Youngsters start sailing at Upper Thames Sailing Club

The young sailors and their instructors on the RYA youth training course at Upper Thames Sailing Club © Alan Markham

Undeterred by some very wet weather, 14 youngsters started and advanced their sailing during an RYA youth training course at Upper Thames Sailing Club (UTSC) on 24-27 August.

The course saw 10 of the group, some sailing for the first time, achieve RYA stage 2, which puts them well on their way to being confident dinghy sailors, able to join in Saturday fun sailing at the club. Of the more experienced sailors two progressed to stage 3, which classes them as sailors, not beginners and ready for club racing, and two to stage 4, the entry point for advanced sailing courses.

RYA senior instructor Mark Gould lead the course and helping out were RYA dinghy instructors Gus Dixon and Mick Haigh. Hallum Kirlew (13) also helped, part of his own training for his RYA assistant instructor and powerboat qualifications when he turns 14.

Mark said of the course: "Despite the mixed weather we've had a great time. The river Thames at Bourne End is a brilliant place for young people to learn to sail; it's safe but also challenging. The young people this week have done exceptionally well and now have the skills to handle sailing racing dinghies themselves and have some fun."

Club commodore Alan Markham added: "This was the third junior training event at UTSC this summer, following a youth and adult training week in July and a youth squad race camp in August; the increase in demand bodes well for junior sailing at the club. I am sure that some of our sailors will be progressing to the Zone Championships and beyond."

UTSC has long been an RYA approved training centre, and over recent years has progressed to become and RYA Champion Club and OnBoard centre, alongside investing heavily in a new river frontage, club boats, and improved facilities including new changing rooms. To support training a number of members have gained their RYA instructor and powerboat qualifications.

For more about UTSC visit www.utsc.org.uk

For more about how to get afloat visit www.rya.org.uk/get-afloat/Pages/get-started.aspx

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