Emsworth club's efforts in tough year give it national award chance

Emsworth Sailing Club has reached the national final of the RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year Award 2021.
A young Emsworth SC member with an environmental messageA young Emsworth SC member with an environmental message
A young Emsworth SC member with an environmental message

The award scheme, supported by Gallagher, recognises the outstanding achievements of sailing clubs across the UK and promotes the hard work and dedication that goes into running a successful club – a feat made even more challenging this year with Covid-19 restrictions to contend with.

As an RYA south region finalist, the volunteer-run club is one of ten finalists from across the UK and a public vote will now decide the winner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The club is hoping members, local sailors and nearby residents will vote for the club in its bid to become the national RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year.

Emsworth Sailing Club members on a pre-lockdown litter pickEmsworth Sailing Club members on a pre-lockdown litter pick
Emsworth Sailing Club members on a pre-lockdown litter pick

Peggy Field, Emsworth Sailing Club sustainability co-ordinator said: “We are incredibly excited as a club - being a finalist is a first for us and is welcome positive news at the end of a very challenging year for everyone.

“Whilst COVID curtailed much of our club programme, we pulled together to do what we could to support members and our local community.

“During the first lockdown, we opened up our boat park, next to the coastal footpath, so local residents had space to walk maintaining social distancing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Despite not being allowed on the water, our members took to virtual racing, keeping sailors of all ages engaged.

“As soon as we could, we got back to training and racing, albeit with restrictions in place.

“We realised how important this was to the wellbeing of our members – being back in the fold of their club.”

In addition to the club reaching the final, the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) has also given Emsworth Sailing Club special recognition for its sustainability achievements.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier this year the club launched its Environment Plan, which has embedded environmental thinking into the club’s decision-making, making it part of the club DNA and affecting every aspect of club activity, from on the water to in the office and even at the bar.

Numerous actions have been implemented to help ‘green’ the club, including fitting trigger nozzles on hoses to reduce water use and using LED lighting in the clubhouse.

The club recycles as much as possible and looks to ‘repurpose’ things like old rope, that would have previously been thrown away.

The club’s RYA training principal also makes sure instructors are trained to be ‘green’ so ‘on the water teaching’ does not disturb harbour wildlife and habitats.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite not having the full calendar of racing events, those that have gone ahead have been greener, with online registration and tallying.

Peggy added: “We are incredibly proud to receive special recognition for all our work on sustainability.

“All members, whether they sail, surf, swim or paddle, appreciate how amazing our very own blue - ‘Chichester Harbour’ - is. We want to make sure we look after it for the next generation of sailors.”

Voting closes on January 25. The overall winner will be announced at the RYA Virtual Dinghy Show. To vote visit awards.yachtsandyachting.co.uk/rya/

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The club has also developed local links and reached out to other clubs in the area to share knowledge and maximise impact.

Having celebrated its 100th year in 2019, the club has a very forward-facing focus, including an emphasis on youth development.

The club’s juniors have also been very pro-active in helping with litter picks and making videos on plastic pollution.

Peggy said: “There is still more to be done and we are really excited to be in contact with other local clubs around the Harbour to share ideas and learn from each other. From the youngest to oldest member, our club community has come on board to take action to support a sustainable Emsworth Sailing Club. By going green we can save our blue!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Michelle Gent, RYA Programmes Manager said: “A huge congratulations to all ten Club of the Year finalists. This has been an especially challenging year for clubs and each and every person involved in the running of these organisations has put in a tremendous amount of time and effort so that others can safely get afloat. Now it’s over to you to pick a winner!

Rob Peake, group editor of Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting, said: “Anyone who started at club level as a child, or who joined a club as their entry to the sailing world as an adult, knows how vital that experience can be.

“A good club will show you how to get better at sailing and encourage you to continue sailing. A great club will help you simply enjoy sailing and it will welcome people from all parts its local community. The Club of the Year Award is unique in that it recognises the hard work that goes on behind the scenes by volunteers to make sailing clubs great, and to encourage more people into our sport.”