Midlands junior sailors and windsurfers invited to apply for Regional Training Groups

Junior sailors and windsurfers from across the Midlands who are keen to develop their racing skills are invited to apply for this winter's 2022-2023 RYA Regional Training Groups.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 11 September and those selected will be able to access six weekends of on-the-water coaching at venues around the region.

The programme provides RYA pathway class-specific training, with Regional Training Groups (RTGs) available for Optimist, Topper, RS Feva and ILCA 4 sailors and Bic Techno windsurfers.

RTGs offer inclusive and accessible training delivered by expert RYA coaches to help young sailors improve their skills and inspire them towards a lifetime of participation in the sport.

RYA Midlands Regional Performance Manager Tim Hall said: "Regional Training Groups bring the best sailors in the region together to offer a high-quality programme through the winter months with training weekends, residential camps and remote support too.

"RTGs enable junior sailors and windsurfers to develop a variety of sailing and life skills as well as friendships and have a great emphasis on fun as well as learning in a safe environment."

Benefits

Brothers Han and Tian Zhang from Midland Sailing Club have loved being a part of the Regional Training Group for windsurfers and hope to participate again this winter.

Han, aged 15, said: "All the coaches were brilliant. I managed to progress from 4.5 to 7.8 sail size with the RTG last year." And Tian, aged 12, added: "It was really helpful to have so many different opinions and tips from all the coaches. I found that I could choose what worked best and I have improved so much thanks to the RTG."

Dad Yi explains: "RTG coaching has given Han and Tian an opportunity to progress their windsurfing skills to the level that they had aspired to be since they started windsurfing. Not only they are having a great time now as advanced windsurfers, but also they have forged great friendships with other like-minded youngsters, which I hope can last a lifetime. We have applied again for this year and the boys and I are excited to travel to the new venues and meet new and old friends soon."

Optimist sailor Sebastian Smith, aged 13, of Glossop Sailing Club, first started his RTG journey in 2018 when he got a place in the RYA Midlands Zone Squad, as it was then known, and hasn't looked back since. Dad Richard said: "He has made some great friends and has loved every minute of both the Zones and more recently as part of the Regional Training Group.

"Travelling to different clubs for a full weekend of training is brilliant and has really improved his confidence as well as his sailing. The standard of coaching is first class and really really does make sailors for life. Sebastian is very much looking forward to taking part again this year and to his younger brother joining the RTGs and following in his footsteps."

(Source and image: RYA)