RS Tera to become an RYA recognised Junior Class

by Ellie Williamson / RYA on 15 Jul 2010 The RYA has added the RS Tera dinghy to it’s growing number of Recognised Junior classes, deeming the single-handed dinghy class well placed in enabling sailors to progress their racing skills and enjoy a lifetime with the sport.

The RYA Racing Committee endorsed the RYA Youth Steering Group’s (YSG) request to grant the RS Tera recognition after the Class Association worked with the RYA over the past months to satisfy the status granting criteria during the successful application process.

The RYA YSG, a committee of volunteers who are responsible for endorsing policy, advising, challenging and liaising RYA Racing staff, aims to create the optimum framework of Youth and Junior Racing through maintaining a healthy vibrant and inclusive climate of Racing and Race Training in the UK for young sailors. And the addition of the RS Tera class to the RYA’s programme is an exciting step.

Duncan Truswell, RYA Youth Racing Manager commented: 'The RS Tera, which is the first class to be recognised at this status since the inception of a revised policy in the spring of 2009, delivers a comprehensive programme of domestic competition for a wide range of abilities.

'The class has established itself as a popular and versatile training, and race training boat which already has a strong representation within some key clubs and centres.

He continued: 'We hope that by working more closely with the Tera Class Association we will be able to provide a more robust pathway for sailors to progress from introductory schemes within clubs and centres to regular participation in racing and race training providing them with a vehicle to enjoy a lifetime within the sport.

'Facilitated via a growing number of Tera fleets in clubs as well as increasingly established regional and national class association activity, the Tera provides straight forward and clear progression into regular racing activities.'

'The YSG are keen to commend the hard work of the volunteers within the class who have worked hard to ensure that the criteria are met and offered a useful test of the revised policy,' he concluded.

The YSG intend to publish the timeline for the consideration of any further applications for class recognition, as well as the process to review existing class recognition status’ in the near future.

The RYA will now help support the class association in moving their training forward to provide more opportunities for junior sailing progression.

For more information about the RYA, please go to: www.rya.org.uk

And for further information about the RS Tera Class, go to: www.rs-association.com