FAMILY DINGHY ADVENTURES

Water great shot! Cricketers battle it out in the middle of the Solent as the annual grudge match between two sailing clubs takes place during the early morning's low-tide

With recent successes on the field at Headingley by Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer giving England another chance at the Ashes, the British love affair with cricket has been reignited once more. So much so that batsmen and bowlers took to the sodden sandbank of the Solent, a patch of land between Southampton and the Isle of Wight only accessible at low tide, to play in a much more relaxed home game. Organised by the Royal Southern Yacht Club (RSYC) and their friendly rivals the Island Sailing Club (ISC) the two teams faced off in the early hours of the cold morning to make a splash. Despite what might appear to be a fierce competition, the match's winner is predetermined in the interest of the love of the game and escaping the rising tide.

RS 200 Nationals 2019

It's back - The Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge 2019-20

Once again university sailing clubs up and down the country are being urged to take action and make their sailing more environmentally sustainable in the hope of being crowned winners of The Green Blue’s University Sailing Sustainability Challenge. Now in its fifth year the challenge gets underway on 01 September 2019 and runs until February 2020, with the winners being announced at a prize giving ceremony held at the RYA Dinghy Show in London in March 2020. “When we launched the challenge in 2015 we were absolutely delighted with the response we received from Universities across the country”, commented Kate Fortnam, The Green Blue Campaign Manager. “With sustainability and environmental issues such hot topics at the moment we’re hoping that even more universities will get involved with this year.” Supported by British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA), the challenge involves University Sailing Clubs working closely with their sailing venues to achieve sustainable actions throughout the academic year. From ensuring sailing venues have a spill kit available to clean up any accidental oil and fuel spills, to using re-usable sports bottles during training sessions and events to reduce waste and single use plastic. Taking part “The format to the competition has changed slightly this year”, explained Kate. “In year one, clubs new to the challenge work towards the Bronze Award, with a set criteria of sustainable actions to be undertaken and evidenced through photographs, social media posts or documentation. In the second year of competition the clubs work towards the Silver Award and the Gold Award in the third year, with additional criteria being set for each level of award.” Each club appoints a Sustainability Officer who acts as The Green Blue’s main point of contact throughout the challenge and is the key driver in leading their club to success. “Last year we had students studying a variety of disciplines including engineering, law, geography, science and marine related degrees keen to take up the position due to their passion for protecting their sailing environment, build on their skills and knowledge and add their involvement with The Green Blue, a national sustainable boating programme, to their CV”, commented Kate. By undertaking these positive sustainable actions clubs will have the opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the boating community how achievable and rewarding sustainable boating can be. Last year’s challenge was won by Newcastle University Sailing and Yachting Club. Swansea University Sailing Club clinched second place and in joint 3rd place were Dundee University Sailing Club, the University of Sussex Sailing Club and the University of East Anglia Sailing Club. For more information or if you and your university sailing club want to be involved in the 2019-20 challenge, contact info@thegreenblue.org.uk or call 023 8060 4227. You will then be provided with details of the criteria requirements for your relevant award. Cheer on the University Sailing Clubs through the 2019-20 sustainability challenge by following @thegreenblue on Twitter and Facebook. The Green Blue is the joint environment initiative created by British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association to encourage a more sustainable recreational boating sector. To find out more about The Green Blue visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk

We Get to be a CANAL BOAT With Our MAST STILL UP! l Sailing Scottish Hig...

Sailing: Windy conditions at the Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club

When the wind conditions at the Lake are tricky, it is usually Martin Brennan in a Solo that wins. On Sunday (25 August), the wind was forecast to be from the east-south-east, roughly from Rakewood. For the first race, Brennan got away at the start in a light southerly air and never lost the lead as, after passing the café point, the wind came from the new direction. David Hughes sailing a Mirror singlehanded came in second ahead of Graham Booth, also Solo, in third place. As the wind settled from the southerly direction, David and Elaine Jones (in Richard Marsh’s RS200) showed the way to lead but Brennan took the win again on handicap, with the Jones in runner-up spot. Adam Din, in a Laser, sailed steadily for third place ahead of Colin Knott and Richard Long (GP14) consistent in fourth. The wind filled in more strongly for the final race. Richard and Heather Marsh were back in control in their RS200 and gained the lead to the finish. Behind them there was a battle between Brennan and Andy and Elmarie Carter in a GP14. Despite many attempts to pass, Brennan held off the challenge and finished second, ahead of the Carters in third place, with Adam Din in fourth place.

More Spalding area families to get onboard as Welland Yacht Club gets national recognition

More families now have the chance to discover sailing as Welland Yacht Club has been awarded the national RYA OnBoard seal of approval. OnBoard is the grassroots programme, run by sailing’s national governing body, the RYA, which introduces sailing to young people aged eight to 18. The low cost OnBoard sessions, open to schools, youth groups and youth training organisations, promote equal access to sailing for young people from all social and economic backgrounds, whilst encouraging character development. Sailing is a brilliant activity for families to do together or as individuals, and by encouraging more new youngsters on to the water through OnBoard, Welland YC will be giving mums, dads, brothers and sisters the chance to get afloat and give sailing a go too. Andy Prior, Welland YC sailing instructor, said: "Sailing is ideally suited to family participation. Most importantly it’s a huge amount of fun and provides a welcome break from day-to-day life. It’s also something the whole family can do at the same time in the same boat, or separately, sailing on their own. Families are often so busy taking the kids to do different activities that they don’t get time all together. Sailing solves that issue. “Over the past year the club has worked hard to be in a position where we can support more people in getting on the water, both by adding boats that people can use for learning to sail or to hire at low cost, and training more instructors to teach them. “For youngsters in particular, sailing is a chance to take part in a sport or have a hobby where they don’t have to feel competitive pressure. They can choose to join in with races if they want to, but everyone can progress at the own pace and just take whatever they want from their sailing experience." In 2017, a landmark project between the RYA and Professor Bill Lucas, Professor of Learning at the University of Winchester, identified how sailing builds character and nurtures six key strengths in young people - confidence, teamwork, communication, determination, independence and creativity. Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Department for Education (DfE) revealed the government's vision to help children build character and resilience to succeed in life and improve academic outcomes, stating that character and resilience are as important as academic achievement. Prof Lucas said: “All the evidence says it is no longer a question as to whether character is important, it is now all about how you do it. Sailing can provide an answer to that ‘how’, whilst also providing numerous other benefits like having fun with friends and family, being active and getting outdoors." Alistair Dickson, RYA director of sport development, added: “We are delighted to welcome Welland YC to OnBoard. OnBoard is about fun and enjoyment, while our work with Professor Lucas highlighted the broader learning benefits, which youngsters can take with them off the water and into many other aspects of their lives. It is fantastic more local youngsters now have these opportunities on their doorsteps.” Andy Prior in competitive action.Andy Prior in competitive action. Welland YC has thrived on the River Welland in Spalding for nearly 75 years with popular weekend dinghy racing, an active cruising section and busy social programme. As a recognised RYA Training Centre, the club confirms to the highest standards of safety and quality. Since 2005, OnBoard has introduced more than 900,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting some 70,000 of them into regulars. For more information about Welland YC visit www.wellandyachtclub.co.uk or to learn more about RYA OnBoard go to www.rya.org.uk/go/onboard

Royal St. George's Jonny O'Dowd Third at J80 UK Nationals in Lymington

Were it not for a 'DSQ' in race three, Dublin Bay helmsman Jonathan O'Dowd of the Royal St. George Yacht Club may well have been further up the podium when racing was cut short at the J80 UK National Championships in Lymington yesterday. Instead, the Irish boat took bronze in the 11-boat fleet. As Afloat previously reported, racing in Christchurch Bay at Royal Lymington Yacht Club, in 5 - 8 knots of breeze, the Royal St. George Yacht Club entry 'Jabs' stayed third overall when the final races were abandoned. Chris & Hannah Neve of the host club were overall winners with Nick Haigh's Slighty Steamy in second. Overall results in the 11-boat fleet are downloadable here

Epic sailing challenge for Wales YFC members

Nine members of Wales YFC have embarked on a sailing trip of a lifetime with Challenge Wales through the Wales YFC international programme. The team, which was chosen during a selection day last year, have been sailing around the south west coast of the United Kingdom. They left Gosport marina on Sunday, and sailed the channel throughout the week, before stopping off at Lundy Island, and finishing at Penarth marina in Cardiff on Friday. This was the first group opportunity for members under the age of 18 on the Wales YFC international programme, which offers up to 10 different trips all around the world to Wales YFC members each year. Challenge Wales, who organised the journey, is predominantly run by volunteers and provides life-changing experiences for those aged between 12 and 25 years, teaching them life skills. The journey was a youth residential voyage on a tall ship, and the team were expected to run the boat themselves. This was a great opportunity for youngsters to gain independence and controlled life learning. Wales YFC international chairman, said: "It’s great to see yet another trip... under the Wales YFC international programme. "As a committee, we are proud to offer the first junior trip through the programme and we look forward to developing trips with junior members in years to come."

Clipper Race Fleet Racing Towards Race Start in London

Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club’s Autumn Pursuit Race

Racing at the lake on Sunday (18 August) started with the Autumn Pursuit Race where the slowest boats start first, in a timed sequence, with a finish an hour later. As junior sailors in a Topper and a Laser were the slowest, off they went. But the strong and gusty wind soon proved too much for them and, after a few capsizes, they came back in. Nick Brook in a Solo took the lead until he was passed by Richard and Heather Marsh in a faster RS200. Meanwhile, Chris Massey and Tom Daniel in a Scorpion had been fancied to win but suffered a capsize when they were in second place. Surely the Marshes were going to win, until at the very last moment they missed a tack and let the Scorpion into victory. For the two remining races of the day, it was the Scorpion that took the honours, with Nick Brook consistent in second place and Richard Marsh, now with Will Smith as crew, in third place.

The Ultimate Summer Regatta in the South West - Salcombe Yacht Club Rega...

Merlin Rocket Nationals 2019 Race 1 at Looe SC