YOUNG people ranging in age from eight to 16 years took to their dinghies at the Royal Windermere Yacht Club on Saturday morning as part of the ‘youth squad’ training.

The training camp runs for eight weeks (two hours each week) and is part of a series of youth training programmes run by the club, which also include Friday afternoon training camps and the Summer Training certificate programme.

The Royal Windermere Yacht Club’s youth training is spear-headed by RYA-accredited trainers Amanda Wilson (currently the club’s Rear Commodore) and Ian Shirra, assisted by Steven Wilson and Zak Shirra.

28 children and teenagers are currently taking youth training courses run by the club.

Amanda Wilson, who has sailed since she was nine, said: “The club has a long-standing commitment to develop enthusiastic young sailors.

“Not only do they learn new skills and develop a love for sailing, but they also meet new friends, have fun on the water, work in teams, learn to be self-sufficient as solos, and develop their communication skills.”

Amanda, who is an accomplished yachtswoman and taught her own four children how to sail, is an advanced RYA-accredited training instructor.

Each week, Amanda, Ian and the assistant instructors use the clubs fleet of training boats to teach safety on and off the water.

This includes taking the youngsters through how to rig a dingy, tie knots and do rope work correctly, handle a boat in different weather conditions, and set off from and return to the jetty.

Amanda added: “Physical fitness activities, fun and, of course, sailing practice is all part of each week’s youth training.”

Places are always available for young people interested in joining the ‘youth squad’ or signing up for the Summer School.

Details can be found on the club’s website: https://www.royal-windermere.co.uk/

In racing news at the club, in the weekday dinghy racing, James Nield won his race on May 14 in the Denis Hope Trophy Handicap series and now leads in the overall standings

On Saturday May 19, in 17 Footers Yacht racing, Colin Bentley came first at the helm of ‘Liberty’.

In the Flying Fifteens race, Phil Snewin came first in ‘Carbon Footprint’.