RYA OnBoard Feva Frenzy event at Siblyback Lake

K Andrew and L Calverly - from the winning St Mawes team - at the RYA OnBoard Feva Frenzy event © Tim Cross

A team of young sailors from St Mawes Sailing Club went home triumphant at the end of the annual RYA OnBoard Feva Frenzy event at Siblyback Lake last Saturday (17 October).

The one-day team racing event saw hot competition amongst 40 youngsters, who learned to sail through RYA OnBoard at St Mawes Sailing Club, Fowey Gallants Sailing Club, Siblyback Lake, Stithians Lake, Plym Yacht Club, Saltash Sailing Club, Plymouth & Devon Schools Sailing Association and the Royal Western Yacht Club.

Competing in a north-easterly and variable wind and challenging conditions, each team consisted of just two boats, and the winner of each race was the team that avoided either boat finishing in fourth place. After round-robin heats in the morning, the top two teams from each progressed to the semi-finals, which were decided by the best of three races. The team from St Mawes beat the Fowey Gallants in the final 3 – 1.

The remaining teams then competed in a regatta league to decide 5th – 10th place. In all, 50 races were held throughout the day.

Mike Croft, Team Feva Principal at St Mawes, was delighted with the win: "Once again a great event, all the sweeter for the fact that St Mawes won after five years of trying. We will be back next year to defend our title!"

Roger Irvine of the Royal Western Yacht Club added: "It was a great event to watch from the lakeside, where there was plenty of support from spectators cheering. Feedback from parents and sailors was 'let's have some more!'

"It was our first time taking part in this event," commented Ade Bevan-Smith of the PDSSA. "Our sailors were stoked to have the won the regatta league, and it was a very nice touch to see that prizes were awarded throughout the fleet, which helped reward those who sailed their best but found it challenging to win a race."

RYA Sailing Development Officer Tim Cross is grateful for all those who helped to organise the event: "A big thank-you to RS Sailing for their event sponsorship with prizes for the sailors, Siblyback Lake for their assistance throughout the day, Plymouth University Sailing and Power Boat Club volunteer support without whom the event would not have run as smoothly, and all the other club volunteers who pitched in during the day."

Run by the RYA, OnBoard is a grass roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged 8 to 18, through schools, youth groups and training centres.

Over a ten year period OnBoard has introduced more than 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants.

For more information about RYA OnBoard and find out how to get involved in sailing visit www.rya.org.uk/go/onboard