The World Sailing Show - April 2019

Dinghy Sailing - Crew Talk - with Olympic Gold Medallist Saskia Clark an...

Community Sailing Comes To Heart Of City With Launch Of Sail Birmingham

Getting active outdoors is proven to positively impact health and mental wellbeing and an ambitious new community sailing project at Edgbaston Reservoir is breaking down barriers so anyone in Birmingham and the surrounding areas can get active afloat. Sail Birmingham, launched by Midland Sailing Club, is putting community sailing at the heart of the city by making the water accessible to everyone of any age, background and ability. By opening up a new programme of tailor-made and open-access activities for all, Sail Birmingham means even people who might never have thought they could get on the water can now enjoy all the wellbeing benefits of being active outdoors. Ladywood MP, Shabana Mahmood, is amongst those to have welcomed the initiative, while Cllr Albert Bore, Birmingham City Council, Ladywood Ward, described the green and peaceful Edgbaston Reservoir location as "a hidden gem at the heart of Birmingham.” Keith Wraight, Sail Birmingham Manager, explains: “There are perceptions of sailing that stops some people even thinking about it as something they could do, it isn’t even on their radars. But Sail Birmingham is about showing everyone that actually sailing is open to them and it can have a hugely positive impact on their lives. "Sailing is a low impact activity that can be enjoyed by all the family and it’s great for meeting people and making new friends. By learning new skills people get a sense of challenge and achievement. "Meanwhile sailing is also proven to help young people develop key life skills that can positively shape their futures and even create new career opportunities. On the water everyone is equal and spending time outdoors is an integral part of everyone’s wellbeing.” Four OnBoard sailors hold their RYA Youth Sailing Scheme books at Midland SCAmongst the wide-ranging opportunities Sail Birmingham is offering are Silver Sailing for people who want to stay active into retirement, Sailability for disabled people, Women on the Water, RYA OnBoard for schools and youth organisations, and holiday schemes where young people can learn to sail and progress through a structured scheme. In addition, current sailors can just turn up to 'Pay and Play’ and after-work and other group sessions are open for schools, charities and other organisations to book. The club also continues to run its popular learn to sail courses and taster sessions. Sail Birmingham is the result of partnerships between Midland SC and sailing’s governing body, the RYA, RYA Sailability - the national programme enabling disabled people to go sailing - the Canal and River Trust and Birmingham City Council. Midland SC was established in 1894 and has a long history at Edgbaston Reservoir. Last year the club taught 83 new adults and young people to sail, but an increasing demand for people wishing to get afloat led to Sail Birmingham’s creation. Visit www.sailbirmingham.com for more information or like Sail Birmingham on Facebook. WHAT THEY SAID: Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood at Midland SCShabana Mahmood: "I congratulate Midland SC for launching Sail Birmingham. I know how committed they are to introducing people to sailing and particularly passionate about training young people. "Their vision of a wide range of leisure sailing opportunities and a comprehensive training programme alongside school holiday activities will give lots of people, young and old, the opportunity to enjoy sailing in a welcoming and friendly environment.” Cllr Sharon Thompson, Birmingham City Council, North Edgbaston Ward and Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods: “It’s great to see our parks and reservoirs being used by local sports clubs and making the most of the wonderful resources we have in Birmingham. It’s fantastic to see the boats out on Edgbaston Reservoir and I hope lots of local residents take the opportunity to Sail Birmingham.” Adnan Saif, West Midlands Regional Director for the Canal and River Trust: “The Canal and River Trust is delighted with the new initiative of Sail Birmingham at Edgbaston Reservoir. One of our key aims is to encourage more people to make use of canals and reservoirs across the region and Sail Birmingham will help achieve this.” Gareth Brookes, RYA Regional Development Officer: "I am really excited we have a new sailing centre in the heart of Birmingham to enable more people to try and start sailing. The ethos of Sail Birmingham - to encourage and enable people from all backgrounds and abilities to try sailing - is one that I support wholeheartedly. This new centre has already started to work with us on Sailability and we have plans to get more people with a disability afloat."

History of the Moth Class with Sailing Historian David Henshall - RYA Di...

Big celebrations planned for 50th anniversary of Whitefriars Sailing Club

Whitefriars Sailing Club is planning a regatta event of a scale beyond anything it’s ever done before – to celebrate its 50th anniversary in June this year – and it’s inviting past members to join in. The club prides itself on inclusivity, fully integrating its hugely successful RYA Sailability group and, recently, becoming an RYA OnBoard club – ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy sailing there. It plans to bring together older members, families, juniors, and past members in the weekend anniversary event, as vice commodore Dave Buffham explains: “We’re expecting to have about 200 people on-site over the weekend – current members of all ages, and past members. We’re inviting back people who have benefited from the club in some way and gone on to better things, including the people who participated in the Invictus Games sailing training and pre-selection event Sailability@Whitefriars was privileged to host here last March.” The Saturday will be all about team sailing across all ages and abilities throughout the club, with just about every class of boat. Bringing older members together with the kids and everyone in-between, there will be a four-hour team race, with at least eight classes of boat in each team. The day will end with a sail past, and then social, prizes and afternoon tea before a big party with live music in the evening. “On the Sunday, the club will run a 50th anniversary one-off trophy race for the Whitefriars 50th Cup. It will be highly competitive, prestigious and I’m sure closely fought – and like all the activities of the weekend, it will be fully inclusive,” Dave adds. Plus, there will be games and watersports for the children: “We’ve invented lots over the years. Oppie water polo is the best game EVER – it involves everybody soaking wet in the lake!” All past members are being invited to join in the fun – please contact dave.buffham@hotmail.co.uk if you’d like to be involved.

Sailing the Speedbreeder 9th Feb 2019

A chance to go on board a tall sailing ship

A Polish tall sailing ship will be arriving in London at the weekend, and they are letting the public on board for a look around. The sailing ship “Dar Młodzieży” (The Gift of the Youth) is currently sailing around the world to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining independence, and will be in London for three days. She is due to arrive and moor in the Thames near to the Greenwich Pier, just after midnight on Sunday, 17 March. London is the last stop of the “Independence Cruise” of the Dar Mlodziezy. During its 10-month journey, the ship visited the largest ports around the world, including Copenhagen, Bordeaux, Dakar, Cape Town, Jakarta, Singapore, Osaka and Los Angeles. Almost 1,000 young sailors took part in the expedition. While in London, the ship will be open to visitors on the following days: Sunday, 17 March, 13.00-18.00 Monday, 18 March, 14.00-17.00 Tuesday, 19 March, 16.00-18.00 Transport will be provided to the ship (boats will run every 20 minutes from the waterbus stop at King William Walk, Greenwich – just by the Cutty Sark in the town centre. Dar Mlodziezy will end its world wide cruise back home in Gdynia on 28 March.

jumbles sailing club

Wayfarer Top Tips - Reefing the Mainsail

Rutland Sailability sails its way to top prize

Rutland Sailability, based at Rutland Water, scooped the Royal Yachting Association Sailability team of the year at a glittering awards ceremony at Wyboston Lakes in Bedfordshire. Jonathan Schofield, chief instructor of Rutland Sailability, said: “Receiving the Royal Yachting Association Sailability team of the year puts the icing on the cake, acknowledging the efforts of all who have helped to create the many teams within the whole Rutland Sailability team that drives the overall sailing experience. “We have continued to grow from a small nucleus of people to a much larger organisation over the years, leading to the need for structural change. “Successful teams in large organisations don’t just happen, they are the result of hard work and dedication over an extended period of time.” Last year Rutland Sailability sent three sailors, Val Milward, Diane Faulks and Pat Crowley to the Hansa class world championships in Japan, as well as hosting the multiclass regatta for the 11th year running and acting as a training base for the British Invictus Games sailors. Millie Moody, a deafblind sailor, said: “Being deafblind means there are often huge barriers to learning new skills. “Fortunately, none of the volunteers saw my disabilities as a barrier and they all adapted their teaching methods around me for which I am extremely grateful.”

Sussex Sailability urgently seeks more volunteer sailors

Sussex Sailability needs to recruit up to 12 volunteers who can help the charity at least one day per month. They would enable disabled sailors to learn and enjoy the sport, in a safe and controlled environment, on the charity’s specially adapted boats. Declan Rock and Chris Hodge on board one of Sussex Sailability's boats Kevin Headon of Sussex Sailability said: “There is nothing like feeling the freedom of the water, it is a life-changing experience for our sailors, some of whom have had very little experience of sailing when they join us. “At the moment we cannot provide enough sessions for all our sailors, because we just do not have enough volunteers. So, if you can sail and have a little spare time then we would really welcome your help.” The charity is seeking experienced skippers, especially small keelboat or dingy sailors, but also those with a background in sailing who are willing to learn. Additionally, the group needs safety boat qualified volunteers, ideally with a Royal Yachting Association Safety Boat qualification or people with a PB2 licence who would like to work towards a Safety Boat qualification. Kevin added: “Volunteering is incredibly rewarding, especially when you see the positive difference that you are making to someone’s life. “We provide all the training that is needed and free or highly subsidised nationally recognised qualifications.” Chris Hodge, chairman of Sussex Sailability, has been sailing since he was paralysed in a sporting accident 16 years ago. He said: “I love that sailing has given me the opportunities for adventure and competition that I enjoyed before my accident. Sussex Sailability’s fleet of boats, which are adapted for use by disabled people, allow me to get out on the water and to take part in races alongside able-bodied people. “Volunteers are an important part of Sussex Sailability; helping to keep the boats in good condition, getting them ready to go sailing and allowing disabled sailors to learn, improve their skills and get the most from their sailing. This enables Sussex Sailability to make sailing one of the few sports that is totally inclusive for disabled people.” Sussex Sailability is based at Shoreham’s Sussex Yacht Club, which is soon to begin work on building a new clubhouse and facilities that have been specifically designed to be easily accessible to sailors with disabilities. To find out more about volunteering for Sussex Sailability email Kevin at sussexsailability@gmail.com for details.

Working in the Marine Industry - Careers on Professional Sailing Yachts ...

Visually impaired sailors welcomed to Hollingworth Lake,

Visually impaired sailors were welcomed to Hollingworth Lake on Saturday (23 February). They, with volunteer coaches and helpers from all over the country, came for another weekend of training where they were welcomed by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mohammed Zaman. The glorious weather on Saturday provided ideal conditions for practising racing starts. Sunday’s lighter winds from the south east were suitable for short races. The blind sailors took the helm of the dinghy, with a sighted crew. Staff from the Water Activity Centre and local sailing club members welcomed the visitors and played an active part in the sessions.