
Welcome to RYA Southern Region Website
Southern Region Latest News
RYA Conference explains the 'Red Tape' - 1st March 2006 (more) Southampton Sailing Club rises to the emergency - 24th February 2006 (more) Hampshire Businesses head for the Dinghy Show - 21`st February 2006 (more) Christchurch Young Sailor selected for National Award 14th December 2005 (more) Hamble Students turn marketeers for the RYA 30th November 2005 (more) RYA Community Awards - 18th October 2005 (more) New Dinghies for RYA Southern Region - 15th February 2005 (more)
RYA CONFERENCE EXPLAINS THE "RED TAPE" The first RYA Southern Region Club Management Conference was held on 26^th February 2006 at Warsash Sailing Club. The Southern Region covers Poole to Chichester including the Isle of Wight, with some 160 clubs involved in the area. A capacity audience of over 70 delegates was pleased to have guidance from the expert RYA team, headed by Edmund Whelan, RYA’s Manager of Legal and Government Affairs. The first session dealt with club premises, health and safety, and in particular the recent Licensing Act. Later, legal liabilities ashore and afloat were explained whilst Graham Postles from Heath Lambert Group gave an overview of the type of insurance cover clubs could put in place. Looking to the future, the RYA’s Sport Development Manager, Jon White, gave guidance on developing a volunteer programme, seeking finance and fund raising. The afternoon was rounded off by the RYA Planning and Environment Advisor who introduced "The Green Blue" initiative which aims to provide practical advice and information to help sailors act in an environmentally conscious way. Paul King, Chairman of the RYA Southern Region was delighted with the success of the conference and the Region already has future plans. He commented "We had a very positive response from the Region’s clubs. As we could not accommodate all those who wanted to attend, we plan two more events later in the year, if possible at venues on the east and west of the Region." Any clubs interested in participating should contact the RYA Southern Region Secretary, Richard Brown (Email: Secretary), Richard would also like to hear if there are particular topics which delegates would like covered. For further information please contact: Flavia Bateson, RYA Southern Region Communications Telephone 01962 855544 Mobile 07855 253452 Email:- Flavia Bateson
SOUTHAMPTON SAILING CLUB RISES TO THE EMERGENCY The Woolston-based clubhouse of Southampton Sailing Club was brought into action as a temporary command post for the emergency services when an unexploded bomb was reported on the foreshore of Southampton Water on 21^st February 2006. Richard Brown, Secretary of the RYA Southern Region, was contacted by the Coastguard and located the key holder of the premises which were immediately made available to the police and other emergency services. Whilst neighbouring buildings had to be evacuated, the Southampton Sailing Club was suitably located on the outside boundary of the exclusion zone. Whilst members made available the Club’s facilities, the 4 foot long mortar torpedo-shaped object was dug out at low tide, towed out to sea and detonated underwater. Thankfully it was found to be a dummy containing only concrete. For further information please contact: Flavia Bateson, RYA Southern Region Communications Telephone 01962 855544 Mobile 07855 253452 Email:- Flavia Bateson
HAMPSHIRE BUSINESSES HEAD FOR THE DINGHY SHOW The annual Dinghy Show is run in association with the Royal Yachting Association based in Hamble and this year it is being held on 4^th and 5^th March at Alexandra Palace in north London. The event gives experienced sailors and newcomers alike the opportunity to see the latest developments in boats and equipment as well as benefiting from free seminars by RYA experts. Businesses in Hampshire will be well represented and several will be running competitions with generous prizes. "Dinghy" sailing magazine, based in Fareham, is offering kit from Musto’s new range as well as cash prizes whilst a visit to Eastleigh’s LDC Racing Sailboats’ stand might win a brand new RS200 high performance sailing dinghy in their prize draw. Elsewhere at the show Wet & Wild Graphics from Hamble will be celebrating their 10^th anniversary by offering T-shirts and neck warmers to customers. Bursledon boat builders Salterns are launching their new "Corinthian", an 18 foot dayboat with a lifting keel. Tickets for the show can be reserved online at www.dinghysailingshow.org.uk . For further information please contact Flavia Bateson, RYA Southern Region Communications Telephone 01962 855544 Mobile 07855 253452 Email:- Flavia Bateson
CHRISTCHURCH YOUNG SAILOR SELECTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD James Rusden, aged 15, has been selected to join the finalists in this year’s prestigious Raymarine/Yachting Journalists Association Young Sailor of the Year Award. Nominations came from across the UK and previous winners have included Ellen MacArthur and Olympic gold medallist, Ben Ainslie. James is nominated with his crew, Erin Clark. Sailing in the Cadet dinghy class, James won the 2005 Under 16 World Championships – seeing off a fleet of 64 boats from 15 nations when the event took place in Spain during July. He is the first British winner of this event for five years and one of only three British crews to do so in the last 15 years. Earlier wins secured helmsman James the accolade of the youngest World Title holder. James’ home club is Highcliffe Sailing Club where all of his family are involved in the sport. With his brother Will, he has now moved on to the 420 class where the duo have already made their mark as the best overall two new people to enter the class at the National Championships held in August. The Raymarine/Yachting Journalists’ Association Young Sailor of the Year Award is being presented on the opening day of the London International Boat Show on 6^th January 2006. For further information please contact: Flavia Bateson, RYA Southern Region Communications Telephone 01962 855544 Mobile 07855 253452 Email:- Flavia Bateson Paul King, RYA Southern Region Chairman Telephone 023 8084 9879 Email:- Paul King
Hamble Students turn marketeers for the RYA Students from Hamble Community Sports College are working together with the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) to help provide a teenager’s insight into its new nationwide sailing project, OnBoard. OnBoard is a new programme designed to encourage schools to introduce sailing and windsurfing into their PE curriculum. Providing schools with tailor-made packages that take all safety aspects into account, it provides a fun, exciting experience for 9 - 16 year olds. On a visit to the nearby RYA headquarters in Hamble, last Thursday 24 November, students viewed the OnBoard promotional material, that has been developed to encourage 500,000 school-age newcomers to sailing over the next 10 years. After a tour of RYA House, the seven students from Year 11 watched an introductory video, which is being made available in junior and secondary school versions. They browsed the new website dedicated to the OnBoard project and were then able to pass their comments and ideas directly to the RYA’s Sailing Development Officer, Victoria Lenz, who commented: "At this stage we are introducing OnBoard so it is important for us to get feedback from young people; to check our approach is appealing. The students made constructive comments and suggested improvements which we can certainly incorporate into future versions of the video and website." Overall the students felt the video and website gave an image of the sport as exciting, enjoyable and adventurous. They were pleased to see children learning to sail in inner city areas as well as more traditional locations, including Hayling Island. Their suggestions for the website included more use of music, video links to DVD clips, a bulletin board and further information on the world-class Team GBR Olympic sailing competitors. Richard Farminer, one of the Hamble students, said: "I liked the language of the website – just like we use all the time in text messaging. Seeing the film has encouraged me to go sailing and it was good to be involved in the IT process." Eryn Boshier was equally pleased to have participated in the exercise: "It was absolutely brilliant; a great inter-active session." To find out more about OnBoard please visit www.ruob.co.uk For further information please contact: Flavia Bateson, RYA Southern Region Communications Telephone 01962 855544 Mobile 07855 253452 Email:- Flavia Bateson Julian Speirs Co-ordinator of Personalised Learning Hamble Community Sports College Telephone 023 8045 2321 Email julian.spears@hamblecommunity.hants.sch.uk Notes to Editors OnBoard is kindly sponsored by Henri Lloyd and Sunsail and supported by the British Marine Federation, Sport England and the Foundation for Sports and Arts.
RYA COMMUNITY AWARDS 2005 The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) estimates that volunteers country-wide contribute over four million hours each year supporting sailing. They are the backbone of sailing clubs, and become involved in a range of activities from taking children for their first experience afloat to tackling club administration or running race management. The annual RYA Community Awards seek to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution or lifetime commitment. Nominations are received from the sailing clubs and organisations themselves and several of this year's recipients came from the RYA Southern Region which covers Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight. Presentations were made in London by HRH The Princess Royal at the RYA's Annual General Meeting on Thursday 13th October 2005. Paul Daysh has been a valued member of Hill Head Sailing Club, near Lee on the Solent, for over 30 years. He played a key role in the establishment of a structured training programme and attends every session to supervise and offer guidance, always giving his time generously. John Claisse, from Petersfield, is the Operations Manager for the Hampshire-based Gwennili Trust. He has devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to this organisation which provides sailing for the mentally and physically disabled community, particularly ex-service men and women. His dedication and generosity have enabled hundreds to enjoy the experience of sailing. Annie Littlejohn and Amanda Dingwall are both members at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. Throughout her long sailing career, Annie has set a fine example and shown encouragement to all. She instigated a keelboat racing series, served as both a race and safety officer and also stayed ashore at times to run the office. Annie also supports a local children's sailing club. For 14 years, Amanda has organised the Royal Lymington's annual Junior Regatta and worked assiduously to help provide excellent training for over 2,000 children. John Claisse of the Gwenili Trust receives his RYA Community Award from HRH The Princess Royal. copyright - Dave Harris, Picture Link
DINGIES FOR RYA SOUTHERN REGION Newcomers to sailing will benefit from the recent decision of the Royal Yachting Association's Southern Region Committee to assist clubs with the purchase of new dinghies, which will be made available to local schools and colleges as well as other RYA clubs. The RYA Southern Region covers the area from Poole to Chichester, including the Isle of Wight. Over 150 clubs were invited to record their interest and put forward a proposal. It has now been agreed that seven clubs can benefit from the provision of brand new RS Feva dinghies. The clubs are Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club, Hayling Island Sailing Club and Dell Quay Yacht Club, all of whom use Chichester Harbour as their main sailing area. They are joined by Hill Head Sailing Club on the Solent, Hythe Sailing Club by Southampton Water, Highcliffe Sailing Club and Spinnaker Club, near Ringwood, which is the only club in the region to use an inland sailing area. The RS Feva is a multi-role training boat, designed in 2002. Over 410 were bought in 2004 in the UK making it a very popular choice for newcomers. Paul King, Chairman of the RYA Southern Region commented: "We are pleased to support the RYA's national 'On Board' programme which aims at promoting the sport of sailing to young people. The new RS Fevas will be maintained and stored at clubs across the Southern Region and each club has put forward a considered proposition as to how the boats will be used to encourage local children and young people to get out on the water." Great Britain has an enviable record in performance sailing and at the 2004 Olympic Games came out, once again, as top sailing nation, with the largest medal haul.
THE RYA The RYA is the national body for all forms of recreational and competitive boating. It represents dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sportsboats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising, and personal watercraft. sailing is the most successful Olympic sport in this country and Great Britain is the world's top Olympic sailing nation. The RYA is recognised by all government offices as being the negotiating body for the activities it represents. It continually fights for the rights and freedoms of its 100,000 personal members, the majority of whom choose to go afloat for purely recreational non-competitive pleasure on coastal and inland waters. There are an estimated further 500,000 boat owners nationally who are members of RYA affiliated clubs and class associations. The RYA also sets and maintains a recognised standard for recreational boat training through a network of 2,070 RYA Recognised Training Centres in 20 countries. Over 143,000 people per year complete RYA training courses. The RYA is committed to promoting all forms of boating and making them accessible to everyone. For more information please refer to our web site www.rya.org.uk You can find the RYA at:- RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Southampton, SO31 4YA (0845 345 0400) please visit their website and look under RYA Information for directions.