GP14 Youth Championship at Royal Windermere Yacht Club - Preview
by Megan Hicklin 28 Jun 2015 11:13 BST
4-5 July 2015
GP14 Youth Nationals at Hollingworth Lake © Ed Washington
This will be my fifth GP14 Youth Championship and this years promise to be the best yet. Royal Windermere Yacht Club is a fantastic and is in one of the most beautiful settings on the largest lake in England.
There are jetties for launching and plenty for everyone to do in Bowness. My family had a boat on the lake for a number of years so I know from experience that the sailing area is fantastic and challenging.
Like most young sailors I didn't start my sailing in a GP14 but now find the boat and the class suit me best. Sailing is all about progression and for many youth sailors this means moving from single to double handed boats and eventually to adult classes. For both the Helm and Crew the GP14 is technically challenging and always delivers very close racing.
I would encourage anyone with a GP14 to make it available to their junior sailors and encourage them to come along and enjoy the event. This is our class and if it is going to thrive then the young sailors are the future.
If previous years are anything to go by then the social side is what makes it best. I have made lots of friends from these events and look forward to seeing them at all of the main GP14 events. The prizes are always generous and the weekend, as you would expect, is run to the very highest of standards.
The fact that this years event is in the middle of the summer means that for once most of the "serious weather" kit can be left in the bag and we may even get some shorts and tee-shirt days! (You can always hope!)
So if you are a parent and fancy a weekend in the Lake District or if you are a Youth Sailor and would like to sail on one of the most famous and beautiful lakes in the world then please come along. I look forward to seeing you all there and hope for a record number of entries.
Get your entries in and also encourage your youngsters to take part. To qualify you must be 20 or under all year. £30 entry fee to include supper on the Saturday evening.
Book now: www.gp14.org/shop/2015-youth-championship