Experience the sailing journey of a lifetime

THE world’s longest ocean race is calling on more local residents to take on the challenge of a lifetime and achieve something extraordinary in the next edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Next week, race organisers will host a talk in the city at the Cardiff Marriott on Monday, November 24, at 6:30pm alongside former race alumni from across Wales, including 38 year-old Project Manager, Owen Jones from Barry, who had no previous sailing experience before signing up for the adventure. Owen, who circumnavigated the globe and spent over 11 months at sea sailing across Mother Nature’s toughest oceans, is one of six Welshmen to have represented the country in the last edition of the race. Owen says: “It still leaves me with a surreal feeling when I think about what I have achieved. The race provided me with the opportunity to learn a new skill and fulfil a lifelong aspiration; testing me physically and mentally in the face of the enormity of nature. “The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was a great experience, enabling me to do what few have done before - less people have circumnavigated the globe, than have scaled Everest. There are some lovely places to sail off the coast of Wales, but I would encourage anybody who wants to see more and stretch themselves, to take a look at how far you can go, with fellow amateur crew and a professional skipper on the race. I am proud to say I undertook the challenge.” Those who want to find out more and attend the talk will be in with a chance of winning the opportunity to experience a taste of the race and will automatically be entered into a draw for a place on board the first of four levels of training required to take part in the race at a value of £1,085. Now in its 19th year, the Clipper Race, which was founded by legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world in 1968-69 is unique. It is the only event where people from all walks of life, regardless of previous sailing experience, can race around the world under sail. Each of the fleet of 12 yachts is sponsored by a city, region or country around the world and each of the teams is led by a professional skipper. In the 2013-14 edition, 670 crew, including 34 per cent women, from over 40 nationalities, took part in the race from countries as widespread as Russia, Serbia, Norway, Peru, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Kenya, Hungary, China and Singapore, in addition to the UK, forging cultural understanding and awareness to work together and build lifelong friendships. More than 230 different professions were represented, from nurses to GP’s, pilots to farmers, film directors to surfing instructors, head teachers to students, and the whole range of occupations in between. The Clipper Race is open to anyone over the age of 18 at the time the race starts, but there is no upper age limit. Clipper Race recruiter and circumnavigator in the 2009-10 race, Della Parsons says: “I can’t wait to get out there and meet more people that want to be part of this unique challenge and join the elite group of ocean racers. More and more people are looking for something different these days, something extraordinary that will really push their limits and test the boundaries of what they thought they were capable of. It’s my job to make them aware that it’s here.” More information about the race and how to RSVP to the event can be found on the Clipper Race website www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

New backing for inspirational war veterans sailing charity in Falmouth

An inspirational new sailing charity for war veterans and their families, which just six months ago was run from its founder’s front room in Cornwall, is celebrating gaining backing and support from major players including Help for Heroes, The Royal Air Force Association, The Prince’s Trust and Rustler Yachts. Turn to Starboard supports veterans from all services and conflicts back into civilian life through the therapeutic effects of ocean sailing and expert maritime training. Now CEO Shaun Pascoe, a retired squadron leader who himself led countless medical evacuations in Iraq and Afghanistan, has a strong volunteer team operating from their new HQ at Falmouth Marina backed by “significant” funding packages from Help for Heroes and RAFA. T2S has also been gifted a £60,000, 42ft yacht hull by Falmouth based Rustler, for which the “boat build” fund-raising project has begun to fit her out specifically for Turn to Starboard’s beneficiaries. Rustler’s Adrian Jones said: “We’d met Shaun a few times and were really impressed with his vision and the work he was already doing with war veterans who, for various reasons, were struggling to settle back into civilian life. “The hull we’ve given Turn to Starboard is just the start of an on-going project and we feel proud to be among the organisations big and small who have been able to help – especially in the early stages.” Further support has come from The Prince’s Trust in the form of a 92ft, half million pound pilot schooner, Spirit, acquired by T2S for the princely sum of £1, which will enable longer voyages for up to 14 military sail trainees.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston finishes third in his Route du Rhum class

HAMPSHIRE sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has achieved a podium finish in a gruelling transatlantic race – at the age of 75. The grandfather of five has completed the 3,542 nautical miles from St Malo in France to the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe in the prestigious Route du Rhum race. Knox-Johnston, who was the first person to sail single-handedly and non-stop around the planet in the 1960s, reached the finish earlier this evening. The race for top spot ended when Anne Caseneuve took that prize last week, but third represents a special achievement for Knox-Johnston, who admits the race has taken its toll. The founder of the Clipper Race told the routedurhum.com: “I will be back next time with a smaller boat. I am absolutely over the moon, ecstatic to get third. I was up against some really good competition in this class. "These last few days we have been racing very hard against each other and in the end there is no shame in being beaten by good people. And I was beaten by two very good people. I congratulate them. "My race was slow to start but got faster as I went along and it was great because I had three other boats in the same class who were close and we were all very equal, and so that made it great." "The hard bits were the first days and coming round the island at the end. "The competition was excellent, I loved watching to see how I was gaining or losing, that made it really fun. "The low point was the English Channel and last night was one to forget, it was pretty much pandemonium at times. I tore the reaching sail and had a Chinese gybe." "If I said in Saint Malo I felt 48 then perhaps tonight I feel 50 but no more!"

Tenby Sailing Club News

A stiff breeze that eased somewhat as the races wore on, together with choppy seas under a leaden sky, greeted the three intrepid crews that set forth on Sunday morning. Race officer Paul Evenden and rib driver Ieuan James set a triangular course with near perfect reaching angles (according to the RO!) for the two races run back to back. In the first race, the RS200 of Dan Jackson and Connor Keohane was first over the line and soon built a lead on the Osprey of Jaime Bohata; meanwhile Danny, in his Streaker, took a conservative starting approach, mooring up to the start mark for a few moments whilst he gauged the best route up the beat for his attack on the lead. The reaching angles meant that Dan and Connor in the asymetric boat, spinnaker up, soon built a commanding lead on the Osprey that chose not to fly their spinnaker. Danny was plugging away until a collision with a partially submerged floating object tore his rudder from its mountings and put paid to his chances. He was towed in by the safety rib with a little difficulty, due to some of his boat’s buoyancy tanks filling with water, through the holes left by the damaged rudder mountings. Whilst the towing operation went on and the sun came out, a second race was underway, once again won by Dan and Connor after a capsize caused by a tangled main sheet bridle put paid to Jaime’s chances. Winter Series Racing will continue until Boxing Day, weather permitting, with two races on Sunday mornings. Any dinghy sailors out there looking for some racing are welcome to attend. Membership taken out now will include all of next year, too, so the winter racing will effectively be free. Blues Night Saturday night’s Tenby Blues weekend performance of the five-piece band ‘Cottonmouth’ at the club was, once again, a roaring success, with the club crammed to capacity. Many thanks to the organisers, all who attended and especially Mr. Terry Evans and Mr. John Akrill for stepping into the breach and running the bar at the last minute, after Mike Stace was taken ill. Mike is now recovering and assures us he will back on the water and winning races again very soon. Forthcoming events Tonight (Friday) - Annual Prize-Giving Dinner at the Giltar Hotel, The Esplanade, Tenby, at 7 for 7.45 pm. Dinner, prize-giving and raffle, followed by a disco and bar until late. £26 per person. Dress code, black tie, lounge suit or Mess dress. Members have been emailed with full details. Tomorrow (Saturday) - Autumn International Rugby, Wales v New Zealand, kick-off 5.30 pm. Bar open from 5 pm. After that, moving seamlessly on to the club AGM beginning once the rugby is over. There are some vacancies on the committee and volunteers are sought to help in the running of the club. If any member out there would like to get involved please get in touch with any current committee member, and/or come to the AGM and speak up! Also, our membership secretary, Julia Dashfield, is relinquishing her post after many years service. Thanks Julia for all your work. That means we are looking for a replacement; get your application in quick! Junior Christmas Party - date to be confirmed. All juniors parents and helpers welcome. Club Christmas Party - December 20. Full details to follow. February 21 - Sailwave demonstration. One for the diary; there will be a demonstration of the Sailwave racing results software at the club on February 21; all welcome. Opening Hours The club is now open Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday lunchtime. Website The club’s website can be found at www.tenbysailingclub.org.uk and includes a Facebook link and details of activities and sponsors. New members welcome; sailors, aspirant sailors and non sailors. We are a members club run by volunteers who try to involve all members in a variety of activities, both sailing and social. To enquire about joining call at the clubhouse, contact any member who will be pleased to help, or contact us on-line.

Glenridding Sailing Centre launches new website

GLENRIDDING Sailing Centre has launched a new website with the aim of keeping in touch with boat owners and sailing students. The 35-page website now has greater emphasis on social media and includes a ‘Launchers Area’ for the 150 plus people who keep their boat at the Centre during the sailing season. The centre said this will create “a friendly online community for folks to keep in touch during the winter.”

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.”