RYA Chief Executives Tour Northern England's Clubs and Facilities
Spunky RYA CEO, Sara Sutcliffe, bounces across Northern England's sailing clubs and centers for three gut-busting days. Surrounded by geezers and gals, instructors, and sea dogs, she gathers first-hand intel on what the grassroots sailing and boating communities are cranking on. Accompanied by Adam McGovern, they traverse the nation, providing a platform for those on the ground to be heard and local initiatives to flourish.
Kicking off with a special event at Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre to celebrate 20 years of the RYA's OnBoard programme, schoolkids showed off their hogwash skills, while politicians, press, and VIPs gathered to hear testimonies on the initiative's lasting impact and unwavering commitment. Sara later get-togethers with Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club members, including Commodore Rhian Bramwell and her merry crew.
Day two finds Sara down south at the West Pennine Windsurfing Club, where conversations revolve around dwindling water levels due to a parched spring and pressure on drinking water. Eastwards to Welton Waters Adventure Centre, a bustling RYA Recognized Training Centre and a significant training provider in the North East on a budget, lots of get-togethers happen. It's chatfest with Pete and Sue from the center, along with RYA Sailing Development Officer, Paul Adams, discussing instructor development and plans to introduce windfoiling.
Exciting stuff happens at Yeadon Sailing Club and Leeds Sailing & Activity Centre, showcasing an inclusive, welcoming vibe from the get-go. The innovative fee structure, inviting new members from the community, has resulted in a significant rise in membership. To top it off, Yeadon has found a new revenue stream selling bird food to passers-by, who can't resist feeding the waterfowl.
Ripon Sailing Club hosts Sara next, where a regional volunteer team drives participation and development in the North East. Discussions center around the club's ambition to earn British Sailing Pathway Club status and scooping up fifth place at the RYA Youth Nationals for ILCA6 racer, 17-year-old Ethan Wild.
The final day starts in Ripon, then treks to Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club, a prominent, active club in the North East accommodating various watersports. Snacks included a yummy homemade chocolate cake. Topics of interest were Sailability development, facility upgrades, and fortifying their windsurfing offer, which is considered the best in the region.
Rounding off the tour, Sara heads to the Ovington Boats factory in Tynemouth to witness the creation of world-class dinghies, including Olympian favorites like the 49ers. Boogying down to Wednesday night racing at Tynemouth Sailing Club, Adam and James race a GP14 alongside locals, with playful dolphins tagging along the fleet.
"Everywhere we went, we found hordes of passionate volunteers bringing communities together," Sara stated. "It's our gig to help those workhorses grow and adapt so we can inspire and connect more people to the delights of sailing and boating."
Adam expressed gratitude for Sara's insights: "Sara's visit has been priceless in strengthening relationships and demonstrating the RYA's ear is always ready for our network's challenges and triumphs."
Sports and windsurfing are central topics at the West Pennine Windsurfing Club, where conversations revolve around dwindling water levels due to a parched spring and pressure on drinking water, and plans to introduce windfoiling are discussed. At Yeadon Sailing Club and Leeds Sailing & Activity Centre, the innovative fee structure welcoming new members has resulted in a significant rise in membership, showcasing an inclusive, welcoming vibe.
