Celebrating success afloat at the 2018 RYA Scotland Annual Awards

RYA Scotland Annual Awards © Marc Turner / RYA Scotland

RYA Scotland Annual Awards © Marc Turner / RYA Scotland

The RYA Scotland Annual Awards, the annual celebration of the successes and people involved across recreational and competitive boating, took place at The Chartroom in Kip Marina on Saturday the 19th of January.

Across the ten categories there were plenty of inspiring individuals and teams who make a massive difference to the sport. Many of the guests travelled far to attend the event and were rewarded with a Burns themed night of shared experiences across a broad representation of all kinds of boating in the nominations and awards.

Traditions on the Burns theme included the maritime adventurer Jock Wishart addressing the haggis in a swashbuckling style and an Immortal Memory by Peter Wright, linking pirate sea battles back to the Ayrshire Bard.

The evening also allowed the special presentation to Terence Brownrigg, International Sailing Judge, who received a Lifetime Commitment Award for his dedication to the application of the rules of sailing and the 8 Metre Class.

James Allan, RYA Scotland CEO said. "The seventh RYA Scotland Annual Awards are an opportunity for RYA Scotland to celebrate the people, who through their dedication and devotion make our clubs successful, the people who bring new participants into our community into our community and our sport, those who make the future possible for others and celebrate those who have excelled as a result of this and their own endeavours."

The event was sponsored by Ocean Sailing Scotland and principal skipper Glenn Porter opened the award touching on the connection between all those present, volunteering.

"As we move from a traditional approach to get people involved in getting on the water towards newer, often more challenging routes, what hasn't changed is the volunteering. Without these volunteers, where often so much is actually taken for granted, so much is unseen, so many thousands of hours is given freely. It is my privilege to be able to say to the whole marine sector that it simply wouldn't happen without these volunteers. Whether they help on club or RYA Committees or individuals who help within charities or helping to act as crew or skipper for a few days a year. Each volunteer is as vital as the next."

Winners of each of the categories presented on the evening:

• Volunteer of the Year Craig MacDonald
• The Elizabeth Mackay Award Laura Carrick of Able 2 Sail
• Young Person of the Year Oban Duncan
• Instructor of the Year Cameron MacIntyre of Prestwick SC
• Coach of the Year Iain McGonigal of East Lothian YC
• Official of the Year Peter Wright of Fairlie YC
• Class Academy Sailors of the Year Rowan Hayes and Charlotte Henry
• Youth Sailor of the Year Islay Watson
• Performance of the Year Celtic Commodores Cup team led by Jock Wishart
• Club of the Year Solway Yacht Club
• Lifetime Commitment Award Terence Brownrigg

RYA Scotland Annual Awards - photo © Marc Turner / RYA Scotland