Boats and boards awarded to RYA OnBoard sailors

Nina Harrison (Scotland) © LVSC

Promising young sailors from across the UK have been awarded their very own boats and windsurfers thanks to the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST), the official charity partner of the RYA OnBoard programme.

The youngsters were 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.

"We're delighted to have once again teamed up the JMST to be able to help these ambitious youngsters who may not ordinarily have had the opportunity, to progress in the sport" said RYA OnBoard Operations Officer Hannah Cockle. "They've all shown such enthusiasm and commitment and having the highest quality equipment will really make a difference".

These young sailors will now be able to enjoy two years' exclusive use of their boat or board before it is goes to their club for other young sailors to continue benefitting from it in the future.

The 2017 winners are:

Topper

• Arlo Turner (Glossop SC, Derbyshire)
• Alistair Todd (County Antrim YC, Northern Ireland)
• Nina Harrison (Loch Venachar SC, Scotland)
• Dylan Stevenson (Fairlop OAC, Essex)
• Anna Foster (Goring Thames SC, Berkshire)

• Erin Tinkler (Scaling Dam SC, N Yorkshire)
• James Gosson (Llangorse SC, Wales)

• Thomas Millard (Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre, Portsmouth)
• Rudy McWilliams (North Lincs and Humberside SC)
• Alexander Meadway (Swanage SC, Dorset)
• Clay Yelland (OTC, Portland)

Clay Yelland (South West) - photo © Paul Wyeth / RYA

Nina Harrison (11) who lives in Dunblane, only started sailing in May after attending a Push the Boat Out Open Day got bitten by the bug so quickly she spent the rest of this year taking part in junior training at her club.

Nina said: "I really enjoy learning and sailing in high winds. I even sailed in the tail of Hurricane Irma, which was the highlight of my week and an amazing experience! One of my favourite things to do out on the water is hiking and racing because it's always pushing you to your limits.

"I think if I keep up my hard work I will be able to get onto the British team as sailing is my new passion. If I had it my way I would spend all my time on the water practicing."

This is the fifth year the JMST and OnBoard have partnered to donate single-handed junior pathway boats and boards to promising young sailors who may not ordinarily have had the opportunity or financial backing to achieve their goals. No fewer than 64 boats and boards have been donated since 2012.

RYA OnBoard is the nationwide grassroots programme, run by sailing's national governing body, giving young people aged 8 to 18 the opportunity to learn to sail at low cost. Meanwhile the JMST, set up in memory of 1996 Olympic silver medallist John Merricks, supports young sailors and youth sailing organisations

To learn more about RYA OnBoard go to www.rya.org.uk/onboard or find out more about the JMST visit www.JMST.org.uk.