New boat awarded to committed young West Wales sailor

Gruffydd Green has been awarded a new boat thanks to the John Merricks Sailing Trust © TBC

A young West Wales sailor has been given an early Christmas present – but one that would take a lot of wrapping paper.

Teifi Boating Club's Gruffydd Green has been awarded a new boat thanks to the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST), the official charity partner of the RYA OnBoard (OB) programme, for the third year running.

Green, aged 12, was one of 11 youngsters elected from hundreds of applications after competing in the RYA Zone and Home Country Championships, which took place at eight venues across the UK this September.

He has been sailing for one and a half years at Teifi Boating Club, and has been awarded with a Topper, alongside four other young sailors around the UK, whilst another six have been granted BIC Techno 2930D windsurf boards.

"I think sailing is a very exciting, fun sport. I have tried a lot of different sports in the past but I enjoy sailing the best. I am so lucky to live by the sea and I love the excitement that I feel when I am sailing, especially when racing," he explained.

"I couldn't believe it when Mam told me the news! It was the most awesome feeling ever, I was jumping up and down and everyone in the house was cheering.

"This JMST boat will give me a chance to progress further into the sport because it will offer a more high-tech boat so I can sail better.

"I can set the boat up just right for me! I borrowed Teifi Boating Club's topper for the CYRCS, Llangorse Regatta and in Bala and something always happened or fell off because it was old! I am lucky my Dad if good at fixing things!

"I also like the technical side of handling the boat and love learning new things from Ian at Teifi Boating Club. I have learnt so much from him and he really encouraged me to try the CYRCs this year which I really enjoyed. Even when I didn't win I didn't mind because I had a great day and I started to make new friends too.

"I am also pleased that the club will end up with a good boat because it might persuade more young people to join the club. It's the best news ever!"

RYA OnBoard Operations Officer, Cat Ferguson, added; "We are delighted with the number of applications we received, and selecting recipients was a really difficult task.

"Each sailor selected has shown lots of enthusiasm, talent and commitment to the sport. This year we have awarded five Toppers and six Bic Techno windsurf boards, and we believe these will provide these young sailors with the opportunity to progress their skills with the highest quality equipment.

"Young people who may not ordinarily have been able to participate will be able to continue sailing and hopefully go on to achieve their goals".

Over a five year period, the scheme will see the JMST donate more than 50 single-handed junior pathway boats and boards to promising sailors. Each year, at least one young sailor is selected from each of the RYA Zones and Home Countries to receive two years of exclusive use of the boat or board donated by the Trust. Following this, the boat or board will be donated to the sailor's original club or training centre to benefit club training programmes and enable other young sailors to benefit in the future and progress into club, regional and national racing activities.

Ian Walker, JMST Trustee and double Olympic silver medallist commented; "The John Merricks Sailing Trust is committed to supporting the RYA OnBoard initiative for 5 years and it is wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of these keen young sailors every year.

"John Merricks himself benefitted from a similar boat loan scheme at a young age and went on to be one of the Britain's best sailors. We have already seen some excellent performances from the young sailors helped by this scheme and would like to thank the RYA for all the hard work that lies behind it."

JMST seeks to help young sailors and youth sailing organisations to achieve their goals and was set up in the memory of 1996 Olympic silver medallist John Merricks.

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 more than 10% of them into regular participants.

For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit www.rya.org.uk/go/onboard