£1k cash boost makes disabled sailor Madi’s boating dreams come true

A CASH boost has seen a disabled girl’s sailing dreams come true. Madison Haynes, 16, has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. She has always dreamed of setting sail with her siblings at Burnham’s Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. After receiving a vital £1,000 donation from Barratt and David Wilson Homes, Madi can finally set sail in comfort alongside her siblings. The money was donated to buy specialist equipment as part of the company’s community fund scheme. Parents Sally and Bryan applied for the funding so they could get a pontoon hoist for the Corinthian club. Sally said: “The support of the sailing club and local community, including David Wilson Homes has been amazing.” “Madi loves being on the water, and now with the imminent installation of the hoist it will make it so much more comfortable for not only Madi but other disabled sailors to access their boats and the water.” Madi’s friends and family previously hosted fundraising events to buy the RS Venture Connect, a boat specifically designed and adapted for the disabled. Having met their goal, Madi’s family enjoyed several sails over the summer. While the boat made Madi’s dream possible, they still needed the hoist so she could sail in comfort. The equipment is designed to help Madi and other disabled sailors get on and off the boat more easily. Madi’s family began sailing at Burnham in 2017. The family were recently invited to Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ divisional office to meet with managing director Mark Cotes and receive the cheque. Mr Cotes said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to support Madi’s family in their fundraising efforts through our Community Fund scheme. “It was wonderful to receive the letter highlighting Madi’s story, and we hope the £1,000 donation will contribute to many years of successful sailing. “As the country’s largest housebuilder, we are committed to creating a positive legacy.”

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Palnackie brightened up by Scotland's only tall sailing ship

Palnackie residents and visitors from far and near enjoyed the beautiful sight of Scotland’s only tall sailing ship moored at the harbour over the festive period. La Malouine, owned by local sea dog Roy Kerr, will remain a blaze of night-time glory for the next few days. Roy has received dozens of cards and messages for the stunning display. He said: “I put the lights on every winter. But this is the first time I’ve put a Christmas tree on top of the main mast. READ MORE Bill's Ceilidh at Palnackie Village Hall to raise money for Parkinson's UK “It fairly brightens up the whole place. “Folk in Palnackie have been commenting how great it looks.” He added: “And an awful lot of people who have come to see La Malouine never knew Palnackie existed.

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Yacht built by historic Arnside company makes shortlist for awards

A YACHT which was constructed more than 100 years ago by a historic Arnside company has been shortlisted for two classic boat awards. Ziska was launched on January 28, 1903, by Crossfields of Arnside, a company which was active until the middle of the 20th century. The yacht currently resides at Port Townsend on the west coast of America. In 1997 she was bought by a 19-year-old and sailed across the Atlantic. In 2019, she took part in the 750-mile Race2Alaska, which saw her sail up the Canadian coast to Ketchikan, Alaska. And the 117-year-old yacht has now been nominated in the 'Centenarian of the Year' and the 'Restoration of the Year (under 40ft)' categories at the Classic Boat Awards, organised by the Classic Boat magazine. “It would be great if Ziska wins the awards. I would encourage anybody with an interest in sailing to vote for her, said Alasdair Simpson, of Arnside Sailing Club. "For a boat built in Arnside in 1903 to take part in a Race2Alaska is an amazing achievement." Vote at classicboat.co.uk to vote. The deadline is March 9.

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Medway Yacht Club joins RYA OnBoard

Medway Yacht Club is on course to inspire the next generation of sailors after joining RYA OnBoard - the national grassroots scheme making it easier and cheaper to get more young people on the water. OnBoard gives anyone aged 8-18 the chance to learn to sail or windsurf by providing low cost opportunities for schools, youth groups and families to have fun afloat. What sailing can do for young people goes beyond the notion of ‘sport’; it’s everything else that comes from being on the water in a boat or on a board. As well as the physical and mental benefits of having fun in the fresh air outdoors, a landmark project between the RYA and Professor Bill Lucas, Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning and Professor of Learning at the University of Winchester, identified how sailing nurtures key life skills and character strengths in young people. These strengths are confidence, teamwork, communication, determination, independence and creativity, and this is why Medway Yacht Club is excited to get OnBoard for 2020. Hannah Cockle, the RYA’s OnBoard Operations Officer, commented: “It’s great to welcome Medway Yacht Club to the OnBoard programme. Getting out on the water has a huge amount of benefits, no matter what your age, background or ability. We look forward to working with them and the local community to get as many people as possible enjoying our great sport.” Inti Guaschino, Training Manager for the club, added: “Sailing is a great sport. It presents physical and intellectual challenges, increases self-reliance and confidence, and develops a connection with the outdoor environment. Sailing is not always about being the strongest, the lightest or the fastest, it is often being the smartest, making the right choices. “The RYA OnBoard programme gives us the chance to reach out to our community and offer the young people a whole new adventure.” Run by sailing’s national governing body the RYA, OnBoard works to make sure anyone who wants to sail or windsurf, regardless of ability or background, can. OnBoard isn’t about producing champions, although many youngsters do go on to excel in dinghy and windsurf racing, it is about local youngsters discovering what an exciting, challenging, sociable or simply relaxing outdoor activity sailing can be. Medway Yacht Club is a recognised RYA Training Centre, meaning it conforms to the highest standards of safety and quality. Since 2005, OnBoard has helped over 900,000 young people try sailing and windsurfing and learn an activity that often stays with them for life.

Calling all team racers: get your entries in!

Time is running out to enter two of the most important events in the team racing calendar – the RYA/BUSA Women’s Team Racing Championship and the RYA National Team Racing Championship. The 2020 Women’s Team Racing Championship returns to West Kirby Sailing Club, Wirral, on February 22 and 23, and the discount for early entry ends on January 15. The regatta, raced in Firefly dinghies, is the country’s premiere team racing event solely for women, and will see crews look to dethrone 2019 champions Oxford. The National Team Racing Championship, hosted by Bough Beech Sailing Club in Edenbridge, Kent, will see up to 24 teams go head to head in Fireflies for the Prince Philip Trophy. Held on the weekend of March 14 and 15, the event will see four flights of boats provided, with 12 umpires guaranteeing racing is of the highest level. High winds prevented the 2019 regatta from taking place – so the stakes are even higher this year. The entry deadline for the regatta is February 2.

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