K1 Fleet Members Recognised by RYA Impact Awards
by Hilly King 21 Dec 14:34 GMT
Mike Beckett wins an RYA Impact Award © Hilly King
I am sure throughout the sailing community there are numerous unsung heroes who deserve the sailing equivalent of a "THE ONE SHOW, Big Thank You" and in the K1 fleet we have numerous individuals who could easily fit that criteria.
The RYA introduced "Impact Awards" to honour individuals who, through work with Class Associations and their home sailing clubs go above and beyond the norm to make sailing more successful, inclusive, sustainable and enjoyable for all.
It really does take a very special person to stand out from those around them, give of their time selflessly and encourage others to shine. If you then achieve whilst competing at the highest levels of your particular class whilst overcoming your own personal challenges then surely this is indeed a special individual who deserves the RYA impact awards.
We in the K1 class were awarded not one but two impact awards from the RYA and I would like to take this opportunity to give you an insight into what these two very special K1 sailors have contributed and indeed continue to contribute to both the K1 fleet and their respective sailing clubs.
Alf Hawksworth started sailing at 15 when his parents moved from the Yorkshire Pennines to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Alf joined the Sea Scouts to fulfil his destiny but first had to learn to swim in bays surrounding the family house before he was allowed on the water! After building his first boat which was a 12ft version of what later became the GP14, he and his sister taught themselves to sail in the extremely tidal water near the Cowes chain ferry!
He then built a Cherub under a tarpaulin in his parents' back garden and won the National Championships aged 19. He built boats for those who either did not have the boatbuilding skills or indeed the finances as a way of helping the local community, including a mirror dinghy for his nurse!
At this point I should mention that when aged 11 Alf caught TB Meningitis and spent 6 months in hospital having large doses of Streptomycin, which saved his life but left him totally deaf. Alf always wanted to be an Architect and with huge determination eventually in 1963 was elected a member of the institute and in 2002 became a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors despite not having a conventional education due to his extended hospital stays. Great perseverance whilst owning and running his very successful printing company.
Alf's love of sailing is infectious and he has taught and trained huge numbers of people to either sail or improve their performances. Alf has raced 505's, International 14's and Osprey Dinghies at the highest levels. He won Northern and Scottish Championships in his Osprey a record 6 times and the Bala long distance race a record 5 times.
20 years after giving up sailing he saw the newly launched K1 dinghy at the Southampton Boat Show in 2012. He bought one straight away and demonstrating class is permanent won both 2013 and 2014 National Inland Championships. Alf remains K1 Class Captain at Carsington Sailing Club and indeed is the proud owner of the latest Ovington built K1 in which this year he won the over 80's prize in the National Inland Championships.
Alf has not only taught and trained more people about the joys of sailing but even today at over 80 years of age continues to paint his clubhouse, refurbished the committee boats, decorate the toilets, upkeep changing areas. He reviews and repairs deep water moorings and all of this on a voluntary basis. Carsington Sailing Club and the K1 Class association could not be more proud of Alf being such a valuable member of our family.
Mike Beckett was probably sailing before he could walk and would always be destined to spend significant time in and around sailing clubs around the country. Mike's Father Bob, despite being a Firefighter by profession built Solo's which were works of art but also very quick Championship winning boats. It will be no surprise therefore that Mike campaigned a Solo to a very high level before moving into faster high performance boats like the RS600.
Mike, a computer/electronics guru was also in his younger day one of the trendiest DJ's in the South and even to this day we still hear stories of couples getting together at his gigs, which is probably where he honed his people skills.
Mike, like many parents took a back seat with his own sailing competitions to take his very capable son around the numerous training camps and competitions all over the country. Where Mike differed to other parents is he became part of the training establishment taking his own RIB to events and often trained other squad members, giving huge amounts of time and expertise to clubs all over the country.
Mike has also been a huge supporter of Datchet Water Sailing Club and its success. Firstly he has helped introduce significant numbers of people to sailing and again has trained them to reach their potential. He has helped with the club direction and organisation being commodore for three years. Furthermore together with the then Class Captain Ian Duke helped the K1 fleet to grow at Datchet. It now has more K1's registered and sailing than any other club in the country.
Mike has taken full control of all the results processing at Datchet including devising a very complicated algorithm to determine personal handicaps throughout the club. Mike has often been seen in his RIB mapping with sonar the racing area of the reservoir which in turn helps determine the positioning of moorings for club committee boats, buoys and minimises the impact low water will have on club racing. Mike freely gives his time and expertise to the club and K1 class.
Always one of the first to volunteer to help at the Dinghy Show to promote the K1 class. His personality, wit and generosity are invaluable. He is a fabulous sailor and it was no surprise he finished in the top ten at the latest K1 Nationals held at WPNSA where we had a record entry.
Above all he always has a smile on his face and time for everyone. Lastly the joy he brings the children at Datchet every Christmas is immeasurable donning his red suit and simply being Mike.
We are incredibly proud that both have been issued RYA impact awards and feel it is a wonderful introduction by the RYA to recognise our heroes that often work tirelessly with little National recognition.
The K1 fleet would at this time like to wish all a very Happy Christmas and fabulous 2026.