Teen Millie becomes sailing club's first Youth Commodore

 A NAUTICAL teenager has become the first Youth and Junior Commodore – and the first female Commodore – at Draycote Water Sailing Club.

Millie Irish, 16 – whose grandparents were founding members of the club – was voted to the new post by fellow Youth and Junior club members.

The club decided to have a second Commodore – a nautical term for the head of the club – to lead the younger members.

With all of the 52-year-old club’s 19 Commodores having been male, Millie has also become the first female at the club to have the title.

Millie, who lives in Stretton-on-Dunsmore, has been sailing all her life. Her best result was 6th out of 200 at the Feva World Championships in Italy in 2019. She has also been the Draycote Water Sailing Club Champion.

Millie said: “I am so pleased to have been elected as Draycote Water Sailing Club’s first ever Youth and Junior Commodore and also to be the Club’s first ever female Commodore.

“The Club and its amazing staff and volunteers have inspired and helped me with my sailing over many years and it’s a real honour to have the chance to give something back.

“The Club is already a fantastic place for youth and junior sailors and we’re all really looking forward to making the most of this new opportunity for us to have our own Youth and Junior committee.”

Three other Youth and Junior committee members were also elected – Rugby residents Sam Byrd and Jessica Powell, and Clemmie Middle who lives in south Warwickshire.

Draycote Water Sailing Club’s Youth and Junior fleet holds junior learn-to-sail courses, improver fun sessions, races, and the Draycote Academy which offers high leve

Performance Academy Continues to Develop New and Exciting Opportunities on the Water

 Since its official launch last September, the Performance Academy, powered by Andrew Simpson Centres, has been striving to enable and support sailors for success at every level.

 "Through our team of expert coaches, we have been able to offer high quality training for sailors in our class specific programmes and foiling pathways over the winter months. This summer we will continue to support sailors and provide them with the very best opportunities for development." - James Parker- Mowbray, Performance Academy Head Coach.

The programmes support sailors across a variety of RYA recognised classes, working alongside class associations to provide complimentary training throughout the pathway. Additionally, the brand- new foiling pathway, for both sailors and windsurfers, aims to develop the next generations foiling racing skills.

‘‘Despite the challenges over the past year, the ASC Performance Academy continues to make fantastic progress. We strongly believe in all of the benefits associated with competitive sailing & windsurfing and we strive to ensure that everyone involved in our programmes has the ability to succeed.'' - Iain Percy OBE, Performance Academy Advisor.

The continuation of the successful partnership with the UKLA (UK Laser Association) enables opportunities for regional training with quality coaches for ILCA sailors. The Performance Academy is also supporting sailors at specific summer events alongside running complimentary training programmes for ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 sailors.

To achieve this, the Performance Academy is proud to announce that James Hadden will join the team.

"I am extremely excited to be joining the growing Performance Academy team. I am looking forward to supporting the delivery and development of high quality ILCA training and future international event support, ensuring sailors have the opportunity to succeed at every level. I am really proud to be a part of the team and coaching this year's programme"- James Hadden, Performance Academy Head Coach.

Recently, the announcement that the iQFoil has become a British Youth Recognised Class has added to the success of the Performance Academy WindFoil pathway.

 The pathway has guided many sailors through the transition into the iQFoil class and the Academy will continue to support these sailors with additional dates in the coming months. Alongside this, the new "Performance Windsurfing Club", based at the Andrew Simpson Centre in Portsmouth, allows high quality training and regular participation for advanced Techno or foiling windsurfers.

To support the above, Henri Lloyd is providing technical clothing to the Performance Academy. Henri Lloyd has a longstanding relationship with Sir Ben Ainslie CBE four times Olympic Gold medallist and America's Cup sailor. Ben is a Non-Executive Director on the board of the Henri Lloyd Group and their Chief Technical Advisor and is a founding Trustee of the Andrew Simpson Foundation.

"As part of our longstanding partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation, we are proud to be further supporting the Performance Academy through our range of performance products, to be used by high level coaches both on and off the water. In addition to our work with the Foundation that supports grass-root sailing, this project provides an opportunity for sailors to succeed at every level, working with top professionals in our sport." - Ross Partridge, Performance Sales Manager.

Visit our dedicated website at http://ascperformanceacademy.org/ to find out about the dates and training programmes on offer across our affiliated centres in locations across the UK. 

Sailor with one arm who crossed Atlantic solo plans another epic trip

 He made the news a year ago after completing a 3,600-mile solo journey to get back home as the Covid crisis began.

Now Garry Crothers is thinking about heading off on an even greater adventure — a round-the-world sailing event spanning some 26,000 nautical miles.

It is all the more remarkable because he is an amputee who lost an arm after a motorbike accident in 2009.

Not even his experience last year has put him off another sea odyssey.

The onset of the pandemic had scuppered Garry’s plans to sail from the Caribbean island of Saint Martin with two friends who had been scheduled to join him there.

That left him with no option but to sail home alone across the Atlantic, an epic voyage that made headlines.

Garry said being an amputee was not a hindrance to him during his 37 days at sea last year, and won’t be in two years’ time if he secures enough sponsorship to take part in the Global Solo Challenge in 2023.

He added: “Looking back on last year, it does seem like a dream now, but at the time I really had no other choice.

“The writing was on the wall that the coronavirus restrictions were going to be in place for some time, and as I needed to be home for my daughter Oonagh’s wedding, I had to batter on as best I could.”

At the end of the gruelling voyage Garry arrived back in his native Londonderry, where his very relieved wife Marie, other daughter Amy, Oonagh and fiance Ryan were on the quay waiting for him.

Garry suffered the loss of his arm 12 years ago after a collision with a car as he rode to his job at Queen’s University.

He recalled: “Every day during the summer I travelled by motorbike from home to Queen’s University and I was about one week away from putting the bike away for the winter when, on a Monday morning, a car did a U-turn right in front of me and I went into the side of him and did a serious amount of damage.

“It was touch and go. Without a doubt, I owe my life to a paramedic who arrived at the scene within a couple of minutes.

“His name was Louis Mac Ghollaigh Bhride.

"He was on his way home from a shift and pulled his car into the side of the road and attended to me until the ambulance arrived.

"He also came with me as I was being rushed to Antrim Area Hospital.

“Louis has since passed away himself, so I was never able to thank him properly.

“But I will never forget everything he did for me or that I owe him my life.”

Following the crash Garry retired, but soon adapted to a new way of life with sailing — and it remains his passion.

He added: “I could never imagine not sailing, and it is why I am giving serious thought to the Global Solo Challenge next year.

“It will mean I will be at sea for almost a year and I will most likely need sponsorship. But I am not ruling it out, that’s for sure.”

Sailing trips offered to help NHS critical care teams in Cornwall decompress after Covid

 Cornwall's frontline NHS staff are being given the chance to go sailing to decompress after Covid.

Fundraising initiative, Project ARGO, is supporting critical care workers by running trips out of Falmouth, starting with those from the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

It is partnered with charity Turn to Starboard to help with their mental health.

Some have described their working environment as a 'warzone'.

Now they are being paired with volunteer veterans who've already been through a similar programme.

It has won the support of famous faces like double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell, who visited Cornwall to promote and see the project first-hand!

On its website, Project ARGO is described as "a relief and recovery initiative for our frontline NHS staff, inspired by the military and delivered by veterans".

Project Leader Kaylie Buytenhuys tells us being out on the water can make a big difference.

"Seeing their faces when they return and just being full of energy and having a new sense of hope, just reaffirms that what we're doing is working.

"We haven't forgotten about them and we don't plan to.

"We hear them and we're here to help them get through this.

"There is something truly special about being at sea and sailing.

"And also when you have people with you who understand what you're going through, it creates that sense of camaraderie and it serves as a reminder that we're never alone.

"It has a healing effect and it's just a wholesome experience".

Critical care nurses have been describing how they have benefited from Project ARGO and thanks the team behind it.

Michelle, said: "I cant even put into words how amazing you made us all feel on our sailing trip.

"You made us escape into a world where all our worries disappeared. I especially loved being with a crew who opened up to tell us why the project was started, after experiencing hard times in the past also".

Justine said: "What a fantastic day with some fabulous people. This was THE most therapeutic experience I've ever had, I feel like a new woman and I now want a boat!

"A massive thank you to the guys at Project ARGO who are kindly doing these days for NHS staff to provide a journey of relief and recovery after the last year".

Stephanie added: "Look how happy we are! My first time to ever experience sailing and Project ARGO was really awesome in making this day unforgettable.

"Let's support this cause in helping the NHS frontline workers de-stress. Let us support each other's health. Not only physically, but also mentally! Kudos Project ARGO - well done!"

Nikki said: "Massive thank you to you all. It really was such a very special day and I can't thank you enough for all of your kindness and understanding. A million thank you, s once again".

Post-Brexit: RYA Certificates of Competence to be reinstated in Spain

 

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has received confirmation that its International Certificates of Competence (ICC) and several of its course completion certificates and other Certificates of Competence remain valid for skippering Spanish flagged boats.

The announcement comes following persistent and coordinated consultations through the UK Government with Spain's General Directorate for Merchant Marine (DGMM).

The RYA raised concerns once it became clear that the UK's status as a third country from 1 January 2021 meant that, in accordance with Spanish regulations, RYA certificates would no longer be recognised by the Spanish Government for use on Spanish flagged boats.

The RYA together with British Marine immediately engaged with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the UK Department for International Trade and the British Embassy in Spain in an effort to make representations to the relevant Spanish Authorities regarding the impact of these new restrictions. An economic impact statement was prepared and provided to Spanish Authorities with the purpose to make clear the financial impact on the Spanish economy as a result of the changes to recognition.

Following reinstatement of RYA qualifications into Spanish law, RYA certificate holders will now be able to continue to skipper boats registered in Spain as well as in the UK.

The British titles now valid for sailing in Spain are as follows: RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence; RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence; RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence; RYA Day Skipper; RYA Powerboat Level 2; RYA International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC).

Richard Falk, RYA Director of Training and Qualifications, commented: "The RYA will continue to work with the MCA, Department for Transport, and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and other industry partners, to ensure that RYA qualifications are as widely recognised as possible following the UK's exit from the European Union."

Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 02380 604 159, email member.services@rya.org.uk or visit www.rya.org.uk.

SOUTHAMPTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW WILL HAVE A BOLD NEW LAYOUT THIS YEAR WITH CHANGES ENHANCING THE VISITOR’S SHOW EXPERIENCE

 British Marine, organiser of the Show, is delighted that Britain’s biggest festival of boating will return safely and with style this September. Bringing back the successful boat show formula, including Europe’s largest purpose-built marina with hundreds of marine brands together in one location, the 52nd edition of the show will be complemented by some refreshing changes.

Working in partnership with Southampton City Council, British Marine is pleased to confirm additional land has been agreed for use at this year’s show. This larger space creates a new entrance to the show outside Southampton’s Westquay Shopping Centre.

Inside the show, visitors will be able to visit zones of boating and watersport that cater for specific interests giving a tailored show experience. Zones include Watersports- paddle boards, kite surfers, kayaks and windsurfers a Dinghy Zone geared towards the interest of dinghy sailors and high-performance sailing, and a Classic Boat & Day Boat Zone aimed at celebrating the boats and craftsmanship that stand the test of time.

On the massive marina, there will be hundreds of power and sailboats plus equipment and services on show in Mayflower Park. Europe’s largest purpose-built marina remains the show’s centerpiece with its wide range of exhilarating on-the-water experiences for everyone. An arena between pontoons and shore will be used to create a safe and constantly active water park.

Throughout the show there will be new dedicated features, including stages with live music and other entertainment as well as guest speakers to showcase the lifestyle that watersports and boating offers.

As per the Government roadmap, it is planned for outdoor events to run in full format by September 2021. However, the health, safety and security of visitors remains the number one priority. Through engagement with the relevant Government department and Southampton City Council, British Marine will ensure that everyone can enjoy themselves in a safe and happy environment and incorporate any necessary COVID-19 safety measures that may be required at the time.

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, said:

“After more than a year dominated by the pandemic, we are delighted to be working with Southampton City Council to bring the show back to the city again and plans for the new layout and zones are really exciting.”

Well- known brands in boating have already signed up to exhibit at the Show. These include: Sunseeker International, Princess Motor Yachts, Prestige Yachts, Sealine, Fjord, Jeanneau Sail & Power range, Beneteau Sail & Power range, Hanse, Dehler and Moody sailing yachts and Privilège and Bali catamarans.

This diverse range of brands makes Southampton International Boat Show an event for all serious boat buyers and water sports enthusiasts keen to have the opportunity to see the latest boats and equipment all in one place.

Falmouth Classics to go ahead as over 100 boats enter

 Following the passing of the May 17 milestone, it is full steam ahead for the volunteer team of organisers with prizes to source. posters and programmes to be printed and sailing instruction to be finalised.

Keith Tullett, the Chairman of Falmouth Classics Association said” I am delighted that the efforts of the enthusiastic organising team are being justly rewarded and that we will have a good showing in the parade of power and sail on Sunday 13th to mark Falmouth Harbour Commissioners’ (FHC) 150th anniversary.”

Seventy visiting vessels will arrive to berth alongside or moor on buoys and anchor on Thursday June 10. The most distant ones are coming from as far afield as Bristol and the Thames.

Two distinctive vessels will be on the moorings, the Danish built topsail schooner Anny of Charlestown (1930) and the last West Country trading Ketch “Irene” (1907). Together with other heritage craft they will create a scene reminiscent of Falmouth’s maritime past.

On Friday there will racing in the Carrick Roads and the Bay and again on Saturday when it is anticipated there will also be a good showing of Falmouth Working Boats with their distinctive topsails.

The event will be Covid secure and shore side events have been significantly modified to ensure the skippers and crews will remain safe and healthy. The traditional pasty and a pint reception will see crews remain on their boats and Dynamite Valley Brewery’s bottles of Classic beer or a glass of wine provided by Vino Direct and a Choaks pasty, delivered by volunteers.

There are also some adjustments to the on the water activities. The briefing will be virtual and prizegiving will be outside and limited to the parade and trophy winners so that numbers are not more than 30.

Despite the Shanty Festival being virtual again this year, there will be some music in the Haven on Thursday and Friday evenings provided by Bryhers Boys and the Hardiesse Harmon

The parade will be led by two Royal Navy Archer Class patrol boats HMS Scimitar and HMS Sabre, following these vessels will be the 1930 Danish topsail schooner “Anny of Charlestown”. Next will be the flotilla to mark the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners 150th anniversary. Leading the group will be one of the current pilot boats and other FHC craft.

They will be followed by three sailing pilot cutters: “Marguerite” (1883) originally a Cardiff pilot cutter, “Mascotte” (1907) a Newport pilot cutter and “Agnes” (1993) a reproduction of a Scillonian pilot cutter built by Classic Boater of 2021, Luke Powell.

three will reflect the fleet of sailing pilot cutters that would have worked out of Falmouth meeting vessels off the Lizard and further west that wished to enter the port. Gigs, powered by oars, also carried pilots out to ships, a local gig will join the group. 

Falmouth Quay Punts served vessels in the port to ferry goods and crew to and fro. There rig was designed to sit under the yards of square riggers. “Curlew”, built in 1912, is a fine example and will be part of the flotilla.

Falmouth Working boats would have been very much part of the harbour scene dredging for oysters in winter and racing in the summer, “George Glasson” will represent the Falmouth Working Boats, built in Porthleven in 1893 she came to Flushing in 1912. The oldest boat in the group, celebrating 140 years, is the St Ives Mackerel Driver, “Barnabas”. She is a good illustration of the many fishing luggers that would have been used. 

     

Halifax Sailing Club to upgrade clubhouse thanks to a new money grant

 The grant has allowed the club to replace a number of windows as part of a larger project to improve and moderise the clubhouse and changing facilities.

Funding for the windows was provided by the Community Foundation For Calderdale based in Halifax.

The club made an application to the Ovenden Windfarm Fund and was awarded a grant of £2000.

Fund Raiser for the RNLI

 

Cowes sailors to sail Duke of Edinburgh's boat in Edinburgh Cup

 THE ISLE of Wight connection to the Duke of Edinburgh's beloved keelboat Bluebottle is set to continue.

The Duke was gifted the boat by the Cowes-based Island Sailing Club, and it has now been added to the historic fleet of the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Not only was it recently restored by Island boatbuilder David Heritage, of Cowes, but it is going to be sailed by Islanders in the Edinburgh Cup at the British Dragon Association’s UK championships in late August.

Husband and wife team Graham and Julia Bailey have each previously won the Edinburgh Cup, the national championship of the British Dragon Class.

The Baileys, who live in Cowes, race regularly both home and internationally and have won four Edinburgh Cups between them in recent years.

“We are all thrilled and honoured to be racing this most iconic of all Dragons in the Edinburgh Cup. At 74 years old, Bluebottle may be older than The Royal Yacht Britannia, but following the expert restoration with some modern upgrades from David Heritage, we are keen to see how she goes in competition and will give it our all in memory of the late Duke of Edinburgh.”

Galmpton-based sailing charity is back on the water after lockdown

 MEMBERS of Dart Sailability have enjoyed their first day‘s sailing after lockdown restrictions were eased.

The charity welcomed sailors and volunteers to its new base at Galmpton’s Dartside Quay, looking forward to a busy summer of boating and social activities.

Principal Ian Wakeling said: “It’s fantastic to see so many volunteers and sailors after all the lockdown restrictions.

“The freedom and independence that our sailors experience out on the beautiful River Dart is a joy to see.”

Cancer patient reveals how he's having chemo while sailing around Britain

 An Ipswich war veteran, who is sailing around the country for charity after the heart-breaking loss of his daughter, has explained how it's possible to be treated for cancer when he's miles from the shore.

Olle Nash is taking on the impressive trip to fundraise for Macmillan, which supported his daughter Toni through her final days battling pancreatic cancer in 2017.

The charity is now helping Olle navigate his own journey with illness after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019 — he's been told he'll be living with the disease for the rest of his life.

He'll be setting off from Fox's Marina in Ipswich on Saturday, May 22, and will spend nearly a month on the seas before docking at Inverness for hospital treatment.

"I have had the all clear from my oncologist about the first leg for the journey," the 63-year-old said.

"We've changed my medication from intravenous to oral, which means I take the chemo in tablet form and they suit me quite well for some reason — other people really struggle with them.

"I am on the highest dose you can get and I'm glad I've had some time to be able to test out the theory before setting off.

"I'll be getting my second cycle of tablets to take with me then I will get my bloods tested in Inverness, we've formulated a plan so that should be the only time I need to do that.

"When I was initially diagnosed I didn't ask the longevity questions because I didn't want to know, but last year it became clear I wasn't going to shake it and at some point my health will deteriorate, so now we're just in maintenance mode."

Once he leaves Inverness, Olle will have to travel back to Ipswich for hospital treatment and when he's ready, he'll return to complete the rest of his trip.

He'd always planned on doing the sail and imagined it would be in his retirement, but said things have changed and he doesn't know what his future holds so decided to go for it now.

Olle has been documenting his fundraising and said family and friends have been prompted to reach out to him about their own illness, something he'd hoped to achieve by sharing the support work Macmillan provide.

"Don't be afraid to contact Macmillan," he added. "This is all for them, it's not supposed to be about me really, sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger rather than your family — open up."

To follow Olle's journey on his blog click here, and to donate to the fundraiser for Macmillan click here.

Ellia’s 10-hour sailing challenge for children’s hospital

 A young woman who loves nothing more than a trip out on the water will be taking on the biggest endurance challenge of her life next month.

Ellia Rhodes, aged 16, from Grasscroft, will be sailing her dinghy solo for 10 hours at Redesmere Sailing Club near Macclesfield to raise money for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.

The challenge would be a grueling test of endurance and stamina for any teenage girl, but this will be especially tough for Ellia, who has an often-painful growth condition called patella femoral dysfunction. Her condition means she frequently needs crutches to walk and she can suffer acute pain in her knees.

Ellia was diagnosed with her condition in September 2018 but has never let it hold her back and began sailing when she was just nine years old.

Ellia told the Chronicle: “I’ve spent a lot of time at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital over the years so I really wanted to do something to give back.

 

“I think 10 hours is going to be quite tough, but I’ve been practicing a lot on the water when restrictions have allowed, and I’ve also had a daily session on a rowing machine at home.

“I originally wanted to do it in 2020 so I’ve had plenty of time to prepare. I can’t wait for the big day and just hope we get the right weather – not too hot, but not too cold!”

Not only is Ellia a regular patient of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, she is also part of the hospital’s Youth Forum. This means she is one of the young people who is involved in developing health services and influencing policies and procedures. The group creates a link between senior managers and the young service users of the hospital.

All the funds Ellia raised will be sent to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity who, at Ellia’s request, will divide the money between the Youth Forum, the High Dependency Unit, Ward 84 (oncology and hematology) and Ward 85 (which looks after a number of young patients, including those with cardiology, cystic fibrosis, endocrinology and respiratory problems).

Ellia and mum Joanna

Ellia’s mum Joanna said: “Ellia is very passionate about helping the children’s hospital and doing all she can.

“Originally, sailing was secondary to her ballet. She took the Royal Yachting Association’s Youth Sailing Scheme courses when she was younger, but ballet was always the biggest hobby of hers.

“Sadly her condition meant she had to give up ballet. But now she’s really developed a love of sailing, joined Redesmere Sailing Club and improved her skills. She’s also bought her own dinghy called 'Fantaztic'.

“I’m so proud of her and what she has achieved. When Ellia sets her mind to something she gives it her all. She really wants to make a big difference to the hospital.”

Ellia will be taking on her 10-hour challenge on Saturday, 29th May from 9am to 7pm. Joanna, friends and family will be supporting Ellia from the lakeside and selling refreshments and cakes in exchange for a donation.

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity’s Community Fundraising Officer Georgia Sleigh said: “It’s incredible that Ellia has chosen 10 hours of sailing for her challenge – she’s definitely not starting small and obviously wants to make a real impact for the children’s hospital.

“She’s set herself a target of £2,000 and has already passed the halfway mark, so her fundraising is going really well. We’re really impressed with how she has been getting on.

“Redesmere Sailing Club is on such a beautiful lake so I’d love to encourage people to go along, enjoy the scenery, cheer Ellia on and, of course, make a donation to a fantastic cause!”

To sponsor Ellia visit https://justgiving.com/fundraising/ellias-sail-challenge