Press Releases

27 July 2010

TEAM15 MIDLANDS CHALLENGE GOING TO THE WIRE

Pitsford Pirates have sailed themselves into pole position to represent the Midlands at the 2010 RYA Team15 Champions Cup national grand final as they romped into a 2-1 Regional Inter-Club Challenge series lead on home waters on Saturday (24 July).

With the 2010 Team15 Midlands regional champions set to be decided at the fourth and final series event in early September, the Pirates' young windsurfers gave themselves them edge over nearest rivals, and defending regional champions, Carsington Comets, with a dominant display at Northampton Watersports Centre.

Carsington Comets, from Derbyshire, have been the leading Team15 force in the Midlands, winning at least the last four regional titles and as a result representing the Midlands at the Champions Cup finals, where the winners of each of the 10 regional Inter-Club Challenge series do battle for the national crown.

But with this year's Champions Cup being held at Pitsford Water on 9-10 October, the Pirates will want a shot at landing the top prize on home waters and are now in the driving seat to win the right to be the Midlands' representatives.

Once again Pirates' Joe Patrick was the star of the Pitsford show as he cleaned up in the 5.8m² fleet while Dominic Stevenson in the 3.5m² class earned special plaudits for his show of dogged determination in race two, recovering from a poor start to sail through the fleet in tough conditions to score a third for the Pirates.

Meanwhile Tom Munro again shone for Carsington in the 6.8m² fleet landing a clean sweep of victories and Harry Millward received a merit award for most improved sailor after posting three third places in the afternoon following a morning session where he didn't make it round the course.

Intriguingly the final event of the Midlands Challenge series takes place at Carsington Water on Saturday 4 September. Should the Comets enjoy a home victory, and the series end up tied at two wins apiece, then the series winners will be decided on countback.

Ben Hodgson, RYA Midlands Team15 Co-ordinator, admits the series showdown is set to be a thriller. He said: “The standard of racing this year has been really high and it is so exciting that the Midlands title is going to come down to the final event. Team15 is about making windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters aged 15 and under and for many of the kids that have taken part in the Regional Challenge series so far this year it will have been their first time racing in a competitive environment.

“The main thing is the kids have fun and enjoy their racing and want to keep coming back and maybe even get their friends involved too. And it really makes a difference that so many youngsters have really thrown themselves completely into the competition and pushed the series to the wire. All the sailors deserve huge credit.”

New Team15 outfits for 2010, Edgbaston Watersports and Redditch Renegades, tied for third place at Pitsford.

19 July 2010

TALLINGTON TORNADOES SET FOR LATEST TEAM15 TEST

Tallington Tornadoes' new windsurfers get another chance to put their fledgling talents to the test on Saturday (24 July) when the third round of the 2010 RYA Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge arrives at Pitsford Water in Northampton.

Tallington Tornadoes, based at Tallington Lakes near Stamford, recently joined the ranks of RYA Team15, a nationwide network of 80 grassroots windsurfing clubs aimed at getting kids aged 15 and under into the sport.

And no sooner had the club come online as the country's newest Team15 outfit than they had youngsters competing at the premier Team15 event in the region - the 2010 RYA Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge.

Tallington made their Challenge debut at round two of the series at Draycote Water near Rugby earlier this month where Tallington's Thomas Care picked up a merit award for effort and determination.

And a team of Tornadoes are once again set to do battle against the best Team15 rookies from the East and West Midlands in Northamptonshire.

Ben Hodgson, RYA Midlands Team15 Co-ordinator, admits he is delighted with the commitment and enthusiasm being shown, particularly from the newer clubs like Tallington Tornadoes.

He said: “We have had no fewer than four new clubs getting involved in the Challenge events so far this summer, which has been brilliant. Even if a club only brings one or two sailors to an event it sets a precedent for their involvement in the Challenge series, which is great for the clubs who are getting their kids involved in good, fun racing really early on, but also makes the series more competitive.

“There is so much hard work going on at the Midlands' sailing clubs and centres, such as Tallington Lakes, to really get the kids just enjoying their windsurfing and having loads of fun on the water with their mates and we are seeing the benefits already as more and more kids are attending the Challenge events.”

19 July 2010

PITSFORD PIRATES BID FOR HOME RULE AS TEAM15 CHALLENGE HOTS UP

Pitsford Pirates' young windsurfers will be desperate to make the most of home advantage and get the upper hand in the race to represent the Midlands at the 2010 RYA Team15 Champions Cup when round three of the Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge arrives in Northampton on Saturday (24 July).

The Pirates are currently tied neck-and-neck with defending regional champions and the Midlands' 2009 Champions Cup representatives, Carsington Comets from Derbyshire, with one event win apiece in the four-event regional Challenge series.

The Team15 outfit posting the best results over the series will be crowned Regional Champions and represent the Midlands at the Champions Cup national grand final showdown. With this year's Champions Cup being held at Pitsford Water on 9–10 October, the Pirates will want a shot at landing the top prize on home waters.

The Comets took the early bragging rights at the opening round of 2010 but Pitsford hit back at round two in Warwickshire a fortnight ago when their 15-strong team – the first time one team has put out their full complement of sailors at a Midland regional event for some years – won out to draw them level with two events to go.

With the next event being hosted at Northampton Watersports this weekend and the final, deciding round being held at Carsington on Saturday 4 September, the race for the Midlands title is poised to go to the wire.

The 2010 Midlands Challenge series has gone from strength-to-strength as no fewer than four new Team15 clubs have got involved in the events so far this summer introducing a brand new generation of youngsters to competitive windsurfing. The last round at Draycote boasted best ever numbers for a Midlands Team15 event with 30 sailors and six teams battling it out. Tallington Tornadoes from Stamford in Lincolnshire made their Team15 debut.

19 July 2010

CARSINGTON COMETS OUT TO GAIN UPPER HAND IN TEAM15 CHALLENGE

Carsington Comets' young windsurfers will be desperate to upset home rule and get the upper hand in the race to once again represent the Midlands at the 2010 RYA Team15 Champions Cup when round three of the Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge arrives at Northampton Watersports on Saturday (24 July).

Northampton Watersports is the home of Pitsford Pirates, the Comets' biggest rivals for the title of 2010 Midlands Team15 Champions with the chance to represent the region at the Team15 Champions Cup national grand final showdown at stake.

And with both teams boasting one event win apiece in the four-event regional Challenge series so far, Carsington Comets , who are the defending regional crown holders and were the Midlands' representatives at the 2009 Champions Cup, will want to re-stamp their authority on this year's series in Northampton.

With the final, deciding Regional round being held at Carsington Water on Saturday 4 September, the race for the Midlands title is poised to go to the wire. The Champions Cup will be contested at Northampton Watersports on 9–10 October.

The 2010 Midlands Challenge series has gone from strength-to-strength as no fewer than four new Team15 clubs have got involved in the events so far this summer introducing a brand new generation of youngsters to competitive windsurfing. The previous round at Draycote Water in Rugby boasted best ever numbers for a Midlands Team15 event with 30 sailors and six teams battling it out.

Ben Hodgson, RYA Midlands Team15 Co-ordinator, said: “Even if a club only brings one or two sailors to an event it sets a precedent for their involvement in the Challenge series, which is great for the clubs who are getting their kids involved in good, fun racing really early on, but also makes the series more competitive.”

13 July 2010

PITSFORD TAKE TEAM15 MIDLANDS INTER-CLUB CHALLENGE ROUND TWO HONOURS

Northampton's Pitsford Pirates windsurfers have blown the race to be crowned 2010 RYA Team15 Midlands champions and represent the region at the National Grand Final wide open after winning round two of the regional Inter-Club Challenge series.

Pitsford play host to the grand final showdown at Northampton Watersports in October, where the winners of each of the 10 regional Inter-Club Challenge series' will do battle for the national Team15 Champions Cup.

And the Pirates young guns clearly stated their intention to be the Midlands team fighting for National bragging rights on their home waters, by fielding a full complement of 15 sailors at event two at Draycote Water on Saturday (10 July), the first time one team has put out 15 sailors at a Midland regional event for some years.

Pitsford's victory means they are now tied at one 2010 event win apiece with defending Midlands champions, and round one winners, Carsington Comets, from Derbyshire, with two rounds to go. The Comets finished runners-up at Draycote.

It was a record breaking event for the Midlands region at Draycote as no fewer than 30 youngsters representing six clubs took to the water with Tallington Tornadoes from Lincolnshire making their Inter-Club Challenge debut having only recently become a Team15 club.

Among the standout performances included Joe Patrick who was once again the star of the Pitsford show dominating proceedings on the 5.8m² board while Pirates' inter-club newcomers brothers Jacob and Isaac Leach also continued to show their promise by picking up a couple of race wins between them and claiming a special joint second place in the 4.5m² class.

Tom Munro led the way for Carsington Comets, having a firm grip on the 6.8m² class despite having only just moved up on to the bigger sail and Tallington's Thomas Care picked up a merit award for effort and determination.

Tallington Tornadoes claimed third spot from Redditch Renegades overall in Rugby, followed by Edgbaston Watersports and Draycote Water Warriors.

The next round takes place at the Pirates' Northampton Watersports home on Saturday 24 July before the Midlands series comes to a close at Carsington Water on Saturday 4 September, where the Midlands team to go through to the Team15 Champions Cup final will be decided.

Ben Hodgson, RYA Midlands Team15 Co-ordinator, said: “A huge amount of work has gone on in the Midlands over the past three or four years to really build Team15 up and we are seeing the benefits now as more and more youngsters representing more clubs attend each round of the series.

“There were gusty conditions at Draycote and it was really hot making windsurfing very hard work but no-one seemed to mind at all, they just loved being out on the water and taking part. Making sure the kids enjoy their windsurfing is the main ethos behind Team15 and there was certainly a huge amount of fun had at Draycote.”

6 July 2010

CARSINGTON COMETS BID FOR REPEAT SHOW AT TEAM15 CHALLENGE 2

Local Carsington's team of up-and-coming young windsurfers will travel to Draycote Water near Rugby on Saturday (10 July) desperate for a repeat of their opening event win as the second round of the 2010 RYA Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge comes to town.

The reigning Midlands champions, Carsington Comets got their 2010 series off to a flying start by claiming top spot at the season's opening Challenge event at Bartley Sailing Club in Birmingham last month with Jacob Palmer and George Marshall, both14, plus Joe Seddon, 13, all picking up victories in their respective classes.

More than 40 youngsters, all aged 15 and under, representing no fewer than five specialist clubs from across the West and East Midlands are poised to descend on Draycote Water Sailing Club in a bid to help their team qualify for the national Grand Final — the Team15 Champions Cup.

The Team15 outfit posting the best results over the four Series events will be crowned Regional Champion and will represent the Midlands at the Champions Cup at Pitsford Water, Northampton on 9-10 October.

Windsurfing is one of Britain's coolest and fastest growing sports and Team15 was set up to help make the sport more accessible and appealing to youngsters at grassroots level. There are more than 80 Team15 clubs nationwide, which meet every week to allow kids to learn new skills and develop their racing talents under the guidance of specialist RYA coaches whilst having a laugh with their mates.

For more than half of the youngsters that competed at Bartley it was their first taste of competitive sailing, putting their newly-learned skills together to try score all-important points for their teams.

Carsington Comets are expected to be joined at Draycote by event one runners-up Pitsford Pirates from Northampton, Redditch Renegades from Worcestershire, Birmingham outfit Edgbaston Eagles as well as host club Draycote Warriors.

Ben Hodgson, RYA Midlands Team15 Co-ordinator, said: “The first round at Bartley was our biggest ever Midlands Team15 event and with Draycote Warriors, and hopefully one or two more new clubs, set to join the fun at Draycote Water on Saturday we look like we may better that turnout once again.

“The Midlands Challenge events may be the first chance to race for many of the youngsters but primarily they are simply about bringing them altogether in one place to enjoy themselves and put what they have learned to the test. Carsington Comets are definitely the team to beat but Draycote Warriors will be keen to put on a good show on their home waters.”

Team15 is supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine, Neil Pryde and Boardwise.

To get involved with Team15 and to locate your nearest club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA on 0845 345 0400. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

6 July 2010

PITSFORD PIRATES BID TO TURN TABLES AT TEAM15 CHALLENGE 2

Northampton's team of up-and-coming young windsurfers will travel to Draycote Water near Rugby on Saturday (10 July) desperate to go one better than their opening event result as the second round of the 2010 RYA Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge comes to town.

Pitsford Pirates, based at Northampton Watersports, took second spot behind reigning Midlands champions Carsington Comets from Derbyshire at the opening 2010 Challenge event at Bartley Sailing Club in Birmingham last month with Pitsford's Joe Patrick, 11, taking victory in the 5.8m class.

The Team15 outfit posting the best results over the four Series events will be crowned Regional Champion and will represent the Midlands at the Champions Cup. With that Grand Final to be held on their home waters of Pitsford Water on 9-10 October, the Pirates will want to be the team that represents their region.

Pitsford Pirates are expected to be joined at Draycote by event one victors Carsington Comets, Redditch Renegades from Worcestershire, Birmingham outfit Edgbaston Eagles as well as host club Draycote Warriors.

Team15 is supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine, Neil Pryde and Boardwise.

To get involved with Team15 and to locate your nearest club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA on 0845 345 0400. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

1 July 2010

SAMPLE SAILING FOR FREE AT RUTLAND SC

Rutland Sailing Club invites you and your family to come to try sailing for FREE on Saturday 10 July.

The fun-filled Open Day at this local family friendly club runs from 10am-5pm and is guaranteed to offer something for everyone.

Whether it be getting your first taste of sailing under the watchful eye of Royal Yachting Association (RYA) instructors, having a ride in a motorboat or simply sampling the social side of what life at Rutland SC has to offer, the club Open Day doors are welcome to everyone just bring a change of clothes and soft soled shoes.

Snacks will be available all day with the bar open from noon. There will also be a free prize draw with the chance to win a sailing lesson.

Rutland SC is a recognised RYA Training Centre and a Volvo RYA Champion Club, meaning the club has been recognised for its commitment to youth sailing and race coaching. Rutland is also the East Midlands' designated Sailability Centre of Excellence, recognised as an example of best practice within disabled sailing. The grounds and clubhouse are wheelchair friendly.

Rutland SC is located on Rutland Water in Edith Weston near Oakham.

For more information about Rutland Sailing Club visit www.rutlandsc.co.uk or contact 01780 720292 or email.

23 June 2010

CARSINGTON COMETS TAKE THE LEAD IN YOUTH WINDSURFING CHAMPIONSHIP

Local youth windsurfing team and reigning Midlands Champions, the Carsington Comets battled tricky winds and stiff competition this weekend (Saturday 19 June) when they snatched a win in the opening round of the RYA's Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Championship.

Hosted at Youth Afloat at Bartley Sailing Club, the competition had a fantastic turnout of 32 local young windsurfing enthusiasts (aged 9-14) from four teams across Midlands, the Pitsford Pirates (Pitsford Water) Carsington Comets (Derbyshire), Edgbaston Eagles (Birmingham) and the Redditch Renegades (Redditch). For over half of these windsurfers this competition was their very first experience of sailing competitively.

Carsington Comet Jacob Palmer (14) who has been sailing for just three months sailed impressively into first place against 19 other competitors in the highly contested 3.5m class showing the competition is open to all levels of windsurfing, beginners included.

It was a double win for the Comets as they took first and second place in the 4.5m class with 14 year old George Marshall taking first place followed by George Atherton in second (both 14). Amongst those competing were brothers Jacob and Isaac Leech racing for the Pitsford Pirates.

A win came for the Pitsford Pirates in the 5.8m class as Joe Patrick (11) took the lead in every race, continuing his dominance from last year where he put in a brilliant performance in the 3.5m class. A merit award for the 'best comeback' was given to first time competitor 15 year old Iain Leiper (Edgbaston Eagles) who displayed some impressive sailing given his lack of experience and managed to catch up with the rest of the fleet even after some slow starts.

Comet Joe Seddon (13) took it one step further in the 6.8m class winning every race he sailed.

Organiser Ben Hodgson commented “Saturday's event was an excellent start to the championship. It was great to see some new teams this year with many new competitors, making it the biggest Midlands event yet. It was great to see a new venue hosting such a successful event.

Everybody involved seemed to enjoy themselves; despite the fact the wind was blowing offshore which was a massive challenge for the 3.5m class fleet. The Carsington Comets may have clung on to their dominance in this event but the Pirates will be desperate to win this year.”

Gillian Wright, RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer, said: “It's fantastic to see so many beginners taking part in this competition and using their new skills to win races.

“The Champions Cup provides the ultimate goal for Team15 clubs. It is the only kids' team championship event that exists for windsurfing and it is a real friendly, family event with fun competition.”

The team posting the best results over the four events will be crowned Regional Champion and will represent the Midlands Zone at the Team15 national final, the Champions Cup, held in later in the year.

16 June 2010

YOUNG WINDSURFERS PREPARE FOR BATTLE IN FIRST EVENT OF THE SEASON

It's one of Britain's coolest and fastest growing sports and on Saturday (19 June) a team of all-conquering young Derbyshire windsurfers will do battle in Birmingham at the opening round of the 2010 RYA Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge.

From Derbyshire, reigning Team15 Midlands champions, the Carsington Comets windsurfers, all aged 15 and under, will travel to Bartley Sailing Club looking to get the four-event 2010 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge series off to a flying start in a bid to once again qualify to represent the Midlands at the national Grand Final – the Team15 Champions Cup.

Rivals Notts County Outlaws Team15 windsurfers, also travel to Bartley Sailing Club to challenge the Comets to qualify to represent the Midlands at the national Final in October.

Northamptonshire's Pitsford Pirates windsurfers will also be competing. In March this year, Pitsford Pirates' quest to land the Midlands' Champions Cup spot received a boost as the club took delivery of £8,000 worth of brand new, state-of-the art kit courtesy of grants from Daventry District Council's 'Money for Youth' fund and the John Merricks Sailing Trust.

Set up to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at grassroots level, there are more than 80 Team15 clubs nationwide, which meet every week to allow kids to learn new skills and develop their racing talents under the guidance of specialist RYA coaches whilst having a laugh with their mates.

No fewer than eight teams from across both the West and East Midlands will go head-to-head at Bartley. But while enjoyment is at the top of the Inter-Club Challenge agenda, a true competitive edge is never far away.

Ben Hodgson, RYA Midlands Team15 Co-ordinator, said: “These are kids who may be brand new to the sport or who have been involved for a couple of years but all of whom just love getting out on the water and putting what they've learned to the test.

“Some may go on to take the sport seriously and become Olympic windsurfers while others may simply opt to pursue windsurfing as a hobby. The Inter-Club Challenge events let them experience competition which isn't all about who can go the fastest, lots of their other skills and talents are put to the test, with the overall prize being the chance to take on the country's best Team15 clubs at the Champions Cup.”

Redditch Renegades, who are based at Youth Afloat in Redditch and Bartley SC, are the host club for this year's first Midlands Challenge while Edgbaston Eagles will also fly the flag for Birmingham at the event. All teams will comprise 15 sailors and come from far afield as Derbyshire, Northampton, Rutland, Nottingham, Rugby and Bromsgrove.

The Team15 Champions Cup final will take place at Pitsford Water in Northampton on the weekend of 9-10 October where the winners of each of the 10 Team15 regional Inter-Club Challenge series' will battle it out for the national crown.

Gillian Wright, RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer, said: “The Champions Cup provides the ultimate goal for Team15 clubs. It is the only kids' team championship event that exists for windsurfing and it is a real friendly, family event with fun competition.”

Team15 is supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine, Neil Pryde and Boardwise. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low. Further details as to how you can get involved in Team15 can be found at www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.

1 June 2010

RUTLAND SAILABILITY SAILORS READY FOR HOME RULE AT 2010 ACCESS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Loughborough's Chris Emmet will be one of some 17 Rutland Sailability sailors set to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete in their premier international event on home waters when the 2010 Access World Championships and SKUD18 International Championships arrive at Rutland Sailing Club on Friday (4 June).

Raced by both disabled and able-bodied sailors, the Access class caters for all sailors regardless of physical, intellectual, emotional status and, with both one-person and two-person variations, it has become one of the most popular dinghies for enabling people with a disability to experience sailing and sail regularly.

A keen sailor before he developed multiple sclerosis and began to struggle with mobility and dexterity Chris, who is now in a wheelchair, was introduced to Rutland Sailability four years ago having given up all hope of ever taking the helm again.

But now he cannot wait for the chance to pit his wits against the World's best Access sailors on the stretch of water he knows better than any other.

Chris said: “When I developed multiple sclerosis I found it difficult to pull the boat up the slipway and was frustrated by the lack of dexterity in my fingers. I donated my beloved Mirror dinghy to our sailing club and for the next 20 odd years thought of sailing as a box of chocolates; don't go anywhere near and you won't be frustrated. Then by chance I met a member of Rutland Sailability, who like me was in a wheelchair. Not only was the box of chocolates open again, I could smell the cherry truffles!

“This is the first Worlds I'll have competed in and it's a great thing for your home club to host such an event. This is also the longest regatta I'll ever have taken part in and I'd love to try to win but I'm realistic about it. Whatever happens I don't know many people who can say they've competed in a World Championships in anything and that's so exciting for everyone at Rutland.”

Sailability is the RYA's charitable arm with Sailability clubs having a wide range of special facilities, such as hoists, launching ramps and specially-adapted changing rooms, and volunteers all with the aim of enabling disabled people to enjoy sailing. Rutland Sailablity, based at Rutland SC, is the RYA's East Midlands' Sailability Centre of Excellence meaning it is a recognised site of best practice and has extensive facilities to cater for sailors with a wide range of disabilities.

Racing gets underway at Rutland on Monday 7 June with medals being decided on Friday 11 June and Chris will sail with able-bodied crew Malcolm Kirk in the Access 303 two-person class, the pair having finished second in the nationwide Access Traveller Trophy last year.

Chris, who sails twice a week and has been training for the Worlds since March, admits his life has been turned on its head since discovering his disability would not stop him from excelling in the sport he loves.

He added: “My strong point as a sailor is my persistence, I just keep trying. I'm so proud of the fact I'm not sat at home not doing anything but taking full advantage of the opportunity to do something that's so good for me physically and mentally. There are so many wonderful people at Rutland who help me get the boat in and out of the water and help me get into the boat it makes me feel genuinely humbled.”

For more details in getting involved in Rutland Sailability visit www.rutland-sailability.org

19 May 2010

SAMPLE SAILING FOR FREE AT CARSINGTON SC

Carsington Sailing Club invites you and your family to come to try sailing for FREE on Saturday 29 May.

The fun-filled day at this local family friendly club runs from 10am-4pm and is guaranteed to offer something for everyone.

Whether it be getting your first taste of sailing under the watchful eye of Royal Yachting Association (RYA) instructors or simply sampling the social side of what life at Carsington SC has to offer, the club Open Day doors are welcome to all just make sure you bring a change of clothes, soft soled shoes and windproofs!

Carsington SC is a recognised RYA Training Centre and an RYA OnBoard and Sailability club. OnBoard is the RYA's successful nationwide grassroots initiative aimed at introducing more children to sailing and windsurfing while Sailability is the RYA's charitable arm enabling people with a disability to experience sailing regularly.

The club also hold Volvo RYA Champion Club status meaning it has been recognised as having a commitment to youth racing and race coaching.

The club is located near Ashbourne in Derbyshire on the B5035.

For more information about Carsington Sailing Club visit www.carsingtonsc.co.uk or contact lyn@carsingtonsc.co.uk

10 May 2010

BASTON'S BEX SAILS TO RYA ERIC TWINAME CHAMPIONSHIPS GLORY

Young Baston talent Bex Stowe is riding the crest of a wave after sailing to victory at the RYA Eric Twiname Championships this weekend (8-9 May) held at Rutland Water Sailing Club, Leicestershire.

Rutland Sailing Club's Bex, 14, finished a highly-creditable sixth overall in a competitive 69-strong Topper field to claim the top girl accolade in impressive fashion. Bex's success also helped her East Zone team land the second spot in the race for top overall dinghy prize.

Now in their 24th year, the Championships are the pinnacle of the racing calendar for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads, which are the first rung on the pathway ladder to Olympic classes sailing.

Some 325 sailors, all members of the RYA Zone/Home Country squads, took part at the Championships, which saw racing across six RYA Junior classes - the Optimist, Topper, Feva, Mirror and Cadet dinghy classes with the windsurfers racing on Bic Techno boards with 4.5m, 5.8m, 6.8m and 7.8m rigs.

Having endured testing high winds and driving rain on Saturday, the concluding day of the Championships brought far more favourable conditions for the competitors with the sun coming out to play and breezes dropping from 20 to 10-15 knots.

RYA Youth Racing Manager Duncan Truswell said: “I was particularly impressed with the tenacity of the competitors on Saturday and the quality of boat handling demonstrated in what were really quite breezy and cold conditions.

“It was a really worthy test for the winners with all the races being fiercely contested. I hope the experience will prove an ideal platform for the sailors to go on and contest National Junior Squad selections throughout this season.”

John Derbyshire, RYA Performance Director added: “The RYA Eric Twiname Championships are a fundamental rung in the development ladder for the young sailors, some of whom will have started at the absolute grassroots through the RYA's OnBoard and Team15 programmes and for those who we hope will eventually go on to represent Britain as seniors at the World's biggest Olympic Classes regattas.”

Thanks to the long-standing and ongoing support of the Eric Twiname Memorial Trust, the event, for sailors aged between eight and 15, is cheap to enter with almost all costs associated with the running of the regatta met by the RYA and the Trust.

Further event information about the 2010 RYA Eric Twiname Championships can be found at the RYA Racing Events website www.ryaracingevents.org.uk

Find out more about how to get involved in sailing and windsurfing at www.rya.org.uk

10 May 2010

NORTHAMPTON'S LUKE WINDSURFS TO RYA ERIC TWINAME CHAMPIONSHIPS GLORY

Young Brixworth sailor Luke Patrick is riding the crest of a wave after windsurfing to victory at the RYA Eric Twiname Championships this weekend (8-9 May) held at Rutland Water Sailing Club, Leicestershire.

Pitsford Pirates' Luke, 14, topped the pile in a competitive 21-strong field to claim Bic Techno 7.8 class glory by the narrowest of margins, finishing tied on points with second-place Matthew Barton but taking victory on countback.

Luke's success also helped his North Zone team claim the top overall windsurfing prize and second overall in the race for the prestigious Eric Twiname Shield awarded to the top performing zone at the event. Now in their 24th year, the Championships are the pinnacle of the racing calendar for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads, which are the first rung on the pathway ladder to Olympic classes sailing.

RYA Youth Racing Manager Duncan Truswell said: “I was particularly impressed with the tenacity of the competitors on Saturday and the quality of board handling demonstrated in what were really quite breezy and cold conditions.

Further event information about the 2010 RYA Eric Twiname Championships can be found at the RYA Racing Events website www.ryaracingevents.org.uk

Find out more about how to get involved in sailing and windsurfing at www.rya.org.uk

10 May 2010

NOTTINGHAM'S EMILY WINDSURFS TO RYA ERIC TWINAME CHAMPIONSHIPS GLORY

Young Nottingham sailor Emily Hall is riding the crest of a wave after windsurfing to victory at the RYA Eric Twiname Championships this weekend (8-9 May) held at Rutland Water Sailing Club, Leicestershire.

Notts County Sailing Club's Emily, 12, finished a highly-creditable fifth overall in a competitive 22-strong Bic Techno 6.8 class field to claim the top girl accolade in dominant fashion.

Emily's success also helped her North Zone team land the top overall windsurfing prize and second overall in the race for the prestigious Eric Twiname Shield awarded to the top performing zone at the event.

Now in their 24th year, the Championships are the pinnacle of the racing calendar for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads, which are the first rung on the pathway ladder to Olympic classes sailing.

Further event information about the 2010 RYA Eric Twiname Championships can be found at the RYA Racing Events website www.ryaracingevents.org.uk

Find out more about how to get involved in sailing and windsurfing at www.rya.org.uk

27 April 2010

SAMPLE SAILING FOR FREE AT BANBURY SC

Banbury Sailing Club invites you and your family to come to try sailing for FREE on Sunday 2 May.

The fun-filled day at this local family friendly club, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, runs from 2pm-5pm and is guaranteed to offer something for everyone.

Whether it be getting your first taste of sailing under the watchful eye of Royal Yachting Association (RYA) instructors or simply sampling the social side of what life at Banbury SC has to offer, the club Open Day doors are welcome to everyone.

There will be other activities going on and plenty of tea and cake.

Banbury SC is a recognised RYA Training Centre and an official RYA OnBoard club. OnBoard is the RYA's highly-successful nationwide grassroots initiative aimed at introducing more children to sailing and windsurfing and providing them with the opportunities to participate regularly.

The club is located on Boddingham Reservoir between Banbury and Daventry. Follow the signs from the A361.

For more information about Banbury Sailing Club visit www.banburysailing.org.uk or contact info@banburysailing.org.uk

23 April 2010

PITSFORD CHOSEN TO HOST TOP NATIONAL JUNIOR WINDSURFING GRAND FINAL

Pitsford Water will stage one of the most prestigious events on the national junior windsurfing calendar this year after the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) confirmed Northampton Watersports as the host venue for the 2010 Team15 Champions Cup.

Northampton Watersports Centre will welcome more than 100 competitors from 10 Team15 outfits from all over Britain on the weekend of 9-10 October for what is the showdown Grand Final of their summer of Team15 action.

Set up to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at grassroots level, there are more than 80 Team15 clubs nationwide, which meet every week to allow kids aged 15 and under to learn and practice new skills under the guidance of specialist RYA coaches whilst having fun with their mates.

Inter-club challenge series' are held in every one of the 10 Team15 regional zones throughout the summer and it is the triumphant club from each of the regional series' that will descend on Pitsford Water this autumn in a bid to claim the National crown.

“Pitsford Water has a fantastic feel to it, which we felt would suit the atmosphere of the Champions Cup. The facilities looked great and the staff were extremely friendly, helpful and accommodating.”

Northampton Watersports' own Team 15 club, Pitsford Pirates, narrowly missed out on making the Champions' Cup final last year but Jon Sweet, RYA Onboard Development Officer for Northamptonshire, insists the Pirates will be doing everything in their power to battle for the trophy on home waters.

He added: “The Pitsford Pirates will be training every Monday evening between now and October to improve their windsurfing and racing skills. We want as many of the Pirates team competing at the Midlands inter-club challenge events as possible this year to give the team the greatest chance of qualifying for the Cup.

“The Pirates have also recently benefited from £8,000 worth of new state-of-the-art windsurfing kit, which we hope will help them progress to a much higher level than they previously could at the club and make a serious bid for the Champions Cup.”

Meanwhile, Pitsford Pirates will be one of the Team15 clubs taking part in the nationwide Sunrise Sunset Challenge 2010 on Sunday 2 May to raise money for the Windsurf 4 Cancer Research charity.

A fun event, open to everyone, whether beginner or expert, entrants are encouraged to set their own challenge for the day and get as much sponsorship as they can from family, friends and colleagues. For more details of how to get involved in the Sunrise Sunset Challenge 2010 at Pitsford Water visit www.w4cr.org

Further details of you can get involved in Team15 can be found at www.team15.org.uk

19 April 2010

RUTLAND SAILABILITY TO GET BOOST FROM OAKHAM'S RECORD-BREAKING ROWER

Oakham's history-making ocean rower Sarah Outen will provide an evening of inspirational anecdotes when she brings her ‘With courage, nothing is impossible’ show to Oakham Museum this Saturday (24 April) in support of Rutland Sailability.

Sarah became the first woman to row single-handed across the Indian Ocean last year when she completed the mind-blowing 4,000 miles from Australia to Mauritius in 124 days also claiming World records for being the youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean and the youngest woman to complete any ocean row.

The 24-year-old former Stamford High School pupil and Oxford graduate will be sharing her unique experiences at the evening, hosted by BBC East Midlands Today's Sarah Teale, to raise funds for Rutland's celebrated disability sailing charity.

Sailability is the Royal Yachting Association's (RYA) charitable arm enabling people with a disability to experience sailing and sail regularly and Rutland Sailability is the East Midlands' designated Sailability Centre of Excellence meaning it is a recognised example of best practice within disabled sailing.

Ray Johnson, RYA Sailability Regional Organiser for the East Midlands, said: “It is a great privilege that Sarah has kindly agreed to support Rutland Sailability at her hometown ‘With courage, nothing is impossible’ evening. Hers is a truly inspirational story and one that resonates deeply with what RYA Sailability is all about.”

The evening, supported by Rutland County Council, gets underway at 7.30pm and tickets are £8 / £6 concessions available by calling 01572 758441 or visiting www.rutland.gov.uk

For more information about getting involved in disability sailing visit www.rya.org.uk/programmes/ryasailability

9 March 2010

MORE SILVERWARE FOR HANNINGTON SAILING CHAMP LUCY

Hannington's European sailing champion Lucy Childs added another award to her increasingly crammed trophy cabinet on Friday (25 March) as she received a special honour from the RYA East Midlands in recognition for being named a 2009 RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year.

Lucy, who along with helm Alice Kent attends Oakham School in Rutland, shot to prominence last summer as the girls were crowned Ladies' RS Feva European Champions at Lake Garda, Italy in July while also taking the silver medal for finishing second overall.

Having received their official RYA East Midlands Regional Young Sailor of the Year accolade from Skandia Team GBR star and three-time Olympic champion sailor Ben Ainslie at the London International Boat Show in January, the girls returned to the more familiar surrounds of Oakham School where RYA East Midlands Regional Chairman Howard Nelson presented them with a special trophy from the region.

Howard Nelson said: “We felt very strongly that Alice and Lucy's achievements should also be recognised by the RYA East Midlands region and we're delighted to present them with this award. The girls are great role models for young sailors throughout the East Midlands who want to do well in their racing.”

Lucy, who started sailing seriously aged 10 at Northampton Sailing Club before joining up with Alice in the Feva in September 2007, is now training for selection for the RYA Volvo Youth 29er Transition Squad with Alice.

The girls have a busy season of racing ahead – next week they travel to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy – home of the 2012 Olympic sailing competition – for the 2010 RYA Volvo Youth National Championships and Trials before preparing for the 29er Europeans in Spain in July and the 29er Nationals in North Wales in August.

Lucy, 16, admits they are looking forward to their first season racing against the country's top Under 19 sailors in the 29er two-person high-performance dinghy class.

She said: “We feel the events will be a challenge but as we progress through each one we will learn a lot on the way and hopefully will have improved our sailing a lot by the end of the our first season in the boat.

“We're very grateful to the RYA East Midlands for this award and want to say a special thank you to our parents, Mr Nick Neve at Oakham School and also to Blue Ocean Wireless for sponsoring us throughout our last year in the Feva.”

As members of the RYA's National Junior and Youth programmes, the girls have access to the RYA's highly-subsidized World Class National Training Programme designed to help Britain's top young sailors achieve future international success.

26 February 2010

MIDLANDS' RYA INSTRUCTORS READY TO GET LOWDOWN ON LATEST

They are the people who train us to become the best and safest sailors, windsurfers and powerboat drivers we can be when we head out on to the water. But this weekend (27-28 February), it will be the turn of some 180 RYA instructors from across the Midlands to go back to school at the 2010 East and West Midlands RYA Regional Instructor Conferences.

With the East Midlands Conference being held at Rutland SC on Saturday and the West Midlands' at Bartley SC on Sunday, the conferences give those who will be doing the teaching again this season the chance to make sure their skills and knowledge are bang up-to-date so you can be confident what you learn at any RYA Training course are the latest developments and techniques.

There will be opportunities for the instructors to take part in sessions afloat and ashore and to also try out the some of the newest kit and equipment from leading manufacturers in the industry.

Among those lined up to present at the conferences are RYA Training Manager James Stevens and Gareth Brookes, RYA Regional Development Officer for the Midlands, while sessions will be delivered by the region's top coaches and trainers.

Gareth said: “The conferences are a great opportunity for everyone to get together at the start of the season and not only enjoy an update and refresher on coaching skills, styles and techniques but share knowledge and information with each other for the good of boating across the Midlands.”

To find out more about becoming an RYA instructor or taking an RYA Training course visit www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining

25 February 2010

NATIONAL EXHIBITION STAGE FOR CARSINGTON SPORTS & LEISURE

Ashbourne's Carsington Sports and Leisure will be spreading the word on what they can offer to Britain's sailing community next month when the centre attends the 2010 RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, the World's only exhibition dedicated to dinghy sailing.

At the show, which takes places at Alexandra Palace, London on 6-7 March, Carsington Sports and Leisure will be able to share information about their RYA-endorsed training school and let up to 10,000 visitors over the two days know what makes Carsington Water such a special place to sail.

The centre will also be able to let budding young windsurfers know how they can get involved in the RYA's Team15 grassroots windsurfing initiative through their own Carsington Comets Team15 club, while the show provides people with the chance to chat to Carsington Sports and Leisure about the boating and watersports facilities throughout Derbyshire and what else there is to do in and around the area.

The ever popular RYA Volvo Dinghy Show boasts loads of free advice, workshops and talks, as well as being packed with dinghies galore from timeless classics to the very latest in design. There are hundreds of exhibitors so everyone, whether complete newbie or hardy seadog, will find something to improve their sailing.

Meanwhile clubs in the East Midlands looking to increase membership, participation and develop what they can offer using the wide array of resources the RYA can provide are all invited to the 2010 Club Development Conference at the show.

A host of Skandia Team GBR's most famous medal winners will also be on hand passing on expert advice and tips and presenting prizes. Two-time Olympic champion Sarah Ayton and Beijing 2008 windsurfing bronze medalist Bryony Shaw are expected to be amongst the stars at the show.

For full details about the 2010 RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, including ticket information, can be found at visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk

24 February 2010

AWARD BOOST FOR TOP LEICESTERSHIRE SAILOR WOOD

Up-and-coming Stoney Stanton sailor Mike Wood's hopes of enjoying a successful 2010 season have been boosted after he received a Go Gold funding award from Leicestershire and Rutland Sport.

The 18-year-old, who was crowned Topper World Champion in 2007, is now part of the Royal Yachting Association's (RYA) prestigious Volvo National Youth Squad and sails a 420 two-person dinghy with Northampshire sailor Hugh Brayshaw.

The pair, who spend much time training at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), home of the 2012 Olympic sailing regatta, have a busy year ahead as they bid to qualify for, and medal at, the 420 World Championships in Israel in July and the 420 Junior Europeans in the South of France in July.

As part of the RYA Volvo Youth Squad Draycote Water SC's Wood has access to the RYA's highly-subsidized World Class National Training Programme designed to help Britain's top young sailors achieve future international success.

But Wood admits additional awards such as the £1,000 boost from Go Gold are invaluable in enabling him to run an increasingly professional campaign in his quest for future sailing glory. He said: “Without such grants I would really struggle to continue competing as I would not be able to get to all the events and vital training I need to do to give myself the best chance of progressing in the sport. Most of our training at the moment is at WPNSA, which is a four-hour drive away, and with the Worlds in Israel it all soon adds up. I am very grateful to have received this grant.”

Wood began sailing at the Saturday morning 'kids club' at Bosworth Water Trust in Leicestershire having got his first taste for sailing on a family holiday. He has been sailing competitively since 2004 when he was selected for the RYA Topper West Zone Squad. At the end of this season he hopes to make the move into the larger 470 class, which is the two-person dinghy sailed at the Olympic Games.

Howard Nelson, RYA East Midlands chairman, said: “Mike is an inspiration to young sailors throughout the region who want to get on in their sailing and we wish him all the best for the season. There are many opportunities for youngsters who wish to, like Mike, go from being recreational sailors to racing sailors in the East Midlands, especially through the RYA Volvo Champion Club scheme, which recognises clubs with a commitment to youth sailing and race coaching.”

Also receiving a Go Gold award was Blaby sailor Tom Wright, who has enjoyed significant success in the Musto Skiff, coming second at the 2009 Youth Europeans having taken the Youth World title in 2008. The Go Gold scheme, backed by Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council, is aimed at supporting young athletes who are in full-time education to help them meet their training and competition costs. Both Mike and Tom now become Go Gold ambassadors. For more information about sailing and racing opportunities in the East Midlands visit www.rya.org.uk

22 February 2010

NATIONAL EXHIBITION STAGE FOR RUTLAND SAILING CLUB

Rutland Sailing Club will be spreading the word on what they can offer to Britain's sailing community next month when the club attends the 2010 RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, the World's only exhibition dedicated to dinghy sailing. In what will be their 10th consecutive year of exhibiting at the show, which takes places at Alexandra Palace, London on 6-7 March, Rutland SC will be able to share information about their RYA-endorsed training school and let up to 10,000 visitors over the two days know what makes Rutland Water such a special place to sail.

As a venue for staging many high profile international and national regattas in 2010, including disability sailing World and National championships and the RYA Eric Twiname Championships, the show provides people attending events with the chance to chat to Rutland SC about the club's facilities and what there is to do in and around the area.

Tickets brought in advance cost £11 for adults and £5 for children (5-16 years), while for RYA members the cost is £9 for adults and free for children. All children go free on Sunday if accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can also be purchased on the door for £13 adult and £6.50 child. Tickets can be booked online at http://www.dinghyshow.org.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 811 0409.

09 February 2010

Nottingham Jet Ski World champ honoured at RYA National Powerboat Awards

Nottingham's multiple Jet Ski World champion Anya Colley joined the cream of the UK's powerboat and jet sport fraternity as their 2009 achievements were celebrated at the annual RYA National Powerboat Racing Awards last weekend (Saturday 6 February).

Held at the prestigious De Vere Royal Bath hotel in Bournemouth, 50 of the UK's best racers from the disciplines of jet sport, offshore and circuit racing claimed their awards at the ceremony, which was hosted by Shelley Jory Leigh, the World's leading female powerboat driver.

Long Eaton's Anya, 17, only started racing jet skis in 2005 but last year added two more World titles – the World Expert Ski Limited and the World Amateur Ski Open – to her World crown haul now making it an astonishing seven in three seasons. Her latest successes came at the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) World Finals in Lake Havasu, USA in October with both titles secured in male dominated adult fleets.

Known as 'Pink Lady' in the fleets, Anya also helped Great Britain clinch the World Finals Nations Cup for the country that wins the most World titles. Speaking at the ceremony, Anya said: “This is my third year at the awards and I think they are wonderful and really well done. It's a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate what they've achieved and have their moment in the spotlight. Not many people know about jet sport so it's a great opportunity for the other disciplines to hear what we've been doing and for us to hear about all the other sports and what they've achieved.”

John Puddifoot, RYA Powerboat Racing manager, added: “Year after year the UK's powerboat racers excel both nationally and internationally doing their country proud and we hold our awards to celebrate these successes. It is also the one opportunity that our champions from every discipline get the chance to get together.”

To find out more about how you can get involved with any of the power racing disciplines visit the RYA website http://www.rya.org.uk or call the RYA Powerboat Racing team on 0845 345 0378.