Doublehanded pathway boost thanks to Sport Wales grant

by RYA Cymru Wales 17 Jun 19:30 BST

Welsh Sailing's new RS Fevas at Plas Heli Welsh National Sailing Academy, Pwllheli © RYA Cymru Wales

Welsh Sailing has strengthened its performance pathway for young racing sailors with eight brand new double-handed dinghies thanks to a grant from Sport Wales.

A game-changing contribution of £68,284 was awarded towards the total project cost of £75,784 for two youth boats - a 29er and 420 each with a road trailer - plus six RS Feva dinghies and two triple-stacker road trailers for junior sailors.

The 420 and 29er will be available on loan to help top level Welsh sailors continue performing at the highest level, while the RS Feva fleet will support #rockupandtrain opportunities, participation in events and the introduction of team racing.

A pathway mapping exercise with Sport Wales demonstrated that sailing is similar to other sports when considering costs such as travel, accommodation, membership and entry fees. An expensive additional outlay for aspiring sailors, however, is the boat and equipment.

Sarah McGovern, Chief Operating Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: "We are very keen as a Governing Body to help remove the cost barrier of buying a boat to take part in sailing, and we have a good track record of sailors, who have been given boats on loan, going on to be ranked number one in the UK and selected for major international events.

"The provision of boats means our sailors are not having to limit their sailing due to finance and are able to focus their spend on training and events. Talent can often be missed because of financial barriers and so RYA Cymru Wales has always traditionally ring-fenced funding to buy performance boats and equipment to help level the playing field. A big thank you to Sport Wales for enabling us to continue to support our aspiring young sailors in this way."

The arrival of the new RS Feva dinghies coincided with the Eric Twiname Junior Championships (ETs) at Rutland and the class national championship at Plas Heli in May 2026 - enabling a number of Welsh sailors to take part who would not otherwise have had the chance.

Harry Bennell and Will Fenton were among the first to benefit from using the RS Fevas. Saying thank you for the opportunity, Harry, of Port Dinorwic SC, said: "Will and I had the best time sailing together at the ETs and RS Feva nationals. It was great being able to use a Welsh Sailing RS Feva. We couldn't have done either event without RYA Cymru Wales."

Sophie Venning, also Port Dinorwic SC, was likewise able to compete at the RS Feva Nationals and said: "I was lucky to be able to sail one of the new RS Fevas with my cousin Evie at the nationals in Pwllheli. We sailed 'Felicity' who is a brilliant boat and was great fun to sail. The nationals were such a good event but without the Welsh Sailing boats, I wouldn't have been able to take part. Thank you RYA Cymru Wales and Sport Wales for making it possible."

"Having these new boats gave me the opportunity to do my first ever RS Feva event and qualify for gold fleet," added club mate Ethan Watkin Jones sailing with Elsie Jenkinson.

Located at Welsh Sailing Pathway Clubs in the North, South and West, the RS Fevas will provide access to training and racing in the double handed junior class across the country. The fleet will also enable Welsh Sailing to diversify its offer introduce team racing to young sailors, who may then choose to enjoy this aspect of the sport rather than continuing into Olympic classes.

Providing a pathway into double-handed sailing for those who do not have their own equipment, the RS Fevas will also reduce the travel burden and associated environmental impact for those who do - a model already successful with Welsh Sailing's fleet of 18 ILCA dinghies, an initiative launched in 2024 with a Welsh Government Capital Grant backed by Sport Wales.

The provision of performance pathway boats by Welsh Sailing is in line with the RYA Cymru Wales strategy - Gyda'n Gilydd ar ein Dyfroedd: Together on our Waters - which aims to create a connected, inspired and inclusive Welsh sailing and boating community.