Llangorse gets OnBoard

WYA's South Wales development officer Sam Healy presents the OnBoard plaque to Llangorse commodore Claire Ellis © WYA

Mid Wales children will get more chances to give sailing a try thanks to Llangorse becoming the latest club to join the successful national scheme OnBoard.

It is aimed at providing as many opportunities to sail to as many children as possible, particularly those who would not normally get the chance to try the sport.

The Club had a run a successful Cadet week with 38 sailors on the water every day - Optimists, Toppers, Mirrors and Comets - beginners, intermediate and racing groups representing a spectrum of ability.

An example of the success of their OnBoard scheme is 10-year-old Powys sailor Huw Farmer who selected last October from over 100 applications to receive a brand new boat donated by the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) having shown lots of enthusiasm, talent and commitment to the sport.

He was one of two award-winners from Wales, presented with a special award to recognise his achievement by double Olympic Medallist Ian Walker, Skipper of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show.

Llangorse have also got local authority partnership funding for six new training Optimists boats from Powys County Council. They are also working towards RYA Champion Club status.

Llangorse is already the host of many Welsh and national championship sailing events, recognised as one of the best stretches of water for sailing in Mid Wales, so it is one of the top venues to learn the sport.

By improving links with schools and clubs in the Brecon area, the club will look to bring sailing to increased numbers of children between the ages of seven and 16.

"Llangorse has been a proactive sailing club for a many years. By becoming the 23rd OnBoard partner in Wales we hope that it will enable them to grow and develop their family, youth and adult membership further," said Sam Healy, WYA South Wales Club Development Officer.

Run by sailing's national governing body, the RYA, OnBoard is a highly successful industry supported grass roots programme which seeks to make sailing easier to get into for young people.

Over a ten year period the programme aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants. So far it's nicely on track.

Cat Ferguson, OnBoard Operations Officer, said, "It's great to welcome Llangorse Sailing Club to the OnBoard programme.

"Sailing is a fantastic sport no matter your age, background or ability. We look forward to working with them and the local community to get as many people as possible enjoying our great sport."

Llangorse commodore Claire Ellis added, "We are delighted to have been recognised by the OnBoard scheme and this will help us to develop sailing in the area even more.

"We have come a long way with help from various partners, so the next step is to push for RYA Champion Club status. We are determined to get that.

"We have so many natural advantages at Llangorse sailing club, but this will allow us to open up those opportunities to even more children in the area.

"We are looking forward to being more involved in Mid Wales schools and giving a chance to sail to those children who would not normally come across these opportunities."

For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA's website www.rya.org.uk or the OnBoard website www.ruob.co.uk