Sail for Gold weekend at Kielder Water Sailing Club
by Nicola Bell 17 Jun 2011 18:04 BST
11-12 June 2011
Sail for Gold weekend at Kielder Water © Steve Gibbon
Whilst sailors were competing for places in the GBR Olympic sailing team in Weymouth last weekend, young sailors at Kielder Water Sailing Club were honing their sailing skills under the banner (big flag and bunting) of the RYA’s Sail for Gold weekend. A team of dedicated KWSC members teach essential sailing skills to the juniors, following the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme. This takes youngsters through four stages from complete beginner to competent sailor, and then they can progress on through the RYA regional zone squads, with the most talented aiming for Olympic selection in the future.
Sail for Gold medals were given to Lauren Thomas (Stage 1) for collecting the most 'fruits' in a game practising boat control; James Nohl for the best controlled gybe at Stage 2 and Tom Young for winning the race at Stage 3.
Kielder's annual Picnic Series of races coincided with the Sail for Gold weekend. Everyone sailed (racing or not, as they wished) to the picnic venue, and after a leisurely repast ashore in the sunshine, there were a further two races. All the participants received Sail for Gold wristbands, with Sail for Gold medals going to Mike Scott, winner of the Picnic Series in his Contender, and to the juniors who took part in Toppers and Fevas.