Marine tourism body welcomes Scottish Government £100m fund

The Scottish Government’s £100 million fund to support small and medium-sized businesses and the self-employed has been welcomed by Sail Scotland, the national marine tourism body. It had been lobbying the Scottish Government for additional assistance for its members, joining voices with Wild Scotland to support the wider marine and adventure tourism sector. Both organisations say they have received high numbers of distress calls from businesses that were facing a catastrophic loss of seasonal visitors but were falling between the cracks of Scottish and UK government support. Sail Scotland estimates a 95 per cent loss of business across the marine tourism sector this year, due to the industry’s reliance on seasonal visitors. For these businesses, there is no opportunity for recovery until spring 2021 – which could be too late for many. In a plea for additional support, the body highlighted Scotland’s reputation as a world-class sailing destination. The marine tourism sector will also play an important role in ensuring the success of the themed year, Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, which will now move from 2020 to 2021. Sail Scotland also warned of the potential impact on rural and island communities, many of which rely on the expenditure of sailing and outdoor activity visitors. Sail Scotland chairman Gavin McDonagh said: “I am pleased that all the hours of direct lobbying to government ministers over the past few weeks on behalf of our industry have resulted in positive support for our sector. On behalf of myself and the board of Sail Scotland we would like to thank our chief executive Alan Rankin for his efforts in representing our sector and achieving this vital financial support.” Mr Rankin said. “It was clear to see that many of our members and wider industry seemed to be falling between the gaps of the UK funding support mechanisms. There has been open and ongoing dialogue with Scottish Government ministers and officials, and we appreciate the recognition that has been afforded to this vital sector. "We will continue to press for additional support as the sector is so seasonal, with many operators not likely to see any business until the spring of 2021. “Our sector extends right across Scotland and really does play a vital economic role in many rural areas. Our outstanding sailing grounds attract thousands of visiting boats each year, including bringing visitors to remote islands and coastal places."

Beating the lockdown blues at Ripon Sailing Club

North Yorkshire club maintains thriving community spirit during Coronavirus pandemic with packed schedule. Ripon Sailing Club in North Yorkshire is maintaining its thriving community spirit during the Coronavirus pandemic after moving a whole variety of its regular activities online. From e-Sailing and fitness to quizzes and coaching, the club is offering members a range of opportunities to stay in touch and have fun despite lockdown preventing them from meeting at the club or being able to get on the water. As Commodore Jamie Kerslake explains: “We took the decision fairly early on that we needed to be quite pro-active engaging with members and felt that while they couldn’t come to the club, the club had to come to them. It’s about offering that sense of community and continuity. “From the committee’s point of view, we were thinking about retention and keeping members engaged, and about keeping the club at the forefront of what people were thinking about. “We were also taking into account the demographic of our membership. A lot of them were self-isolating and so maintaining social interaction was really important for them.” Packed schedule When it became clear that clubs would be unable to stay open, Ripon SC took up the offer of a free VIP licence for Virtual Regatta through the RYA and decided to pay a £11.99/month (£14.38 inc VAT) for Zoom, enabling online get-togethers lasting longer than the 40-minute limit available for free. Zoom adds a social element to the club’s Virtual Racing sessions and has been used for committee meetings and updates, coaching and training, fitness circuits and rules discussions - with members aged one through to 80 taking part in the various sessions. The club has also launched a new weekly e-news - The Answering Pennant – to supplement its usual monthly newsletter and provide a timetable of activities and any Zoom/VR access codes so members can plan the club’s activities into their schedule. WhatsApp groups have been set up for different activity groups to send quick messages while social media is seeing members sharing light-hearted reports and comments. Ripon’s virtual schedule has so far included: Virtual Racing e-Sailing races on Saturdays and Sundays are well attended while Wednesday and Friday morning racing is aimed at less experienced Virtual Racers with coaching and explanation available on how to get the best out of the programme. VR activities include groups for club racing, RC, youth and junior sailors. Training & coaching The coaching team is providing regular training via Zoom to cover a whole range of topics, including: shore theory for RYA Stage/Level 1 -3; rules discussions; understanding rig controls; and ‘boat tours’ which have so far included an Optimist, Topper and a Cadet, with members sharing knowledge about their boats and how to crew them. Kickstarter The club’s race training programme Kickstarter for less experienced sailors of all ages has moved online. The weekly theory sessions usually covered before club racing are now on Zoom for sailors who want to learn to race or would like a refresher. Fitness & Fun: Twice-weekly Zoom Circuits invite members to stay fit and active on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are proving a hit with all ages from children through to older members, while quiz nights are also proving popular. Ian Smith, club trustee and RC fleet rep, who is among those helping to deliver activities, says: “The club has really come together very well with committee and other members doing a great job to keep the club together whilst in isolation. “The clubhouse and grounds remain out of bounds to members but we have brought the club together online with our activities so that we will be in a strong position to bring everyone back together at the club as soon as we can.” Fiona Spence delivers some rules coaching to the club's Kickstarter group Benefits Commodore Jamie Kerslake says the club has seen a number of additional and unexpected benefits from moving its activities online during the Coronavirus pandemic. As well as enabling the club to develop its communications know-how, the training and coaching elements, driven by Youth & Junior Secretary Fiona Spence, have provided an opportunity to deliver sessions in a relaxed, non-sailing environment: “It has actually been quite refreshing because we’re not rushing to get on the water and we’ve been able to take a little more time to look around some different boats and to discuss the different aspects of sailing and racing.” The club has also made good use of its more experienced youth helms to run some Zoom sessions - including Ellie Clark on Rule 18 and mark roundings and Ollie Kent on startlines - which has seen them step up to the challenge, give back to the club and share the benefits of their squad training. The training and coaching sessions are not only useful live but will also be valuable for the future; the club’s paid-for Zoom package allows them to be recorded and some of the lockdown learning sessions will be edited into training resources for when activities resume at the club. The strength of the club’s committee and community spirit has come to the fore to meet the challenges of Covid-19, with virtual gatherings seeing around 6-12 members doing circuits, groups into the teens for coaching and up to around 30 participants for VR racing. Jamie says Ripon’s new online offer is bringing together all ages and even enabling members to make new friends – older RC members have been having great fun racing the kids on VR! “We’re seeing a good portion of our members and it’s brought sections of the club together that wouldn’t necessarily engage with each other normally,” says Jamie. “It’s a social sport at the end of the day and I think we’ve replicated a good amount of that which is really positive.” Anyone wanting to find out more about how the club is delivering its online activities is welcome to contact Ripon SC for further details.

Rickmansworth Sailing Club becomes RYA OnBoard Club

Rickmansworth Sailing Club, based in Hertfordshire, is on course to inspire the next generation of sailors after joining RYA OnBoard - the national grassroots scheme which makes it easier to get more young people on the water. OnBoard gives anyone aged 8-18 the chance to learn to sail by providing low cost opportunities for schools, youth groups and families to have fun afloat. Martyn Hawkins , RSC's Vice Commodore and RYA Training Principal said: "For a while now RSC's Trojans has been a great way for younger members to have fun at the club and to join their friends on the water. Of course, that's going to continue when we can get back to sailing but now we'll be a part of the RYA's great OnBoard programme too! We'll also continue to offer training from the RYA's Youth Sailing Scheme so that even more young people in the area can benefit from these fantastic qualifications. We look forward to working closely with the RYA's OnBoard team to promote, encourage and develop young people's use of the club and its water." Hannah Cockle, OnBoard Operations Officer, commented: “It’s great to welcome Rickmansworth Sailing 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 in the future to get as many people as possible enjoying our great sport.” As a recognised RYA Training Centre Rickmansworth Sailing Club conforms to the highest standards of safety and quality. Rickmansworth Sailing Club sails on Troy Lake in Hertfordshire. You can find out more about the Club here. Run by the RYA, OnBoard is a grass roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged 8 to 18, through schools, youth groups and training centres. The low cost sessions are designed to promote equal access to sailing for young people from all social and economic backgrounds, whilst encouraging their character development. Since 2005, OnBoard has introduced more than 900,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting some 70,000 of them into regular participants. For more information about how to get out on the water in the East Region, once the current Coronavirus prevention restrictions are lifted, visit www.rya.org.uk/go/startboating. Please note: At the time of going to print and based on the Government’s advice and guidance on the developing Coronavirus situation, the RYA has suspended all RYA organised events until at least 31 May 2020 – this date will be regularly reviewed. This includes OnBoard events and activities.

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Small businesses to receive boost from Bounce Back Loans

New Government backed loan scheme launched. The Government has announced a new loan scheme to be offered to small and medium sized businesses from Monday 4 May. It is hoped that the Bounce Back Loans will help small firms that are in need of vital cash injections in order to keep operating. Businesses based in the UK will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and should be able to access the cash within days. In order to apply for the loan, businesses will need to follow a short, standardised online application process. The Government has confirmed that there will be no repayments, fees or interest expected on the loans during the first 12 months. The loan scheme will be launched as part of the Government’s efforts to support the UK’s economy during the COVID-19 outbreak. Applications will be accepted from 4 May and will be available to most sailing clubs, recognised training centres, instructors, class associations and Sailability groups. However, businesses will not be able to apply for a Bounce Back Loan if they are already claiming under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. RYA Director of External Affairs, Howard Pridding said: “The new loan scheme is positive news for many of the clubs, centres and organisations in the RYA network that have to date fallen through the cracks of the financial support measures put in place by the UK Government. However, we are also aware that there will still be many individuals and organisations in our network that will not be eligible for these financial support packages and we are working with other Sport National Governing Bodies and the Sport & Recreation Alliance to lobby Government at this difficult time. If you find yourself in this position, please do get in touch with the RYA Legal Team so that we may assess the extent of the shortfall and continue to lobby Government on your behalf,” he concluded. For more information about the financial support packages available to UK businesses and self-employed individuals, please take a look at the Coronavirus Hub on the RYA website. Club Commodores and Training Centre Principals are also encouraged to check out the RYA Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs for Affiliated Clubs, Classes and Recognised Training Centres for detailed support and guidance. If your business requires any assistance with applying for business loans or grants then please contact the Legal team via email legal@rya.org.uk or call 023 8060 4223.

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How a sailing adventure inspired Robert to get others with MS out on the water too

An epic sailing adventure gave Robert Munns “a new perspective on life” and inspired him to help other people with MS experience the joy of sailing too. This is his story. People who don't know that I have MS cannot really tell. I do consider myself lucky, but they don't see the real story. You see, I'd never really been ill before. To be hit with an inexplicable attack (double vision, speech issues and electrical impulses through my body) and then to be told after all the many tests that this is what 'I had' was devastating at the time. I was in the prime of my life. The world was my oyster and I was enjoying the ride. In 2008, however, all that was brought into question: EVERYTHING was petrifying. And for me the fear has always been the killer. What's causing this pain? Why can't I sleep? Why am I so tired? Why do I ache? I must admit that for someone with MS, this is not unique. Then in 2014, I stumbled over a crazy scheme to sail around the world with a crew of people with MS. Oceans of Hope it was called, "out into life" they said. As a pretty experienced boat person, my knee jerk reaction was to apply. In December 2014 I was accepted for the Pacific leg of the circumnavigation. I then made my travel plans and resigned from work (hasty, I know) and by February 2015, I was on board Oceans of Hope in the Galápagos Islands with a full complement of MS crew bound for Tahiti. It was to be a journey of just over 4,000 miles with a couple of stop offs at small islands mid Pacific. During my time on board, I learned a lot about MS and my relationship with it. What I'd learned was mainly twofold. Namely how much I'd been disconnected from life and secondly how important humour is. I had not been engaging in life since 2008, which was quite clearly depressing. Being on the boat made me realise how much I had not been present. Life was happening to others, I was just standing by, not my whole self. What also struck me as important was humour. I've always enjoyed laughter (who hasn't?), but it took some time, space and good people on board Oceans of Hope to make me realise how much I had missed laughter for some considerable amount of time. Once I left the boat, I had some time to absorb and reflect on my journey so far with MS along with the new positive perspective on life. This new perspective was given to me on board Oceans of Hope. It was a gift, a present... a cake for me to take away and eat. That summer, I was compelled to continue with this journey and I decided that this gift, this cake that I was given, needed to be replicated. More people with MS had to have the same opportunity as me, so I founded Oceans of Hope UK. That was 2015… it's now 2020! With the help and support of great people we are still striving to achieve this. Since 2015 we have been organising sailing trips, taking over 400 people sailing with us so far. Since 2018, we have been a UK registered charity Oceans of Hope UK. For people that haven't come sailing with us yet, it's important to say that it really does make a difference to people's lives. It's that simple. You can find out more about Oceans of Hope and how you can get involved at: oceansofhope.co.uk(link is external). Search for Oceans of Hope UK on Facebook, follow on Twitter at @OOHChallenge and Instagram @oceansofhopechallenge.

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Skerries Sailing Club's GP14 World Championships is Postponed Until 2021

The GP14 International Class Association in conjunction with Skerries Sailing Club has postponed its 2020 GP14 World Championships until 2021. As Afloat reported previously, with over 100 entries already registered, Skerries Sailing Club and the GP14 International Association have been in discussion for quite some time preparing for this eventuality. In announcing the postponement have provisionally pencilled in July 25 to Aug 1 2021 as the new date for the GP14 World Championships to be held in Skerries. Ferry Refunds Currently, the UK Government restrictions on travel for non-essential journeys are in place until 31st May 2020. As the World Championship was scheduled for July 2020, there is currently some uncertainty with regards to the refund option for non-refundable tickets purchased by UK competitors. If the Government extends the ban on non-essential travel to include the dates the hope is refunds should be available.