UK Sailing While Dolphin spotting

British Youth Sailing unveils pioneering Diploma in Sporting Excellence

British Youth Sailing is launching its new Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) supporting talented and committed young athletes with the potential to be high achievers in sailing. The Level 3 diploma, worth 64 UCAS points, combines sailing and full-time education so participants have the skills, knowledge and competence to pursue sporting excellence alongside education and a future career in sport. A first for sailing in the UK, the course will be delivered by British Youth Sailing and Loughborough College. The pilot scheme will feature 12 places, beginning in September 2020. DiSE is funded by the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as a dual career pathway for athletes who have been recognised and nominated by their National Governing Body as having high potential for excellence. The programme is delivered over two years, with sailors able to choose their further education studies, such as A levels, BTEC or other vocational qualifications alongside DiSE. Sailors must be in full time education for the duration of the DiSE programme. Applicants must have five GCSEs of minimum grade 4 (or C), preferably including maths and English, and be starting year 12 in September 2020. Sailors should have ambition to be part of and progress within the British Youth Sailing pathway. The diploma will be delivered through 10 to 15 days of bespoke BYS training camps during weekends and holidays, on top of class training and squad activity. It will include contact days on the water, workshops, online lessons and 1:1 specialist reviews. Course modules include Lifestyle, Finance, Anti-Doping, Injury Management alongside specialist sessions in mental skills and nutrition. Assessments are through practical work, written tasks and recorded discussions. British Youth Sailing and Loughborough College will work within the Government’s Covid-19 guidelines to ensure a safe programme is delivered. “This is real positive step to further supporting our sailors in education which I am excited to see grow and develop,” said Jack Grundy, RYA Performance Manager. “This qualification gives learners the preparation they need to be able to continue to compete in their sport at elite level and/or to use the knowledge, skills and competency they have gained to progress to employment in sport or to an alternative career pathway.” To register your interest for the course, please fill out the form here. The deadline for applications is midday on June 19.

Sailors invited to join Royal Southern Yacht Club charity regatta

THE Royal Southern Yacht Club is inviting sailors to take part in a charity regatta this August. It will take place in August and has been announced after the cancellation of the Isle of Wight regatta, Cowes Week. Four days of racing is planned for club class yachts, sportsboats, dayboats and other classes with six or more entries. The regatta will be based in Hamble, and will run from August 8 to 11. The nominated charities for the Royal Southern YC Charity Cup Regatta are Solent Mind and Hamble Sea Scouts. All racing and any services ashore will be organised in line with HM Government guidance and regulations on Covid -19, and will follow all recommendations from the Harbour Authorities. A limited entry is available for the event. To reserve a place, email sailing@royal-southern.co.uk

The Foiling Optimist

Weymouth Moth Worlds Becomes UK Nationals But All Welcome

The 2020 International Moth World Championships scheduled for The UK's Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy has been cancelled due to COVID-19. The Organising Committee felt that the chances of being able to hold a Worlds event in September with all countries being able to participate were 'slim at best' due to the pandemic. Leading Irish Moth sailor David Kenefick, one of a number of Irish foiling sailors who was expected to compete off the Dorset coast, has said that it was the right thing to do in the circumstances. However, the Royal Cork ace has also given a thumbs up on social media to the organisers decision to go ahead with a UK Nationals instead on the same dates, 1-11 September. The recast event comes with an open invitation to sailors from any nation to come and race if they can make it to the UK.

A Day on Squibble, Dufour 335, video by Tom Curtress

Work with the British Sailing Team and EIS - Lead Physiotherapist

LIFE AT THE SAILING CLUB - Return to Boating - What will it be like?

Ramsgate Week sailing regatta cancelled amid coronavirus pandemic

The annual Ramsgate Week Regatta, hosted by the Royal Temple Yacht Club, boasts a 163-year history and was due to be held at the end of July in Ramsgate. The event attracts racing yachts from across Europe and the UK and is dubbed the "friendly alternative to Cowes" - the UK's major sailing regatta on the Isle of Wight. It had been hoped the much-loved regatta would be held this summer, but organisers say it will not be possible while protecting those involved amid the pandemic. Commodore David Parish says he knows it will be a disappointment to many, including the Ramsgate Week team and sponsors. "Unfortunately we cannot see how we can run the regatta in the way we would wish," he said. "We appreciate the patience that everyone has shown while we looked into how we could go ahead with Ramsgate Week, but unfortunately it is not to be this year and we would like to thank the many volunteers who have been waiting to jump into action if needed." Ramsgate Week chairman Karen Cox added: "In the 163-year history of the Royal Temple Yacht Club we believe this to be the first cancellation of our flagship event outside of the two World Wars. "However, we owe it to all our competitors, both local and visiting, to provide a quality event and maintain the reputation of our club and the regatta." Plans are already underway for Euromarine Insurance Ramsgate Week 2021, which will take place between July 18 and 23, 2021. Those competitors who have already entered will be contacted this week and will be invited to roll over their 2020 entry to next year. The event typically includes races involving various classes of yachts including IRC (International Rating Certificate) class, Cruiser class crews battling it out for a series of cups and championship races. Ramsgate Week is one of a long list of summer events to be cancelled in Thanet, including Broadstairs Folk Week, the Hi Tide festival at Dreamland and Broadstairs Water Gala.

Lasso your mooring buoy

I take about three feet of old garden hose to aid that tricky mooring pickup in windy conditions. By adding it into a big bowline it makes it easy to lasso the main mooring buoy and tame the boat. Once things have settled you can then use the boat hook for the pickup buoy and making off the boat properly without dangerous loads. Once secure the hose opens up the bowline with a bit of flicking for retrieval. If it doesn’t it can always be tackled with the dinghy when conditions have eased. I have sat and watched so many fingers injured, boat hooks bent or lost as the mooring line loads up before a turn can be taken. Pete Goss Former Royal Marine, world-renowned racer and adventurer, Pete Goss has sailed more than 250,000 miles, both racing and cruising This seems a safe option for when things get a bit hairy on the foredeck.

Testing 3 Blade vs 4 Blade Propellers What’s the Difference Between 3 an...

UK National 18 Championship 2020 Cancelled Due To Covid-19

The National 18ft Class Association has very reluctantly concluded that they must cancel the 2020 UK & Irish Championships sponsored by AIB. The event was due to be held in the Royal Cork Yacht Club this August as part of the Cork300 celebrations. However, the remaining Government restrictions against coronavirus, in particular those on foreign travel and social distancing, will make it impossible to run a successful event, the organisers said. Many options were considered, including a deferred 2020 date. But to protect the health of all and the sailing and social integrity of the regatta, the decision has been made to cancel. Despite the disappointment, plans for a domestic season both in Ireland and the UK are under way with a revised calendar will be issued in the coming weeks, and an announcement on the rescheduling of the Class Championships will follow. The cancellation does not impact the AIB-sponsored Optimist Nationals or the Laser Nationals, which are also planned for August but later in the month.

Days 3 & 4 of Poole to Falmouth