Young sailors on creast of wave as awards and grants are won
Two young sailors from Felpham Sailing Club have received Performance Bursaries from the RYA London and South East Youth Training Fund.
Josie Kelly and Finn Geri, both 15 and from Felpham, each received a cash award to help them with their progression and development.
Josie has a Laser 4.7 (ILCA4) dinghy and has taken part in regional training group from autumn through to spring at events in Weymouth and North Wales.
Finn is nearly too big for his Topper dinghy but he has been involved in the South East Topper Squad Regional Training Group and taken part in many events including those at Downs Sailing Club (SC), Island Barn SC and Draycote. Finn is now looking to move up to a Laser (ILCA).
The awards were presented by Roger Belton (RYA Area Representative for West Sussex) at the recent annual prizegiving at Felpham SC.
Josie said: “I have put half of the grant towards a weekend of UKLA open training which is some of the highest level training available. This will help me progress in the ILCA. The other half will go towards re-kitting out my boat to help me race to the best of my abilities.”
Finn said: “I used the bursary to buy some new boots as summer is coming up soon, and also a wetsuit as earlier in the winter the cold has really gotten to me. The remaining money I hope to put towards a new boat for next season!”
Belton added: “Josie and Finn are outstanding competitors and really enjoy the sport. Both are also heavily involved in training and race coaching at Felpham.”
Meanwhile a new generation of inspirational young sailors were celebrated in the RYA Musto Youth Awards presented recently at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show, including a Felpham sailor.
The awards celebrate the achievements of young people in the sport whether on the racecourse, volunteering, instructing, coaching or overcoming adversity. They were presented by Olympic gold medallist Dylan Fletcher and RYA Director of Racing, Ian Walker.
Mia Gray (14) from Felpham Sailing Club was one of those to receive an award.
Mia has been a member of Felpham Sailing Club for five years, and has shown a real passion for the sport and the club.
The club wrote of Mia: “She was the youngest cadet captain FSC has ever had and she achieved this by nominations from her fellow cadets. She is a popular and extremely kind young sailor who has achieved so much.
“Mia was awarded an RS Tera from the John Merricks Trust in 2019, and this has meant she has been able to represent the club at various events. This Tera will be given back to the club, which then helps another young sailor achieve their goals. Mia is the Felpham Tera expert and teaches lots of beginners how to rig and sail in them. She is always on hand to help training, and was only 12 when she gained her Assistant Dinghy Instructor qualification.
“Mia has helped both children and adults and is particularly patient and kind with those who are nervous. She also helps with lots of social and charity events. Mia was part of the Two Harbour Tera squad at Emsworth Sailing Club for two winters running and bought the skills she learnt there to Felpham, showing how much she had improved. Other achievements for Mia include a certificate of achievement from the RYA, twice was 3rd girl Tera sailor at the RYA Junior Regional Championships and this year was 1st place! She is always modest, always kind and an asset to our club.”