RYA Cymru Wales OnBoard Festivals 2024: Join the Excitement of Sailing and Water Sports
RYA Cymru Wales OnBoard Festivals 2024
31 August – 1 September 2024
Aspiring sailors and windsurfers gathered at Dale and Bala to have fun and develop their skills at this year’s RYA Cymru Wales OnBoard Festivals.
A total of eighty-five youth and junior sailors participated in the two events over the weekend, enjoying sunshine and light to moderate winds that created perfect conditions for a busy schedule of OnBoard games and racing.
The annual festivals aim to build on home club training at the end of summer by enabling young sailors to gain confidence and knowledge in a sheltered, relaxed, and friendly coached environment.
Sarah McGovern, Performance Manager Wales, stated, “These events are truly rewarding for us as it is the start of a journey for these young sailors, and it’s great to provide the opportunity to develop their sailing and racing skills. Our three goals for the OnBoard Festivals are to have fun, make new friends, and learn something new… hopefully, all the sailors left having achieved one of these goals.”
This year introduced participation medals for each competitor and included games to gather feedback from young sailors about their involvement in the sport.
North OnBoard Festival
The North OnBoard Festival, hosted by Bala Sailing Club, saw thirty-six sailors, including twelve in the OnBoard fleet and twenty-two in the main fleet, competing across various single and double-handed classes.
Despite a foggy start, the weather improved, with bright sunshine and a light easterly breeze setting the scene for the day’s activities. The main fleet completed two races before a lunch break, followed by three more races, while the OnBoard fleet enjoyed a day of ‘games with aims’ and start-to-race activities.
Catrin Williams, a British Sailing Team iQFoiler and Welsh role model, supported the sailors by sharing her journey from attending her first North OnBoard Festival to representing GBR internationally. Over fifteen volunteers assisted, and the three Welsh coaches also began their journeys at OnBoard Festivals.
Clubs collaborated to support their sailors, and Llyn Brenig brought great energy with their vibrant club colors and unique flair.
Awards were given to the youngest sailors, Harriet Thomas and Benji Hall, both from Port Dinorwic SC, while Ellis Crierie from Llyn Brenig SC received an endeavour award for being the only Optimist sailor to compete on the main fleet course.
View North OnBoard Festival results.
South & West OnBoard Festival
The South & West OnBoard Festival hosted by Dale Yacht Club / Celtic Sea Watersports welcomed nineteen sailors in the OnBoard fleet and thirty in the main fleet.
RYA Cymru Wales Club Development Officer Hester Walker reported, “We had a lovely 10-15 knots of breeze throughout the weekend, allowing the race committee to conduct four races each day despite challenging shifts and a dropping forecast on Sunday.”
The Onboard Fleet completed eight races with excellent coaching, while the Main Fleet saw some thrilling races, where winners were determined in the final race. Appreciation was expressed to all volunteers for their dedication to ensuring safe and enjoyable sailing experiences.
Hector Jennings of Dale YC received the Jaffa Trophy for his selfless act of allowing another sailor to use his RS Tera, opting to compete in a Topper for the remaining races.
Find overall results for the South & West OnBoard Festival – Main Fleet and OnBoard Fleet.
Welsh Youth & Junior Championships
The next highlight in the major events calendar is the Welsh Youth & Junior Championships, taking place on 21-22 September 2024 at Plas Heli. This event is open to young sailors from across Wales and beyond and serves as an indicator for those seeking selection for the Welsh National Sailing Team squads. The championships include coached regatta and championship fleets.
Young sailors and their parents are encouraged to register and share this opportunity with their class associations. Enter now for the Welsh Youth and Junior Championships and stay updated on the latest news and events by following RYA Cymru Wales on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.