Thanks to Grainne and Penny for this latest news from the Island Youth Water Activities Centre. Ed
The Island Youth Water Activities Centre’s (IYWAC) board of Trustees has recently accepted Mike Acton’s resignation as manager of the Centre effective from March or April 2014.
After 22 years Mike, one of IYWAC’s founding fathers, has decided to move on to new ventures. The Trustees are very pleased that Mike will still be available to teach and assist as a consultant and he will also be volunteering as a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Leader.
IYWAC replaced the IOW Council Sailing Centre in 1991, when this organisation was about to be reduced to seasonal status, a move which would effectively have seen the demise of the Centre. For an Island community this was a sad situation. When Mike first became manager there were opportunities for Island youngsters to sail aboard the yacht, Wight Wizard (a Contessa 32) and to gain dinghy sailing experience in four rather battered Wayfarers.
The number of sessions run for Island youth averaged at about 1,700 and, apart from some opportunities for adult sailing, courses only ran during the late Spring and Summer months.
The Centre was based in the same ‘Tardis’ like wooden hut as now, but the facilities were more 18th century than late 19th century, basic, rundown, spartan and very, very cramped. The only changing facilities were in the lavatory/shower rooms and all equipment was on its last legs, despite painstaking work undertaken by the full time bo’sun, Malcolm.
Centre has flourished
Under Mike’s leadership the Centre has flourished, providing, in peak years, more than 8,000 individual sessions on the water for Island youngsters.
The Centre’s fleet, currently nine Picos, six Teras, two Vagos, three Bahias, a Vareo, two Flying 15s, a Seaquest 32 yacht, four safety boats and a fleet of paddle sport boats: sit-ons, canadians canoes and kayaks, has been up-graded , modernised and enlarged.
‘Fit for purpose’
The facilities have been made much more ‘fit for purpose’ too and opportunities to take RYA theory classes, VHF radio classes and First Aid certificates have been expanded.
Young sailors and paddlers have had opportunities to gain RYA and BCU qualifications, to undertake D of E expeditions afloat, to race in Cowes Week and on Tuesday evenings as well as to enjoy ‘fun’ sessions and clubs.
‘Paddiywack’ flew the Island’s Olympic flag in the form of a fabulous spinnaker in 2008 and there have been trophies for cross- Channel JOG races, Nab Tower races and ASTO races. Children from Island schools have learned new skills, gained confidence and self-belief. For some young people IYWAC has provided a life-line and saved youngsters from slipping into a life on the wrong side of the law.
Proud to be involved
Mike is justifiably proud of the number of young people who have started at IYWAC perhaps attending Friday Club or taking a course, and who have returned as staff members.
Over the last few years, the staff induction days have normally seen more than twenty people attending. Many youngsters, who have taken initial qualifications through IYWAC, have moved on to jobs in other Centres, some have taken up opportunities abroad.
Mike’s own skills and qualifications have also grown and changed over the years. His desktop publishing skills have been honed through the full colour design and production of the Centre brochure – something of a new branch in his skill set to add to his more water based collection.
‘My life’s work
Some months ago Mike referred to IYWAC as ‘his life’s work’ but he has reached a stage where he wants to move on. It is time for a fresh vision to move the Centre into its next stage and to further develop all the opportunities and life chances IYWAC has to offer.
Meanwhile Mike is also hoping to venture into pastures new, or perhaps more accurately onto a new deck, and to spend a bit more time in the sun with his wife, Penny.
