Hamble Classics 2020 at the Royal Southern Yacht Club

The fifth Hamble Classics Regatta is set for 21st-23rd August at the Royal Southern Yacht Club and after much consideration will open for entries in June. The event’s organiser Jonty Sherwill commented: “It’s been great getting enquiries from classic yacht owners keen to get sailing and we look forward to working again with the Royal Southern team, race officers and helpers to deliver what we hope can be another enjoyable regatta despite the continuing uncertainties caused by the coronavirus. Hamble provides easy access for visiting yachts with its convenient berthing and is perfect for families and crews that may prefer to base themselves from home during the regatta. “While we will remain optimistic that by late August a complete programme of sailing and socials will be possible full compliance with RYA and Harbour Authority guidelines in place at that time will be observed.” Further updates will be posted at https://www.facebook.com/hambleclassics/ and with online entry at: http://www.royal-southern.co.uk The Hamble Classics, founded in 2016 by Jonty Sherwill and Vicki Weston, is designed as a late season extravaganza of classic yachting to welcome all styles of classic yachts, with racing formats to suit each type including the International Metre classes, Classic Racers, Cruisers and Dayboats, Old Gaffers, Spirit of Tradition Yachts and classic One-Designs.

Autumn Sailing on Coniston Water

Falmouth Week shoreside events cancelled - but regatta still planned to go ahead

THE land-based aspects of Falmouth Week 2020 have been cancelled, but a sailing regatta is still planned. The Falmouth Week Committee said it had made an unanimous decision to cancel the shoreside events for the week, due to take place from August 8 to 16. A spokesperson said: "The Falmouth Week Committee has waited until now to see how the current Covid-19 situation was progressing. "While it is the right decision, albeit a disappointing one, the health and safety of the Falmouth residents, traders and visitors is of most importance. "All organisers are in agreement that social distancing could not be adhered to and therefore it is the right choice to make." Falmouth town manager and chairman of the Shoreside Committee, Richard Gates, said: “Given that we are dealing with a global pandemic, it is not possible to host Falmouth Week without putting all those involved at risk. "I would like to thank everyone for all their hard work and time this year that has already taken place and we look forward to August 6 to 15, 2021.” Tim Vigus, from Falmouth Events and Southwest Bars and Events, added: "We always look forward to this key event in the Falmouth calendar and we are very much looking forward to welcoming you all back to enjoy the festivities of Falmouth Week in 2021 – for what we hope will be our biggest and best year yet." Meanwhile the Port of Falmouth Sailing Association (POFSA) is continuing to make plans for Falmouth Sailing Week. POFSA chairman, Nigel Sharp, said: "We are working hard to explore ways to organise a modified version of Falmouth Sailing Week that will ensure the safety of our volunteers and competitors, which we take extremely seriously. “We opened the online entry system at the beginning of the month, albeit without yet asking for entry fees to be paid, and the owners of 41 boats have already declared an interest, which is tremendously positive.” Falmouth Week 2021 will take place from August 6 to 15. The 10-day event is a major attraction for locals and visitors alike with fleet racing for yachts, dayboats and dinghies as well as a packed schedule of day and night shoreside entertainment. For further information on Falmouth Week see www.falmouthweek.co.uk

Allonby UK Windsurfing 16 May 2020

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.