Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 TOP

Poole Harbour proves good challenge for youngsters at OnBoard regatta

by RYA Media on 6 Oct 2009
Poole Onboard competitors RYA http://www.rya.org.uk
Forty eight youngsters aged between nine and 14 took to the water on Saturday (26th September) to improve their sailing skills and compete in a series of races at the OnBoard Regatta 2009.

The event, hosted by Harbour Challenge at Brownsea Island, was a great opportunity for the youngsters, including beginners, to enjoy a day of racing in Pico class dinghies provided by Harbour Challenge and Rockley Watersports.

The children, sailing in pairs, were split into two fleets according to ability. All had been invited to attend from the Onboard teams of their local clubs including Harbour Challenge, Rockley Watersports, Poole Yacht Club and Swanage Sailing Club.

They went on to compete in some five or six races in fabulous late summer weather, although racing was a bit tricky in the light winds.


Fleet winners were Mollie McVey and Jennifer Condie in the red fleet and Sam Dooley and Max Whaley in the orange fleet.

Both pairs came from Swanage Sailing Club. Mollie, aged 10, and from Swanage commented “ Winning was my favourite part of the day. This is the first medal I have ever won in anything. I loved it!” This was Jennifer’s and Mollie’s first taste of racing - they’ve only been sailing for a year.

The red fleet was for the beginners, and the orange fleet was for those sailors who had been sailing for more than just this season. All the children had got into sailing through the Onboard (OB) scheme and are currently regularly participating at their local OB clubs. All the helpers and volunteers are or have been involved with OB at their clubs too.

Despite their inexperience sailors in the red fleet did particularly well, especially Josh and Matthew Brunyee from Rockley OB club, who battled hard all day and finished in 2nd place overall. They received the consistency prize for the day, not for winning but always being in the top four in every race.

In the orange fleet after a slow start Jacob Williamson from Harbour Challenge, managed to gain a 1st place in one of the afternoon races to get himself into the top three places. However, despite eventually finishing fourth due to the scoring system of discards, he has remarkable talent and could be a future sailing star. He has already won the Parkstone Yacht Club OB regatta in August.

Pip Woods, the OnBoard Development Officer who organised the event said “It’s been an absolutely fantastic day. It’s been such a great experience for me to see so many children enjoying the regatta. Two years ago most of these children hadn’t even sailed and this has all happened as a result of the Onboard scheme. It was great to see four clubs being represented here today. I am proud to be involved and today just proves that Onboard is making a difference!!'

The event was supported by Harken, RS, and Laser Performance. Run by sailing’s National Governing Body, the RYA, OnBoard is a highly successful industry supported grass roots programme which seeks to make sailing easier to get into for young people.

Over a ten year period the programme aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants. So far it’s nicely on track.

For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA’s website www.rya.org.uk or the OnBoard website www.ruob.co.uk.
Maritimo M50Barton Marine Pipe GlandsMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities.
Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition.
Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing.
Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home.
Posted on 4 Aug
ClubSwan 28 American Series launched
US-based regatta series unites high-performance design with competitive racing. Nautor Swan today announces the launch of the ClubSwan 28 American Series in collaboration with Terry Hutchinson and American Magic, a new high-performance racing circuit designed to ignite competitive sailing in the U.S.
Posted on 4 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon...
Posted on 4 Aug
Safe Harbor Race Weekend starts Friday
Exciting racing, unforgettable shoreside festivities on tap Ever growing in popularity and caliber, the three-day Safe Harbor Race Weekend will host an impressive fleet of 73 boats on August 8 when it begins its fifth annual edition in Newport, R.I.
Posted on 4 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind.
Posted on 4 Aug