2019 Regional Junior Championships to be festival of youth sailing
by British Sailing Team 27 Sep 2019 14:57 BST
28-29 September 2019
The RYA National Junior Championships 2018, WPNSA, © Paul Wyeth
This weekend will see the culmination of British Youth Sailing's Regional Junior Championships, an eight-venue festival of youth racing.
The Regional Junior Championships offers sailing for all levels with a championship fleet for experienced racers, a coached regatta fleet for those developing their racing skills and a Fun OnBoard fleet for newcomers.
RYA Scotland, RYA Northern Ireland and RYA Cymru Wales kicked off the festival of youth sailing on September 21 and 22 before passing the baton to the English regions this weekend.
Last year's edition welcomed over 1,500 youth and junior sailors, and it's expected that number will increase as the popularity of the event continues to grow.
Along with prizes for event winners there will also be a range of prizes for sailors exhibiting the British Youth Sailing Values and Behaviours and showing a passion for the sport.
Members of the British Sailing Team will also be on hand at a number of venues to talk to competitors and give them coaching tips.
"Last year the Regional Junior Championships really showed the strength of youth and junior sailing in this country," said Mark Nicholls, the RYA's Youth Racing Manager.
"We had a record number of entries across all the fleets and the blend of fun sailing with competitive racing worked very well.
"This is an event that showcases the love of our sport from a young age and seeing young people enjoy themselves on the water is a real bonus for us as organisers.
"I can't wait to see hotly contested youth racing, but more importantly the smiles from all the sailors just starting out. I know it's going to be another great sailing event."
Regattas will be held at the following locations:
Home Countries (September 21 and 22):
Scottish Regional Junior Championships - Dalgety Bay
Welsh Regional Junior Championships - Mumbles
Northern Ireland Regional Junior Championships - Strangford Lough YC
RYA Regions (September 29 and 29):
East - Burnham
London & South East - Datchet Water
North - Derwent Reservoir SC
Midlands - Draycote SC
In light of the strong winds forecast to hit the south coast this weekend, the RYA has taken the decision not to run the South and South West Regional Junior Championships scheduled to take place at WPNSA.
To find out more about the Regional Junior Championships click here.
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