ilovesailing calendar 2015 unveiled at the PSP Southampton Boat Show
by Emma Slater, RYA 14 Sep 2014 09:15 BST
13 September 2014

ilovesailing calendar 2015 winners, left James Longden, right Jon Christian © RYA
After six months of competition, over 250 entries and the crowning of 12 amazing winners the ilovesailing calendar 2015 was officially unveiled at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Saturday.
One of our winners, Jon Christian, travelled all the way from Sweden to help celebrate the launch and collect his winner's prizes which included, tickets to the PSP Southampton Boat Show, copy of the final printed calendar, a canvas print of their winning entry, a host of RYA goodies and of course the much loved and much coveted ilovesailing rubber duck.
Jon, whose entry takes up the December slot in the calendar entitled 'End of the season' commented: "It feels great to be a winner, it's the first competition I've ever won.
"It's kind of weird seeing my picture in the calendar and on canvas, but it's pretty cool. It's amazing that this little picture that I just snapped early one morning on my mobile phone has taken on a life of its own.
"The ilovesailing calendar competition and Facebook page is great fun. It's a great way to get people engaged with this fabulous sport. Anyone can get involved and the weekly caption competitions show a humorous side as well; because it is all about having fun."
Jon was joined at the prize giving by James Longden who was collecting prizes on behalf of Colin Jex, whose beautiful shot taken of 'Eilach an Naoimh in the Garvellochs takes the July slot, while Andrew Grierson and family collected prizes on behalf of Jo Grierson whose misty morning photo sits in the September spot on the calendar.
Four and half year old Ollie Grierson told us he is going to sail his ilovesailing duck in the bath, while his sister, 2 year Amelia, told us she just loved her duck!
"The calibre of photos we received for the competition was amazing, making it so difficult to choose just 12 winners", commented Emma Slater, ilovesailing co-ordinator. "Our final 12 have come together to form yet another stunning calendar and have made for a striking display on the RYA stand throughout the show."
The final twelve calendar competition winners for 2014/15 are:
- Andy Carter from Dartmouth, Devon
- Christopher Riordan (location unknown)
- Colin Jex from Arnside, Lancs
- James Rainsford from Dartmouth, Devon
- Nick Wake from Odiham, Hants
- Peter Gowing from Whitstable, Kent
- Jacob Hill from County Down, Northern Ireland
- Karen Langston from Beccles, Suffolk
- Jon Christian from Kristinehamn, Sweden
- Keith Johnson from Retford, Nottinghamshire
- Jo Grierson from Poole, Dorset
- Oliver Southgate from Tiptree, Essex
You can view all the calendar competition entries and winning photos on the ilovesailing Facebook page
www.facebook.com/ryailovesailing
The 2015 calendar is available to purchase from the RYA stand (J066) at the PSP Southampton Boat Show. The first 100 people to purchase a copy of the calendar during the boat show will also receive one of ilovesailing's rubber ducks! Alternatively, the calendars will be available to purchase via the RYA web shop, www.rya.org.uk/shop
Calendars cost just £3.50. Stocks are limited so we recommend purchasing your copy as soon as possible.
The ilovesailing calendar competition ran from March to August 2014, with two photo winners being picked each month to appear on the 2015 calendar.
As well as the new calendar competition the ilovesailing page will continue to run its ever popular weekly caption competition, giving you a chance to share your funny, clever and witty captions in a bid to win an ilovesailing duck.
Come along to the page at www.facebook.com/ryailovesailing and get involved.
Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 0844 556 9556, email or visit www.rya.org.uk