Young people gearing up for ASTO Dartmouth to Gosport Small Ships Race

by Anna Wardley on 20 Aug 2016 Young people from all over the UK are gearing up for an exciting nautical challenge as they arrive in Dartmouth today (Saturday 20 August) for the countdown to the start of the inaugural ASTO Dartmouth to Gosport Small Ships Race.

The 160-nautical mile race starts on Monday 22 August and is expected to finish in Gosport on Wednesday 24 August.

Almost 200 young people from a wide range of backgrounds will be sailing under the banner of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO), the UK’s Sail Training umbrella organisation.

Almost all of the 23 sail training vessels lining up to sail in the regatta are ASTO members. At least half of the crew on board each vessel will be under 25 with the youngest sailors being just 12 years old. The majority of the young people who will take part have never sailed before and will be experiencing the life-changing potential of Sail Training for the first time.

There will be a parade of sail down the River Dart at 11am on Monday before the race start at 2pm, which is likely to take place off Slapton Sands depending on wind conditions. The best vantage point to view the Parade of Sail will be the Embankment in Dartmouth where there will be live commentary.

Lucy Gross, General Manager of ASTO, said: “I am delighted that our Dartmouth to Gosport Small Ships Race is so well supported. A total of 23 Sail Training vessels from 13 separate organisations are taking part giving young people the chance to sail overnight from Dartmouth. The fact that ASTO is based in Gosport, where the race will finish, makes it even more special and I hope many more young people will be inspired to take part in similar adventures.”

A special welcome awaits the young crews when they arrive in Gosport on Wednesday 24 August no later than 2pm. A 250-strong crew parade will commence outside Gosport Town Hall at 5pm before proceeding down Gosport High Street and along the Millennium Walk. The crews will then cross Haslar Bridge and enter Hornet Services Sailing Club where the prize-giving ceremony will be held.

The Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Lynn Hook, will start the crew parade and then present prizes in conjunction with Commodore Peter Wykeham-Martin, Commodore of Hornet Services Sailing Club.

The Royal Dart Yacht Club in Dartmouth will host the fleet as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations and the club has sponsored a group of young people to sail on board the Brixham Sailing Trawler Provident.

Royal Dart Yacht Club Commodore, Clive Bennett, said: 'As a club we are extremely proud of our heritage, but are also constantly keeping an eye on the future by offering support and encouragement to young sailors.

We’re delighted to be providing a sailing challenge to some local young people who may otherwise not get this opportunity and to be hosting this prestigious event.'

ASTO, the Association of Sail Training Organisations, is a registered charity with a membership made up of more than 30 not-for-profit bodies that operate more than 50 vessels around the UK. ASTO members offer year round Sail Training opportunities all over the UK, around Europe and also further afield in locations such as the Canaries and the Caribbean.

ASTO is running the Dartmouth to Gosport Small Ships Race in partnership with the Royal Dart Yacht Club and Gosport Marine Scene, a not-for-profit organisation promoting Gosport as a centre of excellence for yachting including promoting opportunities for local youngsters.

Peter Cardy, Secretary of Gosport Marine Scene, said: “We're delighted that ASTO’s Small Ships Race is coming to Gosport next week. Part of our job is to promote the town as the finest centre for yachts and yachting services on the South Coast, so it's also a chance to showcase the huge range of services and facilities we have here. The commercial marinas and yachting service providers are always keen to encourage the Sail Training vessels to visit. Once they've seen how much we have to offer, we hope to see them here again throughout the year during their regular programmes.”

Amongst the young people on board for the Small Ships Race will be seven teenagers from Gosport taking part in the Marine Futures Programme, a six-month course of team building activities and sail training designed to fit around school commitments.

Cllr John Beavis MBE Chairman of Community Safety Partnership and Gosport Marine Scene Advisor said: “Since April, ten young people from Gosport have been engaged in the Gosport Marine Scene’s Marine Futures Programme with a whole programme of on the water activities including a residential week at UKSA on the Isle of Wight.

“The programme culminates with the ASTO Small Ships Race from Dartmouth to Gosport and the Marine Futures team are really excited about this and aiming for a podium finish into their hometown. The young sailors will parade along Gosport High Street and the Millennium Walk into Hornet Services Sailing Club for the prize giving will be something very special as it will be the first time this event has come to Gosport.”