New windsurf board awarded to committed young North Wales windsurfer

Jack Shorrocks © Hamish Stuart

Jack Shorrocks © Hamish Stuart

A young North Wales windsurfer has been given an early Christmas present – but one that would take a lot of wrapping paper.

Colwyn Bay Watersport's Jack Shorrocks has been awarded a new windsurfing board thanks to the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST), the official charity partner of the RYA OnBoard (OB) programme, for the third year running.

Shorrocks, aged 10 from Llandudno, was one of 11 youngsters selected from hundreds of applications after competing in the RYA Zone and Home Country Championships, which took place at eight venues across the UK this September.

The North Wales squad windsurfer has been involved in the sport for more than a year at Colwyn Bay Watersports, after taking part in a taster session along with Mum Olivia as a ninth birthday present. He has been awarded with a Bic Techno 2930D windsurf board, alongside five other young windsurfers around the UK. Five more have been granted Topper boats.

"I found it tough at first, I could not stand up for a while, but by the end of the session I had mastered standing, I could move a little and I was hooked," admitted Jack.

"Then I pestered my Mum to get me more sessions. I joined the T15 club in Colwyn Bay and had some great coaches. I have tried to go to as many sessions as possible also I have enjoyed open training with Ali Yates.

"I have really enjoyed improving my skills and more recently learning how to race. I really enjoy the thrill and the wind in my hair I also surprisingly I enjoy falling in. I enjoy going fast, free styling and racing.

"I am really happy to get into the North Wales squad and I would love to represent my country one day. This board and sail will increase my chance to represent my country because I can practice anywhere, anytime."

RYA OnBoard Operations Officer, Cat Ferguson, added; "We are delighted with the number of applications we received, and selecting recipients was a really difficult task.

"Each sailor selected has shown lots of enthusiasm, talent and commitment to the sport. This year we have awarded five Toppers and six Bic Techno windsurf boards, and we believe these will provide these young sailors with the opportunity to progress their skills with the highest quality equipment.

"Young people who may not ordinarily have been able to participate will be able to continue sailing and hopefully go on to achieve their goals".

Over a five year period, the scheme will see the JMST donate more than 50 single-handed junior pathway boats and boards to promising sailors. Each year, at least one young sailor is selected from each of the RYA Zones and Home Countries to receive two years of exclusive use of the boat or board donated by the Trust. Following this, the boat or board will be donated to the sailor's original club or training centre to benefit club training programmes and enable other young sailors to benefit in the future and progress into club, regional and national racing activities.

Ian Walker, JMST Trustee and double Olympic silver medallist commented; "The John Merricks Sailing Trust is committed to supporting the RYA OnBoard initiative for 5 years and it is wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of these keen young sailors every year.

"John Merricks himself benefitted from a similar boat loan scheme at a young age and went on to be one of the Britain's best sailors. We have already seen some excellent performances from the young sailors helped by this scheme and would like to thank the RYA for all the hard work that lies behind it."

JMST seeks to help young sailors and youth sailing organisations to achieve their goals and was set up in the memory of 1996 Olympic silver medallist John Merricks.

Run by the RYA, OnBoard is a grass roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged 8 to 18, through schools, youth groups and training centres.

Over a ten year period OnBoard has introduced more than 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting more than 10% of them into regular participants.

For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit www.rya.org.uk/go/onboard