OnBoard Pico Open attracts 54 young sailors 

Fluky conditions in Southampton Water added a dimension to the challenge of the spectacular OnBoard Pico Open held on Sunday 29th June where 54 young sailors took to the water at Southampton Solent University...

... for a series of races in both single handed and double handed classes.   

Some of the Picos, a very popular design for young sailors, were equipped with just a mainsail for the single handed sailors, while others carried a jib and were sailed with both a helm and crew.

Three races were completed over two different courses at the Uni’s Watersports Centre in Southampton Water, followed by a very enjoyable barbecue at the end of the day.  

A 1, 3 and a 4 were the results needed to make it a winning day for Luke Doble from SWAC in the single handed class, while Owen and Oscar Morgan of Warsash SC scored two firsts out of the three races in the double handed class, to gain top position. 

Also on the podium at the end of the event were Sienna Adderley (SWAC) second and Gabe Pickering (Hill Head) third in the single handed class and William Raynor and Grace Newbold (Hill Head SC), second and Jake Hallam and Charlie Swift-Jeffry (Warsash SC), third in the double handed class.  

The youngsters, from aged 8 to aged 18 came from a number of sailing clubs around the area including Warsash Sailing Club, Hill Head Sailing Club, Hamble River Sailing Club and Southampton Water Activities Centre. All have been learning to sail as part of the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) Onboard scheme which encourages children onto the water at low cost through schools, youth groups and clubs.  

The event organiser, Hannah Cockle, the RYA’s new Sailing Development Officer (SDO) for the south explained “The event gave the Onboard students a great chance to race against each other and show off what they have learnt.   “Sometimes there was no wind, then it would fill in and completely changed direction.  The kids had a lot to think about, especially after the course had to be changed after the first race was completed.”  

This was the first event for Hannah who has recently taken over the SDO role from Samantha Jones.  “We had a great day; everyone was having fun and improved throughout the day, despite the tricky wind conditions! The volunteers that came from the participating clubs were fantastic, helping to make the event run smoothly.  It was a fitting final event for Sam too.”    She added “The really great news is that we managed to raise enough cash from the BBQ to run the event again next year!”  

Run by the RYA, OnBoard is a grass roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged 8 to 18.   Over a ten year period OnBoard has introduced 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK and is aiming to convert over 10% of them into regular participants. So far it’s nicely on track.  

Click here for more information about how to get involved in sailing.