Topper International becomes Official Supplier to RYA OnBoard

Chichester Yacht Club Dinghy Week 2019 © Clive Norris & Mark Green

World renowned for its market leading production techniques and product design, Topper International will now be bringing its expertise to the RYA by offering exclusive discounts and supplying RYA OnBoard venues with 4.2 Topper Sails for the next three years, through an annual competition run by the RYA.

Building upon its already successful relationship with the RYA's OnBoard initiative, Topper International has already helped hundreds of thousands of young people try sailing through the RYA's national programme, which introduces young people to sailing and windsurfing up and down the country.

Hannah Cockle, RYA OnBoard operations officer said: "We are delighted to welcome Topper International as official supplier to RYA OnBoard. OnBoard is all about introducing young people into the sport of sailing and these new dinghies will certainly help us to achieve this. They will be used by young sailors' through-out the UK who are learning to sail at OnBoard venues through schools, sailing clubs, training centres and youth groups within the RYA OnBoard programme."

Jon Manners from Topper International added: "One of the joys of working for Topper International is getting to see at first-hand how sailing can transform the lives of young people in so many positive ways. The Topper sailing dinghy inspires confidence in young or novice sailors like no other boat. We see so many young sailors self-belief sky-rocket the more time they spend on the water sailing."

Jon concludes: "The RYA OnBoard programme is a fantastic initiative which gets more and more young sailors out on the water offering a fantastic way to learn a new activity, have fun, and make new friends and pick-up valuable life-skills along the way."

For more information on the discounts available to RYA OnBoard recognised clubs and training centres, and for details on how to apply please email RYA OnBoard Operations Officer, Hannah Cockle by email: hannah.cockle@rya.org.uk

Run by the RYA, the OnBoard programme offers young people, aged 8 to 18, the chance to learn an exciting new sport in a safe environment. Being on the water creates multiple situations where young people are challenged as they learn how to sail and windsurf. From problem solving, and decision making, to leadership and teamwork, young OnBoarders will learn valuable life skills, all whilst having fun and making friends on the water. OnBoard provides a safe structure for this to happen and a great environment to help them develop, stimulate and strengthen both mind and body.

The low cost sessions are designed to promote equal access to sailing for young people from all social and economic backgrounds, whilst encouraging their character development. Since 2005, OnBoard has introduced more than 900,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting some 70,000 of them into regular participants.

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