OUR FIRST SAIL IN DAPHI, spoiler alert, the boat in the thumbnail isnt ...

Langstone sailing club youth sailing

FOG IN A BOTTLE EXPERIMENT - How Does Fog Form? with the British Keelboa...

Windsurfer Emma Wilson back on the water after lockdown

Tokyo-bound windsurfer Emma Wilson spent the last 52 days being tormented by the view of the out-of-bounds ocean from her living room window in Portland, Dorset. But while many top sports stars reacted to this week’s tweaked government lockdown guidelines with more frustration, for Wilson and the rest of the Great Britain sailing team it meant a long-awaited return to the waves. Under the new guidelines, Wilson and her team-mates are allowed to set sail again on a recreational basis, subject to social-distancing rules which include being restricted to setting out solo, or with members of the same household. For Wilson – sharing her lockdown with her mother Penny Way, who finished sixth for Great Britain at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympics – it means a resumption of the only kind of normality she has ever known. Wilson told the PA news agency: “It was definitely the longest I had not been able to sail since I was very young. “I missed the feel of the salt water, and that ability to get away from everything when you’re on the water. I could see it every day from the window of my house, and I was trying my best not to look at it too much.” The RYA’s Olympic performance manager Mark Robinson said: “The British Sailing Team remains very mindful of the risks of Covid-19 and the extra burden any accidents might place on the emergency services, so all athletes have received specific guidance to minimise these risks. “We intend to heed the Prime Minister’s words that we must take small steps and that this is going to be a long and gradual process to get back to normal.” Wilson has already been selected for the Tokyo Olympics and has been assured by her governing body that she will retain her place despite the Games being delayed by a year. The 21-year-old admits she is in two minds about the benefit of the delay, given a stirring senior season in which she finished fourth at the Tokyo test event but being afforded the benefit of 12 months’ more experience. For the time being, however, Wilson is concentrating on the hard graft required to enable her to return to the sort of form which marked her out as one of the top British prospects to watch at the Games. Wilson added: “I went out for the first time on Wednesday and it all felt a bit rusty, and I fell in a few more times than I normally would. “I’m sure it will all come back quickly but for now I am just trying to enjoy more, because I can appreciate what happens when it all suddenly gets taken away.”

PLANNING A SAFE RETURN TO BOATING: PART 2 - Club Development with RYA Cl...

WINDSURF MAINTENANCE TIPS - Check your kit before you go back on the water

Restoring a 1985 Mirror Dinghy

The Green Blue share new sailing online educational resources

World Sailing have launched a free Sustainability Education Programme for sailing clubs, teachers and parents to share with their children. Delivered in partnership with the World Sailing Trust and 11th Hour Racing and developed with The Ocean Race, the programme forms part of World Sailing's Sustainability Agenda 2030 - sailing's commitment to global sustainability. The Royal Yachting Association will be sharing the educational programme’s materials with its members and the wider community through its environmental awareness programme, The Green Blue. Kate Fortnam, The Green Blue’s Campaign Manager says: “These educational resources are a welcome addition to our existing range of educational activities for young boaters. We’re hoping that the materials will be used by sailing clubs, teachers and parents who can help raise awareness of the environment to children and can share with them how to best safeguard our waters, wildlife and habitats for the future.” The programme will cover six topics with each comprising of a booklet, trainer's guide and worksheet for age groups 6-8yrs, 8-10yrs and 10-12yrs. As well as worksheets, the resources also include a range of fun, hands-on ideas to bring the information to life for children, such as design challenges and group problem solving. The theme throughout the programme is to combine key sailing terminology with environmental issues whilst also learning about some of the exciting events and boats in the sport that can hopefully inspire the next generation of sailors. The topics to be covered are as listed: Race with World Sailing Resources and Climate Change Navigating Wildlife and Biodiversity Reducing Waste – available from 13 May Oil and Fuel – available from 20 May Boat Cleaning and Maintenance – available from 27 May It is hoped that by balancing these selected areas that the next generation of sailors will be more aware of the wider environmental issues that can affect sailing, as well as those areas where the sport can also make a real positive impact. The World Sailing Sustainability Education Programme materials can be accessed within the Educational Activities section of The Green Blue’s website.

Guidance issued for English sailing clubs

In response to Sunday’s Government announcement that unlimited outdoor activity will be permitted in England, the RYA has issued guidance for English Affiliated Clubs that are considering a safe plan to restart their boating activity. The guidance has been created as part of the RYA’s ongoing support for affiliated clubs during the Covid19 pandemic. It includes advice on how clubs may be able to facilitate activity minimising the risk of transmitting infection (including social distancing and adequate cleaning and hygiene) and how to reduce the likelihood of a callout to emergency services through enhanced risk assessment, maintenance and safety. Alistair Dickson, RYA Director of Sport Development explains: “Many clubs have been completely shut down during the pandemic with staff placed on furlough so we are pleased to be able to offer this practical guidance to clubs to help them plan for the future. “However due to the severity of the situation and in order to keep people safe, we are encouraging clubs to take their time and use this information to carefully plan and develop their own policies which will best suit their venues. This will likely involve creating a team who will be responsible for reviewing what’s practically possible, deciding what’s best for their club and implementing those decisions effectively with clear communication to their membership. “We urge the members of English clubs to be patient during the next couple of weeks. It is unlikely many will be able to open straight away and it’s in all of our interests that clubs open when they are ready to facilitate safe activity with appropriate social distancing measures, hygiene procedures and risk management practices.” The RYA is mindful that Home Country Governments have issued their own phased plans and measures. Therefore, we would encourage Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh clubs to wait for further guidance from RYA Scotland, RYA Northern Ireland and RYA Cymru Wales. Guidance for RYA Recognised Training Centres and Instructors will also be issued shortly. The RYA Sport Development team are offering a series of online Club Development Forums as an opportunity for people in clubs to come together and share their thoughts on the challenges that lie ahead. Project #SailFromHome also shares interactive webinars and club development content every Thursday. “Once again we thank all those who are involved in running clubs and centres for their efforts and patience during this challenging time and we will continue to work hard to ensure you get the information and advice needed as soon as possible” Alistair concludes. Further COVID-19 advice for clubs, classes and training centres, as well as recreational boating in the UK and abroad, can be found on the RYA website.

RNLI statement following UK Prime Minster announcement on 10 May

Many people will want to visit the coast and participate in water-based activities such as swimming, kayaking, surfing, boating and angling. At present there are no RNLI lifeguards on beaches and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational, should they be needed, it is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risk and takes the necessary steps to keep themselves safe. This will also help to reduce the demands placed on our lifeboat crews and other emergency services including HM Coastguard. In this way we can all work together to succeed in ensuring the coast is a safe place to visit. We would urge anyone planning a visit to the coast to follow RNLI safety advice: Take care near cliffs - know your route and your limitations Have a plan - check the weather forecast and tide times If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float If individuals are choosing to go sailing or yachting it is important to ensure that equipment is properly checked and serviceable before going afloat. In any coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Key facts about the RNLI The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives. Learn more about the RNLI For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre. Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or or by email.

On Course - Episode 3

Royal Corinthian Sailing Club in Burnham donates 65 Easter eggs to the NHS

Officers at a sailing club donated over 65 Easter eggs to NHS staff. Flag officers at The Corinthian Otters, the junior sailing club within the Royal Corinthian Sailing Club in Burnham, donated the eggs to hard working staff at Basildon Hospital. The eggs were originally planned to be used for the annual Otter’s Easter egg hunt but the club didn’t want them to go to waste. The eggs were given nurses and patients in the Neonatel Unit, and Children and Maternity wards. One nurse said: “They are much appreciated as eating is not much of a priority on the shift at present, so, thank you to the Otters.”

Green and pleasant land