Port Edgar sailing stalwart recognised with RYA Scotland Impact Award

Margaret Tait with her RYA Scotland Impact Award © RYA Scotland

A dedicated volunteer, a forerunner in women's sailing, and a talented race official are just some of the ways you might describe Margaret Tait of Port Edgar Yacht Club.

To recognise Margaret's long standing and wide-ranging contribution to Scottish boating, RYA Scotland (the governing body for sailing) are delighted to have presented her with a well deserved RYA Scotland Impact Award.

Since becoming a member at Port Edgar Yacht Club 40 years ago, Margaret has honed her race management skills, becoming an invaluable member of various race committees over the years.

Reflecting on how her journey at Port Edgar began, Margaret said:

"I joined the club 40 years ago this year, and I find the sailing fraternity really quite special.

"I got into running racing by running dingy racing here, and ended up doing it for about 20 years. I just decided I really enjoyed it, I'll still race when given the chance but very much enjoy this side of it as well."

On receiving her award at the 707 UK National Championship prize-giving at Port Edgar earlier this season, Margaret said:

"I suppose I was a bit stunned. I do it because I love it I don't do it for recognition, but it's nice to be recognised too and I hope it does inspire others to follow along."

At the start of her journey within sailing, Margaret often found herself the only woman in various settings. Rather than considering this a deterrent, Margaret made it her mission to inspire more women and girls to take up the sport.

Having successfully done this in several instances, perhaps no impact has been as personal to Margaret as the influence she has had on her Granddaughter Abby's journey in sailing.

Now a dinghy and power instructor, Abby is a valuable presence at both Dalgety Bay Sailing Club and Port Edgar, truly inheriting her Grandmother's passion to give back.

Speaking on Margaret's impact, Abby said:

"My Gran likes to tell me that when she was younger there wasn't many female roles in what she was going into, and she was kind of one of the only ones that would crew on these boats.

"It's amazing and it's nice to see so many more females coming into these roles, for example myself who's now a sailing instructor, who's now a power instructor. It's amazing to see how it's all changed, and it's amazing to see her forerunning."

Anyone inspired by Margaret's story can find out more about Port Edgar Yacht Club online, and can use the RYA Activity Finder to locate RYA courses, affiliated clubs, and Recognised Training Centres nearby.