Since Spring the UKSA have run a series of watersport youth clubs on the Isle of Wight, providing 8-16 year olds with the opportunity to get afloat and learn new skills.  The final 9 week youth club begins on 30th August.  

Beginners as well as those wanting to improve on existing skills are welcome, and everyone taking part have benefited from UKSA’s experienced instructors, top kit and safety equipment.

The windsurf, dinghy sailing and keelboat youth clubs, designed to give young people easy, low-cost access to water-based sports. 

UKSA’s Windsurfing Youth Club aims to get young Islanders into racing and will be based around the RYA’s Team 15 scheme.

This is the second year UKSA has run a windsurf club, last year UKSA Wildcats was a great success with some members being put forward to take part in the RYA’s National Windsurf Youth Week which took place on the Island.

The Dinghy Youth Club will teach complete beginners how to sail on a range of craft, including Picos. Those with more sailing experience will learn to sail high performance dinghies including Laser Vagos, Laser 1’s and Dart 16 catamarans. There will also be the opportunity to work towards RYA qualifications, depending on ability.

The Keelboat Youth Club is for young people on the Island who want to learn to sail. UKSA will be entering 3 J-80 keelboats into the Island Sailing Club’s Tuesday Evening Race Series and members of the Keelboat Youth Club will take part with experienced UKSA instructors.

All of the youth clubs are a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends while learning new skills and keeping fit.

Simon Davies, UKSA’s Director of Coaching comments,

Following the success of our Team 15 windsurfing club last year, we felt there was a real need to provide affordable, easy access watersports for young people on the Island.

We have fantastic facilities at UKSA, used by those training for professional maritime careers as well as UK and international school and youth groups, and we would like the local community to benefit from our facilities and expertise.

The Clubs will not only benefit young people within the community, but adults can get involved too. UKSA is looking for competent dinghy sailors who would like to volunteer their time to assist UKSA staff in running the community youth clubs.

UKSA will give volunteers the opportunity to gain their RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification free of charge in exchange for volunteering on club nights and weekends.

The clubs have run in 9-week blocks throughout the summer and the final BLOCK THREE commences on 30th August to 28th October 2008

Saturday mornings: Beginner Dinghy Club

Saturday afternoons: Dinghy Improvers Club

Sunday mornings: Beginner Windsurf Club

Sunday afternoons: Windsurf Improvers Club

Tuesday evenings: Keelboat Club (mixed ability)

12 places are available on each course  one off payment of £50 (including all safety cover, wetsuits, buoyancy aids and oilskins)

For more details contact UKSA on 01983 203034  To find out more about the RYA Dinghy Instructor course, please contact Simon Davies on 01983 294941 or simon.davies@uksa.org

Click HERE: www.uksa.org