Bart’s Bash, 11+12 Sept 2022

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASF) was established in 2013 after the tragic death of Andrew “Bart” Simpson. Andrew was a talented sailor who firmly believed in the benefits that participation in sport can bring to young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.  ASF now exists to continue Andrew’s vision and to bring change for thousands of young people. ASF’s core purpose is to transform lives through sailing.  

Would your club/friends/family like to take part in Bart’s Bash 2022, ASF’s annual flagship fundraising race? 

Bart’s Bash is a global sailing race taking place at 100’s of venues, with 1000’s of sailors in 100’s of different classes of boat around the world. Founded in 2014, the event was verified by Guinness World Records as ‘The Largest Sailing Race in the World’. 

This year Bart’s Bash takes place on 10-11 September 2022 and is open to all venues globally. Each individual event is organised by a venue and organising authority for all activities at the site. Each of the Andrew Simpson Centres will be hosting events too, so if you would prefer to come take part at your closest centre, here are the locations:  Birmingham, Reading, Portland, Portsmouth

To find out more see the attached event guide and register yourself, your group or your club here

Learn to sail at Medway YC

Have fun this half term and learn a new skill. This 3-day course uses the club’s brand-new fleet of RS Zest dinghies. Royal Yachting Association Stage 1 is an introduction to the parts of the boat and the basic principles of how to get a boat sailing. If you are aged 8-16 years old and interested in learning to sail this course is for you.

MYC members can book and find more information here 

Non-members can book and find more information here £195 per child for a 3 day course.

Sign up now for RYA Discover Sailing (was PTBO) 2020

The RYA has renamed its excellent annual Push The Boat Out campaign to “Discover Sailing” even though it encompasses all kinds of boating. To encourage newcomers into boating, the RYA puts a lot of resources into supporting clubs’ Open Days. To benefit from the RYA’s marketing support, your club must sign up by 7 February (midday) for April and May taster sessions, and by 27 April (midday) for June to September sessions.

The Discover Sailing activator sign up page can be found at www.rya.org.uk/go/discoversailing The form will take you through the process of both ordering your resources and filling in your details for the Discover Sailing Map. For further information please contact discoversailing@rya.org.uk .

You may also wish to attend a webinar on Thursday 23 January at 1900, which will give you insights into planning and running a successful event and will pull together our collective knowledge from running different types of open day events over the last six years. Members of the RDO team will be on hand to give us their thoughts and experience on what makes a successful event. To sign up for the webinar, follow https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1815800976546211587. If you are unable to attend please register anyway as a recording will then be sent to you.

Medway YC joins RYA OnBoard

Medway Yacht Club is on course to inspire the next generation of sailors after joining RYA OnBoard, the national grassroots scheme making it easier and cheaper to get more young people on the water. Since 2005 OnBoard has helped over 900,000 young people try sailing and windsurfing and learn an activity that often stays with them for life. Discover how you can get OnBoard at Medway Yacht Club or find your nearest OnBoard club

Morning Star decommissioned

The MSBA is sad to learn that on 14 December the Morning Star Trust decommissioned its flagship vessel Morning Star of Revelation in a moving ceremony at Chatham Marina. The 19-metre, gaff-rigged ferro-cement ketch with its distinctive maroon sails has been a familiar sight on the Medway when she was not away in the Baltic or even further away. Officially a “tall ship”, Morning Star is the oldest purpose-built sail training vessel in the UK Sail Training fleet and has been in continuous service since 1978.

The MST is a Christian sail training organisation based in Chatham. The Trust’s remaining vessel is an 11-metre Westerly Oceanquest called Bright Star and we understand that a larger, more up to date vessel is being sought to replace Morning Star.

West India Dock Rally, 23-26 Aug 2019

Medway/Swale clubs are invited to join a rally to West India Dock (in the heart of London’s Docklands) on the August bank holiday weekend. The event is organised by the Dockland Scout Project on behalf of the Association of Thames Yacht Clubs. Apart from being a very inexpensive way to visit London there are lots of fun events to watch or join in. For full details click below to download the invitation letter…

For additional info, see reply by Fred Trice.

Nominations invited for RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards

The RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards recognise the outstanding achievement and performance of talented young people in sailing, windsurfing and powerboating. The awards are a fantastic opportunity for clubs and class associations, as well as individuals, to reward those making an impact through performance and dedication – recognising the rising stars of the future.

For more information and to make your nomination visit www.rya.org.uk/go/youthchampion