells when he came to the aid of the SS San Francisco during a ten-day storm. The heavily overloaded vessel, which was taking a US army regiment from New York to California via Cape Horn to keep order during the gold rush, ran into a massive storm. A huge wave swept away some 140 of those on board along with all the lifeboats and spare sails. Another ship rescued around 100 more before the storm forced the two vessels apart. Despite being badly damaged itself by the storm, Crighton kept the Three Bells alongside for four days, waiting for the weather to improve. He was forced to jettison most of the Three Bells’ cargo and food, while the ship had also lost most of its sails. Crighton was finally able to save all the remaining survivors after another ship arrived to assist. Ms Abbott wrote: “The essence of Robert’s heroism was not only that he stayed beside the San Francisco for four days when he might have been sailing towards safety, but that he did so even though the chances of success were not very high.” After landing the survivors in New York to a hero’s welcome, he was presented with the freedom of the city. More than 12 years later, he was awarded the Congressional Medal, the US’s most distinguished civil award and one of only a few presented to foreigners. It was engraved: “Testimonial of national gratitude for his gallant conduct. Capt Robert Crighton, ship Three Bells.” Crighton was also awarded $7,500 but is not clear whether the ship’s owners took the money.

British entry confirmed for 2015/16 Clipper race

GREAT Britain, the British government's international marketing and promotional enterprise, will compete in the next edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, after a successful debut this year. As with the 2013/14 event, GREAT Britain will offer partnership opportunities, available for UK£250,000 each, to six British companies, with the opportunity set to be officially launched in January. The GREAT Britain boat will compete in the next edition of the Clipper race, which is scheduled to begin in August next year. The 2013/14 race began and finished in London and took in stops in Brazil, South Africa, Australia, China and the USA. The event allows ordinary members of the public to train and compete in the event. “We’re delighted that ‘GREAT Britain’ will once again compete in this iconic sporting event,” said Conrad Bird, director of the GREAT Britain campaign. “We will build on the success of our 2013/14 involvement to develop an innovative trade and tourism partnership with Clipper Ventures that delivers jobs and growth for Britain." Bird added: “The GREAT Britain campaign is a unique platform from which to promote British technology, innovation, manufacturing, creativity, adventure and hospitality in key markets around the world. “I’d encourage British companies to seize the opportunity to get involved and join this GREAT partnership.” Clipper figures indicate that the GREAT Britain entry in the 2013/14 race generated a PR value in excess of UK£75 million during the 40,000-mile event.

Learning new skills is just plain sailing for youngsters

SCHOOL sports such as football, rugby, netball and athletics have always been popular with pupils – but students at St James' School in Grimsby have now added sailing to the list. Groups from the Bargate school have been travelling to Covenham Reservoir, near Louth, for extra curricular fun on the water, thanks to the vision of teacher Mike Casey. Advertisement The boys' housemaster, who has a rich sailing background himself, arranged for pupils to take part in the activity having established links with the Covenham Sailing Club. Mr Casey said: "It's become more and more popular. We have around 35 different children sailing at some point during the week. "I contacted the club and said that I had some kids and wanted to take them sailing. "Some of the pupils were a bit nervous when they started but as the weeks go by they have been getting better and better. "A lot of the pupils are doing really well and it would be my hope that some of them go on to represent the county team, then zone squads, before trying out for the national setup." As well as developing their core strength, the students get a real sense of community by sailing, with many sailing clubs throughout the country being very warm and friendly – according to Mr Casey. When the Grimsby Telegraph paid the young sailors a visit, they were sailing in pairs and many will be preparing for a two-day national sailing regatta, which St James is planning to host next year. There will be a champion field and a regatta field available to competitors. Letters have gone out to over 300 schools and enquiries have already come back from as far away as Northampton and Essex. Headmaster John Price said: "It's fantastic to be hosting a national schools event and another great opportunity for the pupils at St James to develop their confidence. "That's what we want to do, discover talent and give these kids the best chance in life." Sally Mossop, from Marshchapel, is mother to Matilda and she thinks the fact students are able to take up sailing is a "fab opportunity". She said: "All the pupils get on so well, so it's great that they can all sail with their friends. "They've been out on the water – even in high winds. It's brilliant. It's a great challenge for them and they need to work together and, as far I can tell, they've really enjoyed it. "We've done a bit of sailing as a family on holiday but nothing as demanding as this, so we're really grateful that they all have this chance." Daughter Matilda, 10, loves coursing through the water at speed. She said: "I find it really weird because you never know where the wind will be going but it is a lot of fun and I like to go fast." Orianne Dubedat, 10, has also been getting to grips with life on the reservoir. "I'm really enjoying it," she said. "It's great when you go quite fast but when you actually capsize, that's fun as well. "When the sail falls off it can be a bit scary but, as long as you stay calm, you'll be fine." Capping, as capsizing is referred to as, can also be a bit "scary" according to Millie Jennings. The 10-year-old said: "Most weeks the water is fine and sailing is a lot of fun. "I have sailed now with different friends each week and it's important that you work as a team. "I have enjoyed it so much that I would do sailing outside of school." Andrew Morgan, 10, is a thrill-seeker who likes going at high speeds. He said: "Going fast is probably the best bit. If you do cap the sailing boat then sorting yourself out can be a bit tricky, but we've had lots of briefings so we know what to do." Harvey Harris, 10, said he liked surprising his partner with how rapidly he can gather pace but that it was "fun working with other people". He said: "I like it a lot more than football and I currently swim five times a week. Sailing is probably my new favourite." Euan Lynch, 11, has been joined on the water by his father Paul who is a school governor. Euan said: "I find it really fun and I feel I have progressed a lot. I'm a lot more confident than I was so hopefully I can keep improving." Dad Paul said: "Prior to this sequence of lessons, I had only been sailing once. "I came to have a look at the reservoir with Mike and he asked me to help – that was it really. "It's a really good environment for them to learn in and already it seems really popular at the school. "It builds confidence and gets them working as a team. If you do not do things together you'll end up in the water. "It's great for their self-discipline as they have to listen to all the necessary guidance."

Boost in family sailing at Seasalter after £50k grant

The club, based in Faversham Road, built a new boat access ramp over the seawall after its members received a £50,000 grant from the Sports England's Inspired Facilities fund in 2012. Since the unveiling of the access ramp in September last year, Seasalter Sailing Club has seen an increase in new memberships and in the number of families taking part in sailing. Club Vice Commodore, Ian Mills, said: “The original ramp had been in place for 60 years, it was unsightly and unattractive with only the most committed sailors prepared to lug their boats to and from the water every weekend, which was nigh-on impossible to do alone for many of the boats. “Now it is quick and easy to launch a boat, meaning people are much more prepared to do it more regularly. The hassle and physical exertion has been dramatically reduced. “The new ramp also means the beach around the club is being used more by families as members of the public are able to use it for pushchair and wheelchair access to the beach.” The sailing club now plans to build on this success by providing more varied low cost opportunities for local people to get into sailing at Seasalter throughout 2015. It is also looking to invest in two new boats, one of which will be a dinghy that is suitable for families as well as beginner and intermediate sailors. Sam Rowe, the Royal Yachting Association’s Sailing Development Officer for Kent, said: “It makes great headlines when a club gets a big funding award, but this is why these awards do make such a difference to local communities. “We may be closer now to Rio 2016 than London 2012 but projects like this are the enduring legacy of those home Games.”

Sailing - Full speed ahead for Patience and Willis on Road to Rio 2016

Patience won silver alongside Stuart Bithell in the 470 men's class at London 2012 but admits he is determined to go one better next time out. But it has been a disjointed few years since London for the 28-year-old after Bithell moved to the 49er class before new partner Joe Glanfield retired. Patience is now six months into his new partnership with Elliot Willis and gold at the 470 European Championships this summer suggests they are right on course. However, the pair failed to medal at the World Sailing Championships in September and, while Patience admits it was a disappointing result, he is keen to put it into context. "I think when we look back at the season we have to be happy even though some of the results weren't exactly what we wanted," he said. "We were always in the medal races and we have only been together for a short amount of time so I think we are doing well. "The Olympics fuels the fire inside me and I think of it as going to take care of unfinished business. We have had a good season but there is no way that we are going to be resting on our laurels now. "We were disappointed with the result at the World Championships but we have to put that into context of how long we have been together. "It's not been easy and we have had to work really hard but we have got good chemistry on the boat and a huge amount of respect for each other and I think that makes a big difference." Patience recently took time out of his busy training schedule to recognise the efforts of youngsters taking part in the Get Set to Make a Change programme, a scheme that saw youngsters keep the spirit of London 2012 alive. But he admits any break is always a short one and the hard work is about to start all over again. "There's a break now and we'll do some work off the boat but we'll be off to Rio in December and will be working again and pushing hard to get to our best," Patience added. "We're right on course for Rio and at the moment it is just really romping up and getting serious now. "The Olympics are everyone's big goal and it's no different for us so we will be 100% focused improving and the signs are really positive for us so far. "I think our performances so far have been a really good sign and these few months have been an invaluable experience."

Mylor Sailability gets £50,000 funding boost

A CHARITY which gives sailing lessons to disabled people has been given more than £50,000 funding to create a new base. Mylor Sailability received £48,270 from Sport England's National Lottery-backed Inspired Facilities and £3,000 from Mylor Yacht Harbour to be used for their Let's Get Going project. The scheme is looking to bring a new home for the charity based in the harbour with classrooms, changing facilities, social area and specially designed pontoon to help wheelchair users or severely disabled sailors get on the boat. Work is set to begin on the plans over the winter and charity founder Tracey Boyne said the funding they have received provides a real boost for them. Boyne said: “At the moment we cannot run day time sessions in the summer due to lack of capacity with the commercial school. “The new classroom and social area will come complete with a sophisticated projector and hearing loop system to enable us to deliver the shore-based sessions to all participants working through the RYA scheme to help achieve certification. “The extra pontoon section will fit 90 degrees onto the end of our existing pontoon and this will make launching and landing so much easier.”

Sailing legend Sir Robin avoids Route de Rhun race drama which has seen 11 sailors withdraw in first two days

SIR Robin Knox Johnston has reported he is “fine, absolutely fine” after a dramatic first few days of racing in the Route de Rhum saw 11 competitors withdraw. Thomas Coville was forced to retire last night after a collision with cargo ship. Others have withdrawn from the race, which started off St Malo in France last Sunday, due to dismasting, broken rudders, shredded mainsails, lost keels, technical problems and personal injuries. But Hampshire legend Sir Robin, at 75 easily the eldest competitor in the race which finishes in Guadaloupe, has so far avoided all those issues – with a stomach upset his main worry. “I have seen gusts to 35 knots and am about 37 miles from Ushant,” Sir Robin reported. “The first night I did see a 40 knot gust at one stage but I was ready for it. “I got the third reef in and the storm jib up. “We were alright. I am fine, absolutely fine, just looking forwards to getting past Ushant and get away. “I always think you start racing at Finisterre but the main objective just now is just to get around Ushant. “I am eating properly now after my stomach upset, so I am all good.” Knox-Johnston’s Grey Power was this morning up to 12th in the class.

Brave Nottingham couple get ready to set sail through the Arctic

MARRIED couple Dave and Marie Ungless are preparing to brave freezing conditions as they take on an Arctic sailing challenge. The fearless duo have travelled the world on their trusty sailing boat but their latest adventure will see them crossing dangerous icy waters. Dave, 59, and Marie, 46, from Sherwood, will be moving to Alaska in two weeks’ time before setting sail around June next year. They will be heading north from Alaska through the Arctic Ocean and the Aleutian Islands, before voyaging to Greenland and Iceland. They will then begin the long journey home to the UK. Mr Ungless is a freelance travel writer and contributes to publications in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. He said that because of the harsh winter conditions the couple must acclimatise in Alaska before beginning their adventure. He said: “Normally, the journey can be done in one season, which is about two months. We’re not the first to have tried it and a number of other boats have attempted but failed. “The route wasn’t even possible a few years ago but because of global warming the passage is now open.” The pair married in 2011 after meeting at Dave’s former marketing business in the Lace Market, named Perspektiv Limited, which he sold in 2012. Both keen sailors, they have been travelling around the globe together since 2005 to remote locations including Sudan, Yemen and Indonesia as well as sailing this year to Tahiti, Hawaii and British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada, and now Alaska. They travel in their trusty sailing boat called Sänna, which has been adapted to include solar panels, a wind generator and a watermaker. Mr Ungless said: “We’ve been all over the world, it would be difficult to pick a favourite. British Columbia was really good. “I’ve been sailing most of my life. I lived in Scandinavia, Finland and Sweden for a while and I’ve sailed around the north west coast of Scotland. “I also do a lot of climbing and Alpine trekking. I’ve always lived an outdoors life.” First mate and wife Marie also loves the outdoors and has travelled nearly 30,000 miles over a number of the world’s oceans. Mrs Ungless said she always looks forward to every journey that the couple take. She said: “Everything we go on is interesting and an adventure. I have to admit, though, I do prefer the warmer climates! “I’ve always done a bit of sailing and spent a lot of time on the water, but Dave has taken it to a new level. “I think we’ve always fancied going to Alaska and it’s always just been one big journey, so it was like the next step and we love a challenge.”

Yacht and sailing survey underway

The RNLI Yacht Sailing Safety survey is currently underway and will run until November 9th. It is hoped the research will help improve sailing safety in the UK by providing the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) with a better understanding of yacht sailors in the UK - their participation, motivations and their experience of safety issues. This will provide valuable information so that safety messages and work undertaken by the RNLI, RYA (Royal Yachting Association) and MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) are targeted and relevant. Pip Hare, RNLI Coastal Safety Manager explains the reasoning behind the research project: “The RNLI exists to save lives at sea – a large part of that role is trying to prevent incidents from happening in the first place by providing important safety information. “RNLI incident data shows our lifeboat crews have rescued almost 9,850 yacht sailors in the last five years. “We’re always pleased to see people enjoying their leisure time at the coast and we want to help ensure they can take part in their chosen activity safely. “The aim of this research is to help us understand why people get involved and how they behave when they are on the water so we can provide the most relevant and useful safety information to them. “We’re working with the RYA and MCA to join expertise in coastal safety with experience of the sport. Once we have the results of the research, we will work together to develop the most suitable safety programmes and advice.

Wallasey Yacht Club awarded £73,000 of funding from Sport England

Wallasey Yacht Club is among 148 local sports projects to secure a share of £10 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. Wallasey Yacht Club will receive £73,012 of National Lottery funding to enlarge and upgrade its facilities at Hope Street, New Brighton. This will enable it to offer the chance to a greater range of people to experience the sport of sailing on the lake and river at New Brighton. The improvements include increasing boat storage on recently acquired land adjacent to the club, upgrading existing workshops and changing facilities and the addition of a disabled changing room. This is the first of two planned phases for the club to improve facilities, with an emphasis on accessibility. 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 £94 million into more than 1,800 projects to improve and refurbish sports clubs and transform non-sporting venues into vibrant community sports clubs. “It’s great to see Wallasey Yacht Club join the long list of successful clubs to benefit from this fund.” Club President, Peter Shillinglaw, said: “We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can upgrade the quality of our premises to match our planned programme of attracting new members, young and old by offering the training and experience required to appreciate the sport.” Local MP, Angela Eagle, said: “The club has a proud history stretching back to 1903, and has contributed much to the local community during my time as an MP. This grant will now enable the club to continue to flourish, by allowing extra storage for their expanding membership fleet, especially boats for the junior section and to improve facilities for disabled members.” Many more communities are set to benefit from the hugely popular fund with the latest round of the Inspired Facilities now open. Community and voluntary organisations, councils and schools can bid for a share of £20 million to help upgrade facilities that can be unattractive, expensive to run and difficult to maintain, and to convert existing non-sporting buildings into venues that are suitable for grassroots sport. To find out more and bid, visit www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities .

Islington Boat Club have the wind in their sails

Islington Boat Club, the only water based activity centre in the borough, launched a fleet of 11 new sailing boats last Thursday. The boats, costing a total of £15,000 were gifted to the club by development company Mount Anvil, the group behind ‘The Eagle’, a luxury apartment block currently under construction on City Road overlooking the basin used by the club. Amanda Corcoran, Islington Boat Club’s Development Officer said: “Without Kevin, from Mount Anvil, who gave us the money to purchase the sailing boats this wouldn’t have been able to happen.” The boats will add a new activity to the long list already offered by the club which includes kayaking, canoeing, power boating and bell boating. Islington Boat Club, with the Mount Anvil development looming overhead Islington Boat Club, with Mount Anvil’s ‘The Eagle’ tower looming overhead Young people from The area can also take part in art and self-defence classes off the water. Teresa Debono, the Mayor of Islington, cut the ribbon to officially open the event and launch the fleet. After officially launching she said: “I’m very pleased that I’ve had the opportunity tonight to celebrate the fantastic work that is being done here and I know you are all very, very enthusiastic. “I hope you can continue for many, many, Many years to come.” Kevin Payne, a Project Director at Mount Anvil, said: “When I’m standing up on the 36th floor of Lexicon, looking out over the City Road Basin, it’s amazing to see so many young people out sailing.”