Well done to all who took part. Looks like you had a great time. This in from the council. Ed
Thirty young sailors gathered at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Fishbourne on Saturday 30 October for the Isle of Wight Sailing Academy’s first training session of the season.
Run by the Isle of Wight Council’s Sports Unit, the academy aims to improve youth racing standards across the Island, bringing together young sailors from different clubs to create a pathway from club sailing to national events and squads.
Second year for Academy
The Isle of Wight Sailing Academy is in its second year and runs throughout the winter to prepare young people for the start of the spring sailing season.
Following last year’s academy, the Isle of Wight had one of the strongest youth sailing teams ever to take to the World Island Youth Games. It is hoped by introducing the Laser Class to this year’s Academy that talent can be developed for future NatWest Island Games.
At the first training session, six qualified coaches put the group through their paces, working on a full range of racing skills, from starting techniques to mark rounding. Although a chilly day the sun was shining with winds near perfect, at a westerly force three to four.
Great weather for first session
Susie Moore, the Isle of Wight Council’s Watersports Development Officer, said: “The first session of the training went really well, we had great weather conditions which meant we could maximise time spent out on the water.
“The coaches were really impressed with the standard of sailors and how quickly the group improved during the day.”
Cllr George Brown, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet Member for the Economy, Tourism, Leisure, Planning and Property, said: “The Isle of Wight Sailing Academy plays an important role in developing talented young sailors and assisting them in progressing to a national level.”
The Isle of Wight Sailing Academy meets once a month, the next session takes place on Saturday 27 November.
