Junior Week Article

Published 20:34 on 23 Aug 2023

SMOOTH SAILING: LANGSTONE JUNIORS TRIUMPH WITH SUN, SMILES AND SEAFARING SKILLS

SUNSHINE and smiles provided the perfect backdrop for a week of nautical fun in Langstone, as Langstone Sailing Club's annual Junior Week proved a huge success.

Some twenty children ranging from first-timers to seasoned sailors -- took to the waters of Langstone Harbour, some beginning to learn the ways of the sea, others to sharpen their skills.

Supervised and taught by an enthusiastic team of 11 Dinghy Instructors and assistants, the children, from aged 8 to 14, delved into the world of sailing, from mastering the ropes of the RYA Stage 1 syllabus to conquering advanced techniques like spinnaker flying and racing techniques.

The week culminated with a breezy racing regatta on the Chichester side of Langstone Bridge where the youngsters were able to put into practice their new-found skills after four full days of tuition.

"Rookies achieved their Stage 1 certificates through to our more seasoned junior sailors signing off their advanced modules, which is fantastic. It's wonderful to see our junior members grow in confidence from the nervous faces we see at the beginning of the week to the big smiles and eagerness to get out on the water at the end!", said event organiser Drew Bellamy.

Led by veteran senior sailing instructor Melvyn Cooper, Langstone's RYA Principal David Weinstock and the club's Chief Sailing Instructor Edwin Johnson, the club's instruction team also benefitted from a full week on the water with their charges.

"I am really impressed that all our instructors are now home grown and able to do such a good job," Weinstock said. "There feels like a lot of enthusiasm for instructing at the moment which is great for the club and for the junior section."

Fittingly, Junior Week also saw the official opening of the Toby Hamer room, a new construction named after the former club junior and instructor who tragically died aged 23 in a Devon kayaking accident in 2017. Toby was himself a junior who progressed through the junior ranks and became an active instructor in the club, continuing the cycle of student/instructor that keeps the junior section flourishing.

The room was opened by Toby's family in a ceremony presided over by Club Commodore Owen Davies and attended by the full junior cohort as well as other club members.

Langstone is actively recruiting junior members. If you are interested to learn more please get in contact at juniors@langstonesc.org.uk

by Ossian Shine

Last updated 13:42 on 19 April 2024