Sport England Grant for Dittisham Sailing Club

Some of Dittisham's junior sailors preparing one of the three new Fevas for its first outing on the river © Christopher Biggs

The young sailors of Dittisham SC have plenty to smile about after a £10,000 Small Grants Award from Sport England enabled the club to purchase three new RS Feva dinghies. The club already has a very active Junior Sailing scene, offering a range of courses from complete beginners to advanced, using the popular Topper single-handed dinghy. However, with no real progression in place to enable young sailors to move up to the next level after a few years of sailing Toppers, the club was keen to increase the participation of 14 - 17 year olds.

Club member, Paul Honey, with help from Pete Muskett, RYA Development officer, put together a bid to Sport England who are at present very keen to support projects that encourage sporting activities for 14-25 year olds.

The purchase of the three new RS Fevas is a key part of this progression plan and is a perfect boat for Juniors and Youths as it provides the opportunity to develop the teamwork required for sailing two-handed boats successfully, as well as more advanced techniques such as using spinnakers. As there is also a very active adult racing scene at Dittisham, it is hoped that the younger sailors will be encouraged to compete alongside the regular racers at the club using the new boats.

However, the new dinghies aren't just there for the younger sailors. There is also a very active Ladies' Section at the club, and already the more advanced members of the group have been getting to grips with the new boats.

"Being able to purchase these new RS Fevas is just one part of our development strategy for the Club," said Commodore, David Thompson, "In the last year we made a number of improvements to the club's facilities, including better launching areas and we also purchased a committee boat which has greatly enhanced the quality of the racing," he added.

Dittisham SC is a small but friendly and vibrant club situated on a beautiful stretch of the River Dart, next to the Ham at Dittisham. With low membership fees, a good choice of club boats and a wide range of courses, including a new Adult beginners' course which will start in May, there couldn't be a better time to get out on the water.

For more information about the club, go to www.dittishamsc.org, or come down one weekend and have a chat to a member of the committee.