Waszp sailing

Campaign launched to save Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre at Yeadon Tarn from Leeds Council cuts

Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre (LSAC) faces permanent closure under a cost saving proposal by Active Leeds, which is run by Leeds City Council. The council faces a £119m budget shortfall for 2021/22, due partly to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on council services and revenue collection. LSAC provides a large array of watersports and outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and sailing, as well as archery, an orienteering course, off site climbing, an indoor caving experience, off road and mountain biking, and a park with classroom space. It is an inclusive centre which caters to people with disabilities. The centre, which has been closed since the first lockdown, is also a Royal Yachting Association training centre and offers qualifications awarded by British Canoeing and British Rowing. A petition has been created to oppose the plans, which will shortly be going out to a six-week consultation process. Bookings are still being taken for next year in anticipation of lockdown being lifted. Jon Dakeyne, who created it, wrote: "We are asking for your support to challenge the closure of this professionally run first rate facility open to all which offers safe qualified outdoor activity instruction for a wide range of sports and experiences. "It is a fully inclusive facility catering for all people and has appropriate adjusted equipment where possible so all can experience any activity." People who have signed the petition have called on the council to think again. Kate Littleton said: "Leeds needs this type of facility! It promotes outdoor exercise and gives people skills and experiences that they can’t easily get elsewhere without travelling some distance." Steve Collett wrote: "Disabled people have very little opportunities to do things that able-bodied people do, and sailing is a wonderful opportunity to be able to do something out of the ordinary, on a level playing field with their able bodied friends. "This decision must be reviewed." While Kurt Mockridge said: "This is a tragedy and a loss to the local community and the wider community of Leeds and the catchment that this provider serves. "The benefits of a service like this will only truly be appreciated when it is lost and potentially never replaced." LSAC said that over the last five years, the centre’s use has been increasing, as has its income, but it currently runs with a subsidy from the council. Since 2016 it has been used by more than 70 different schools and more than 50 youth organisations, charities and colleges. There are 66 places per week for children in after school term time and weekend watersports clubs and more in the school holidays. Ex-senior instructor Jackie Friend told the YEP the campaign would particularly like to hear from individuals and families who have used the centre over the years. Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake has been appealing for more support to be made available by the government to meet the large costs associated with coronavirus. Local government, which relies heavily on central government for its financing, has faced deep and consistent cuts to funding under Conservative and Liberal Democrat administrations since 2010. Speaking last month, Leeds Northwest MP Alex Sobel called on the Government to provide more funding to local authorities to plug financial gaps created by Covid restrictions. He said: “Our council is at breaking point, now having to make harsh decisions on what services will be cut due to a deficit of £120m from central government. "Within my own constituency of Leeds North West, it would appear that they may include Yeadon Sailing Centre and the household recycling centre in Otley. “It is imperative that the Government step up to the mark and provide the necessary restrictions based on the science to protect lives, along with a fully supportive financial recovery package that saves businesses, jobs and our councils from having to cut or close vital services within the community. "The impact of getting this wrong will be astronomical to our city." The three local Liberal Democrat councillors are also opposing the closure. Email save.lsac20@gmail.com for more information about the campaign.

Falmouth Tall Ships 2021

Trust's donation of a boat thrills Llangollen sailor Ellis Richards

A LLANGOLLEN pupil who has dedicated himself to sailing over the past three years has been rewarded with a brand new boat. Ellis Richards, a Year 9 student at Ysgol Dinas Brân, received the shiny new Laser 4.7 sailing boat from John Merrick's Sailing Trust. He has worked hard over the past three years with his hobby of dinghy sailing, now has the feel for racing and competing within the sport. Ellis made an application to the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) asking them to support him in his desire to race. After long days of waiting to find out if he was successful, Ellis received an email of congratulations that he was the JMST 2020 lucky winner of the boat. John Merricks was born on February 16, 1971 in Leicester and went on to become one of the world's top international sailors. John lost his life in Italy more than 20 years ago in a road accident. The John Merricks Sailing Trust has been in operation for 21-years and has helped many young sailors and youth sailing organisations to achieve their goals. The charitable trust was set up by those closest to John to do some good in his name and further his memory. Ellis said: "Wow! This fantastic opportunity has become surreal, being a winner of Laser 4.7 from the John Merrick Sailing Trust Charity has left me overwhelmed. "I am so lucky, and am excited and intrigued to see what the future will hold for me in the big world of sailing. "This is going to be life changing for me and I am truly grateful, I would like to say a big thank you to every one involved from the JMST and RYA onboard, this is amazing and I can’t wait to be working with you." Ellis now has his sights set on the national competitions 2022.

A yacht designed by Porsche? Aboard Elan's sporty new GT6

New Forest harbour nominated for Marina of the Year

AN award-winning Hampshire marina at the centre of a £2m redevelopment project could sail away with a top award. Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour on the Beaulieu River has been nominated as Marina of the Year in the British Yachting Awards 2020 as work starts on the second stage of the upgrade. More than 30 new berths built during the first phase of the redevelopment have already been filled. The yacht harbour is taking reservations for a further 35 berths that will be available by April 2021 - the marina’s golden anniversary year. They will include berths capable of accommodating vessels of 18 metres and longer. The redevelopment is part of a continuing programme of improvements that has already seen the marina become the Yacht Harbour Association's Coastal Marina of the Year 2018/19. Russell Bowman, managing director of Beaulieu Enterprises, said: “We are thrilled to be nominated for Marina of the Year in the British Yachting Awards. "They are the only sailing awards voted for entirely by sailors themselves, and we’re delighted to have been recognised for our commitment to improving facilities and providing a friendly service that goes above and beyond.” The development, which is designed to future-proof the marina and adapt to the changing nature of modern boating, is being undertaken in two off-season phases to minimise disruption. The facility has already been praised following the completion of phase one, which involved a visitor area, upgraded electrical services and an increase in walk-ashore pontoons. Work was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic but resumed as soon as it was safe to do so. Harbourmaster Wendy Stowe said: “The Beaulieu River is a natural haven and a perfect place to ‘get away from it all’, particularly in such a challenging year. "We’ve been pleased to provide a secure and friendly environment this summer and look forward to sharing our new facilities with visitors when they open next spring.” Marina Projects is overseeing the scheme, with the work being carried out by another Hampshire company, Walcon Marine. Beaulieu Enterprises says it is working with Natural England and the Environment Agency to ensure the protection of the river’s unique habitats and species. The winners of the British Yachting Awards are due to be announced on December 1.

How to use a bursary - a year on

The RYA London and South East Youth Training Fund awards bursaries each year to help young sailors and coaches achieve their goals. Last year’s recipients tell us how the bursary has helped them. James Crossley from Island Barn Reservoir and Datchet Water Sailing Clubs used his award towards additional race coaching. He says: “I was already getting some excellent coaching as a Tier 1 RYA National Junior Squad member and the additional coaching enabled me to further improve my sailing over the winter in preparation for the year's racing.” James completed the Selden Sailjuice Winter Series finishing overall 1st Junior, 1st Topper and 3rd Youth, with the prize giving at the RYA Dinghy Show. When the Topper racing season was cancelled, James moved to youth sailing and the 29er where he made Gold fleet on the GP racing circuit. Mia Gray of Felpham Sailing Club used her bursary to buy new kit to wear for winter training at Emsworth sailing club as part of the Two Harbour Squad, whilst sailing a new RS Tera from the John Merricks Sailing Trust. She helped out at her club as an Assistant Instructor, and having enough kit to keep warm and dry was really helpful while she was sailing and teaching every day. Josie Kelly, also from Felpham Sailing Club, bought a Rooster training sail for her Laser, so that she could train without damaging her class legal one. She says: “This has been very beneficial, allowing me to race with a brand new, crisp sail and still train without having to worry that I may damage my only sail.” The rest of her bursary went towards re-roping her boat and getting new fittings which reduce the time taken to adjust sail settings. Josie says: “I am very grateful for this and it has certainly helped me become a better racer!” Oli Gatton from Crawley Mariners Yacht Club bought a new Topper sail and buoyancy aid, and spent time when he couldn’t sail renovating his boat with his dad. Come September Oli competed in the ITCA Travellers at Datchet, Island Barn Topper Open and British Youth Regional Junior Championships at Datchet, and was extremely pleased to be selected to join the RYA Regional Training Group for Toppers. Oli’s plans for 2020/2021 include sailing for GCSE PE, Regional Training Group camps, Bough Beech Icicle Series and ITCA events. He says: ‘My ultimate goal is to sail at Topper Worlds.” Joanna Leake of Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club (IBRSC) spent her bursary on a new wetsuit, jacket and poly pro clothing, which, she says: “……enabled me to sail comfortably during the winter, including the Bloody Mary at Queen Mary SC in January in really challenging conditions. It was an amazing experience, and I hope to take part again in 2021.” Joanna has joined in all the holiday racings courses run by IBRSC this year. In July she passed the Assistant Instructor Course at the club and spent two weeks assisting with beginners’ sailing courses. She is currently sixth overall in the regional Topper Traveller series and second girl. Joanna says: “As well as sailing in my Topper, I have also raced in a Feva, and have started sailing a Laser 4.7 in training courses at IBRSC. I have been selected for the 2021 Regional Training Group for Toppers and I am looking forward to training and sailing with the squad again. Before sailing restarted, I missed seeing everyone and being on the water, and I have been much more cheerful, healthier and happier since sailing restarted.” Sam and Edwin Cross of Crawley Mariners Yacht Club used the bursary to buy new sails. Pamela Rothwell says: “Edwin and Samson had an amazing year and the bursary boosted their confidence no end. The new sails helped Edwin feel he had an equal chance on the start line and Samson to sail in challenging conditions. They have loved sailing in numerous venues, many of which they were introduced to via the RYA Zone Squad network. “The cherry on the cake was their success at the National Series 1. This was both their first national Topper event, Samson won the 4.2 regatta and Edwin came 5th in the 5.3 fleet.” Ben Sharp of Downs Sailing Club made good progress in the regional RYA Topper Zone Squad and was selected for the Regional Training Group for this year, after RYA and ITCA selection events. He did two Topper Traveller events, and in the last one was mid-fleet overall against sailors from National RYA and National ITCA teams, plus ex-Zone Squad sailors. Ben says: “The bursary helped me buy a new sail which I used in competitions and training. It was helpful because we also had to buy a trailer and other boat parts. Finian Morris of Papercourt Sailing Club used his bursary towards attending the Euromed regatta in Malta in December and the Palamos International Optimist Trophy in Palamos, Spain in early February. He finished 60th of 172 in Euromed and 61st out of 550 in Palamos. During the year Finian outgrew his Optimist and decided to move into the 29er class. Since then he has been getting used to sailing the 29er, practicing with one of his Optimist friends as crew, and doing his first event. Dave Ellis, Chair of the RYA London and South East Youth Training Fund, concludes: "The recipients of awards in 2019 have shown the benefits in a variety of ways of the monies received and how their sailing life has developed despite time on the water being restricted by the pandemic. I hope that those who receive grants in the future continue to grow their sailing talent in similar ways. "

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