Youth Sailing Association prepares for the summer season

With British summer time just around the corner, West Wilts Youth Sailing Association  is getting set up for the new season when they start sailing in Westbury from Easter Monday, March 28th.

Commodore at the club Margaret Pell said,  “This will be our 49th year at Westbury and we are looking forward to welcoming back several familiar faces and meeting many more new ones.

“Over that time we have grown immensely and are able to offer children over the age of eight the RYA syllabus to learn to sail. We operate on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and hold frequent weekend races and competitions for you to join in as you progress.

“Every year we try to take the youngsters on at least one coastal sailing weekend and normally travel by train to Plymouth where we use another RYA training centre’s equipment and accommodation. Whatever the weather, the kids all enjoy it and we all come back exhausted! It is a great way for the children to show other skills as they mature and work in teams.

“The youngsters are encouraged to work their way through the structured syllabus and qualify as instructors themselves. We are able to give them plenty of time to practise their leadership and communication skills as they deal with the various weather, kit and individuals.

“A recent survey of users and local residents returned very favourable comments about the overall development of the child, the opportunities that are open to them, the skills they learn that support them through life – we do realise these skills are not only learned at WWYSA!

“We hold a waiting list for the children to join us, but being the beginning of the season I understand this is currently minimal and all the children are offered taster sessions before signing up.

“Adults are encouraged to learn with us too, we have sold out of spaces for the course this season but always hold a waiting list ready for the next, so if you are interested, now is the time to get your name down. The course takes place over four Saturdays in April  and May, the days are full and you normally get through the RYA Adult Level 1 & 2 certificates.

“Over the winter this year we have been organising Saturday Race sessions so the youngsters maintain their sailing skills and are challenged in different weathers. This has proved very successful and assures us that there is a lot of interest in sailing locally.

“Interested? Visit our new-look website and see some more information and pictures on what we do, and don’t forget to get in touch!” wwysa.org.uk