HRH The Princess Royal celebrates 40 years of Wednesday Junior Sailing at Royal Lymington Yacht Club
by Kirsty Husband 24 Sep 11:46 PDT
23 September 2026
HRH The Princess Royal watching the WJS Adventure Sailors at Royal Lymington YC © Tristan Jones /
www.nautipics.co.uk
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Royal Lymington Yacht Club on Wednesday 23 September to celebrate the Club's much-loved Wednesday Junior Sailing programme and mark the Grand Finale of its 2026 season.
The Princess Royal, Patron of Royal Lymington Yacht Club, joined young sailors, volunteers, Members, sponsors and supporters for an afternoon celebrating a programme which has introduced generations of local children to sailing and life on the water.
For more than 40 years, Wednesday Junior Sailing - affectionately known as WJS - has given local children the opportunity to get out on the Lymington River in a safe, welcoming and affordable environment.
Around 100 children take part each Wednesday during the season from April to September, supported by a large team of volunteers both ashore and on the water.
Remarkably, participation continues to cost just £1 per child, traditionally including a hot chocolate and doughnut after sailing.
This accessibility is made possible through a considerable shared commitment. Royal Lymington Yacht Club provides facilities, equipment, resources and time throughout the season, while Lymington Yacht Haven has been the programme's headline sponsor since 2002, providing substantial financial support for more than two decades. At the heart of it all is the extraordinary contribution of the volunteers who deliver the programme week after week.
During Wednesday's visit, Her Royal Highness met children, volunteers and supporters before taking to the Lymington River to see WJS in action.
The visit culminated in the WJS Grand Finale and Prize Giving, with The Princess Royal
recognising the achievements of the young sailors at the end of another successful
season.
Among those receiving an award was eight-year-old Tali Sebbage, who was presented
with the Jolly Roger Trophy, an award which captures the enthusiasm and spirit at the
heart of junior sailing at the Club.
The occasion also provided an opportunity to recognise those who give their time to WJS.
Recognition was given to Jane Corden, who took on the lead volunteer role for the 2026
season.
From coordinating the team required each Wednesday to ensuring children,
families and fellow volunteers are supported, Jane has become central to the successful
running of WJS. Her willingness to step in wherever needed and her commitment
throughout the season embody the volunteering spirit on which the programme has
been built.
Sally Kalis, Commodore of Royal Lymington Yacht Club, said:
"Wednesday Junior Sailing is something the whole Club can be enormously proud of.
It's success belongs to the remarkable team of volunteers who make it happen.
Every Wednesday the children get out on the water, build confidence, make friendships
and, we hope, develop a lifelong love of sailing.
"The volunteer team want the children to have the same opportunities to enjoy being
on the water that so many of us have been fortunate enough to experience.
"Having our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, with us to see WJS in action
and celebrate our young sailors is a very special way to recognise everything they
have achieved this season and the volunteers who make it possible."
Following the departure of Her Royal Highness, more than 110 children, families and
volunteers continued the celebrations with an end-of-season WJS party at the Club.