See what's on at dinghy show

                                                                 The RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, in association with Suzuki and Yachts & Yachting, is the only place to be over the weekend of 3-4 March if you’re into dinghy sailing. Showcasing all the very best that the dinghy sailing world has to offer, from kit, boats and gear to expert analysis and insight on the Volvo Main Stage and top tips from some of dinghy sailing’s leading experts and coaches in the Coaching Area.

Held at the magnificent Alexandra Palace, London, it is the only show in the world dedicated to dinghy sailing, with over 200 sailing clubs, classes and associations, chandlers and boat builders and a whole host of exhibitors, all under one roof. See what’s on>>>>>> click here

Great Ouse boat owners angry at massive river licence fee increases

Boat owners using the rivers Great Ouse and Cam are furious at changes to the licensing system, which could mean an increase in licence fees of up to 23 per cent and fragmentation of a waterway. The Environment Agency had already announced that licence fee increases for the next three years would be limited to just two per cent plus CPI or 6.4 per cent for 2012. Full Story

Public invited to marine planning drop-in sessions

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is holding 12 public drop-in sessions along the East Coast of England in February to explain what marine planning is, and what it means to coastal communities. Any individuals, marine groups or networks in the plan area are welcome, and can drop in to make sure their views are heard. From residents who enjoy a walk on the beach to keen sailors and anglers, they want to hear from as many people as possible. These sessions will be held over the ten days from the 13 to 23 February, 2012 from 11 am to 3 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm, with the exception of the evening session on the 15 February in Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk, which will run from 6 pm to 8 pm.

For the full timetable, with dates and locations, go to www.marinemanagement.org.uk/marineplanning

More details can be found here>>>>>click here   

Pit your wits against the best

Registration and practice sessions are now open for anyone wishing to take part in the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show SailX Championship 2012. This exciting virtual regatta, powered by the inshore sailboat racing and training game SailX.com, is open to everyone. Heats take place in the seven weeks leading up to the Show, culminating with the live finals at the Show on the Volvo Main Stage over the weekend of 3-4 March, Alexandra Palace, London. Details>>>>> click here

Boris Island airport resurrected

This news that the Government would look at a new London Airport in the Thames Estuary as part of its overall review of airport needs in the South East was met with groans of dismay from East Coast yachtsmen. A number of who contacted RYA East to know what the RYA was doing to squash the idea. The RYA’s legal manager Gus Lewis said: “The Government has confirmed that it will be including proposals for an airport in the Thames Estuary in its broader public consultation on the future of UK aviation.

“This consultation is due to be published in March and we are not expecting to be able to get hold of any more specific information until that consultation is launched. We will, of course, be considering that consultation in detail in due course and we will keep you posted!” RYA East Environmental and Planning co-ordinator Chris Edwards added: “There’s not a lot we can do at this moment, but as soon as we have the details we’ll do our utmost to ensure the minimum effect on recreational boating.”

Garth Cooper, co-author of East Coast Pilot commented: “It’s bad enough having all these wind farms in the Estuary but to plonk a massive development like an international airport in the mouth of the Thames, one of our busiest and most crowded waterways is plain daft. The cost alone will be prohibitive, and what such a structure would do to tidal flows and accretion and scouring doesn’t bare thinking about. It is a great pity that MPs generally see the sea as a dumping ground for all the projects they daren’t mount on land. Enough is enough!”

Sail for Gold Ball gives competitors glittering send off

2012 will be a landmark year for British sailors in their quest for medal glory on home waters, and the RYA’s coveted Sail for Gold Ball will ensure that GBR’s medal contenders are sent off to Weymouth and Portland in style this summer. Held in every Olympic year only, the Sail for Gold Ball is the traditional rousing send-off for Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic-bound sailors, and the stage is set for a fitting celebration at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Wednesday 13 June 2012.

Considered the most significant social event in the Olympic and Paralympic classes sailing calendar, the Ball will bring together the sailors selected to compete for Team GB and Paralympics GB in 2012, as well as some of Britain’s past sailing medallists and special guests from the worlds of commerce, politics, the arts and the media. Funds raised from the Ball also help to support future generations of Skandia Team GBR sailors along the way to achieving their medal-winning ambitions. The Ball will be held at the London Hilton, which is also the headquarters hotel for the Olympics. Opportunities exist for companies or individuals to support the Sail for Gold Ball 2012, with details of hospitality, auction and prize packages, as well as ticket ordering details, available via the Ball website at www.sailforgoldball.co.uk

Funding workshop is a must

Following the success of the initial round of winter workshops back in November our RDO Robbie Bell has organised three more rounds of interactive sessions designed to help your club in its development aims for 2012 and beyond. The key subject this time is funding. The series is aimed at clubs wishing to apply for Sport England ‘Small Grants’ for boats/equipment and the new, exciting funding pot, ‘Inspired Facilities’ that opens again in early February. Robbie said: “The Small Grant is where we have been most successful with 100 per cent success rate for clubs whose applications we have been involved with in the East. The Inspired facilities grant is hotly contested, but we will help you to understand what makes a good bid having had applications succeed in gaining nearly £200,000 in the first round alone. We will talk through the key elements of a successful grant and make you aware of funding streams available to your club.” For details of all workshops, dates, venues and enrolment, please click on the TRAINING page

Inspired Facilities Fund helps four East clubs

Four Eastern Region sailing clubs have won sizeable grants from Sport England’s Inspired Facility Fund. Three clubs, Deben YC, Broxbourne SC and Brightlingsea SC each received grants of £50,000. Harwich Town SC won a £45,000 grant. The grants were made for improvements to the club’s facilities; at Deben YC help towards a new slipway, at Broxbourne help for shoring up and making the waterfront safe and secure, while at Harwich and Brightlingsea the money goes towards better clubhouse facilities. In all 17 sailing clubs and centres across the country secured funding as part of Places People Play, Sport England’s programme to deliver a London 2012 legacy of increased mass participation in sport. Inspired Facilities is investing £50 million of National Lottery funding in up to 1000 community sports projects between 2011 and 2014. Funding will help club’s to refurbish or upgrade sports facilities or to convert existing buildings into venues suitable for sport, which are accessible to the whole community.

“There are four remaining rounds of funding between now and 2014. Sport England wants this to be different to previous capital funding - more simple and accessible to people that have not got the skills, experience, expertise to pursue other applications,” explained Graham Manchester, RYA Strategic Lead on Adult Participation. “If your club facilities are looking tired and an investment would increase usage and community activity you should consider this fund. It offers a great change in the Olympic year for a lasting legacy in our sport,” he added. The RYA Sport Development Department has produced a handy guide for clubs interested in applying for the fund, which can be found at  www.rya.org.uk/go/if  or download it here

Project windsurfing takes off in the East

Project Windsurf is starting to make an impact in the Eastern Region. There have been a number of windsurfers signing up from the region onto the website – www.projectwindsurfing.org.uk  – reports Regional Windsurf Coach Philip Winfield. In addition he has several other clubs or groups interested in joining the site. Brogborough Windsurfing club, for example, has established a site that links members of the group to the Brogborough website; the club has been actively using the site to publicise its events and activities. Full story on the windsurfing page

More disabled people can go afloat in power boats

The Disabled Powerboating Trust is a new charity that aims to get more people with disabilities on the water in power. It was launched at the London Boat Show by its first ambassador, Geoff Holt MBE, who is a wheel chair user. He encouraged individuals and companies both in and beyond the marine industry to get involved. He revealed that, although there are many sailing charities for people with disabilities, this is the first charity to use powerboats.

The Charity’s board of Trustees includes Robert Braithwaite CBE, President of Sunseeker International; Chairman Ian Davies, Council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, Shelley Jory-Leigh, British Powerboat champion, Tracey Clarke, media specialist and Andy Fell, disability expert. The Trust will raise money from individual and corporate donors, identify providers of suitable craft, make grants and provide information to those with disabilities who wish to access the water under power

Getting withdrawal symptoms, can’t wait for summer?

Now's the time to gen up on some of your sailing knowledge and clear some of the New Year fug. Regional Development Officer Robbie Bell has laid on a series of courses over the winter period, aimed at improving our sailing techniques; they range from first aid to power boat and dinghy instructor courses. And they're not expensive. For full details of when, where and how much can be found on the Training page

Rumblings grow over Belgian attitude to UK red diesel in boats

 Recent comments by local yachtsmen on a national on-line forum have fired up the debate on whether or not the Belgians and Dutch are right to penalise UK yachtsmen for having red diesel in their tanks. We have received a number of comments and e-mails on the subject, including one from Woodbridge Cruising Club member John Crowe which included copies of letters received from both the Belgian Government and from a UK MEP; both of which indicated we were naughty boys and in breach of regulations. There appear to be two elements to the problem with some apparent confusion between different EU Directorates, one being the continued use of marked diesel and the other whether or not Member States are allowed to penalise individuals for having red diesel in their tanks. The Belgians are just as firm with their own yachtsmen who legitimately load on marked diesel when visiting non-EU countries. We asked Gus Lewis the RYA’s Legal Manager and Stuart Carruthers, the Cruising Manager for the latest update.  click here for full story

Race Management Conferences

Eastern Region Race Officials Regional Conference – Royal Harwich YC – 11th February 2012.
Regional Race Management Seminar – Grafham Water Sailing Club – 28th/29th January 2012.

Full details of both are on the Training page 

Entries open for the 2012 RYA Volvo Youth National Championships

After a successful 2011 for Britain’s youth sailors entries for the 2012 RYA Volvo Youth National Championships, the premier event on the RYA Youth Racing calendar, are now open. click for the full story

Going to the London Olympics by boat?

PLA has announced it is putting in more temporary moorings for visitors, but they must book them in advance (see this page). For details of the moorings, which are being laid in the New Year, following these two links:  NM87 PLA  and  NM88 PLA

Book berths for sailing Olympics

Applications for booking visitor berthing in Weymouth and anchorage in Weymouth Bay during the sailing events of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are now open. All berths and anchorages between 16 July and 9 September 2012 must be pre booked. To avoid disappointment please book early. The first phase of applications closed on 12 December 2012. The response was good response and all those customers who have been allocated a berth have until 5 February 2012 to confirm their booking. All requests for bookings now received are being held over and will be allocated after 5 February and must be confirmed no later than 1 March. click for the full story and links 

e-Borders programme is to go ahead unchanged

The RYA is “disappointed” to learn that Government still intends to progress with its original plans to introduce the proposed e-Borders programme into the recreational boating sector in 2014.

Gus Lewis Head of Government Affairs commented: “It’s disappointing that despite the inherent flaws in the proposed programme, which we have been pointing out to Government regularly over the last three years, it apparently still intends to implement the proposed programme without any attempt to address these flaws.

“The Government has yet to publish a comprehensive explanation of how the e-Borders scheme will in practice be rolled out in the recreational boating sector but we understand that it will be based on a system of self-reporting voyages to and from the UK via a dedicated website up to 24 hours prior to departure.”
click here for the full story