Harken UK: Official Supplier of RYA OnBoard Sailing Program

NEWS
Harken UK Official Supplier to RYA OnBoard Programme

Young sailors from four teams compete in OnBoard Laser Bug Day at Torside Reservoir.

Harken UK is proud to be Official Suppliers of OB (OnBoard) for the second season running. THe RYA OnBoard programme started in 2004 and aims to give over half a million young people in Britain the opportunity to try sailing and windsurfing over the next ten years.

Working with clubs, schools and youth groups across the UK, OB makes getting into sailing and windsurfing easy whatever ability and situation. Even if you live miles from the sea, you can experience the best of sailing on lakes, estuaries and rivers in your area! OB gets youngwters out on the water, teaches them new skills and provides great fun too!

Over a ten year period the programme aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants. So far, it's nicely on track.

SUN SHINES ON LASER BUG DAY AT GLOSSOP

Press Release July 5

There were picture perfect conditions at Torside Reservoir, Glossop for the RYA OnBoard Laser Bug Day on Saturday 02 July. A light westerly breeze and plenty of sunshine proved just the ticket for the 31 young sailors from four teams who came to enjoy the Laser Bug Day. All the sailors had learned to sail through OnBoard, the RYA initiative to introduce children to sailing.

Hosts Glossop Sailing Club were joined by teams from Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club, Hollingworth Water Activity Centre (WAC) and Astbury Sailsports. There was race training in the morning followed by a mini race series in the afternoon, with the youngsters organised in four groups, with beginners in Optibats, intermediates in Laser Bugs, advanced sailors in Toppers, and team reps in the two person Fevas.

In the Laser Bugs, which were kindly supplied by sponsor Laser Performance, Joshua Herbert from Glossop held off Will Smith of Hollingworth WAC to win the class, with Glossop's Jonathan Hughes taking third.

In Toppers, there was close competition with different winners in all three races. Jamie Irving of Astbury Sailsports squeezed ahead of Alex Monaghan of Glossop on the tie break after they finished on equal points, while Jack Monaghan took third for Glossop.

In the two person Feva class, the Hollingworth SC team of Craig Broadbent and Adam Din were the leading lights, with Josh Hawson and Ruth Hardy of Glossop second.

Adam, aged just 9, was thrilled with his win, "It was great to sail with other people. I was with a really good sailor in a Feva and learned loads, can I come to the next one? "

Another very young sailor was well pleased with the day. Owen Rafter, 8, from Hollingworth WAC was promoted to the Bug racing group for the afternoon after being a stand out in the Optibats in the morning. He even finished fifth in one of the Bug races!

Sponsor Harken supplied goody bags to send the children home happy.

RYA OnBoard Development Officer Nathan Scarll said, "It was great to see so many boats on the water, with all the children having a great time and improving their skills."

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 aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants. So far it' s nicely on track.

For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA's website www.rya.org.uk or the OnBoard website www.ruob.co.uk