Daisy scoops mega prize haul in RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show Start Sailing Competition 

With star prize of a Topaz Taz dinghy...

Sixteen year old Daisy Swinbourne from Clacton-on-Sea has been crowned winner of the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show Start Sailing Competition 2014 and scoops up the winner takes all, mega prize package.  

After entering the free prize draw at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show back in March Daisy was picked from amongst some 1500 entries as the grand prize winner.  It was her answer to the tie break question ‘why do you want to get into sailing?’ that clinched the deal with her response ‘I am wanting to find a sport I can participate in as I am partially disabled.’   

Daisy’s bumper prize package included a star prize of a brand new Topaz Taz dinghy, with full rig courtesy of Topper Sailboats International Ltd, plus all these other amazing prizes:

• Wetsuit, Boots, Spraytop, Buoyancy Aid donated by Gul
• Sailing Watch, Sunglasses and Kitbag donated by Ronstan
• Garmin VIRB Elite action camera
• A pair of deck shoes from Deck Shoes Unlimited
• Start Sailing course with SWAC
• Years free subscription to Yachts & Yachting magazine
• A year’s free junior membership at Datchet Water Sailing Club
• Selection of RYA Publications  

“I was so surprised when I found out I had won.  It feels really good to be the winner of this amazing prize”, commented Daisy.  

As well as collecting all her amazing prizes Daisy, who has cerebral palsy, had the chance to chat with RYA Sailability Regional Organiser for the South East, Fleur Bryant, who also has cerebral palsy about sailing techniques, getting started and getting together for some one-to-one tuition.  

“It was great that Fleur was able to go along to the prize giving ceremony to talk to Fleur about getting started in sailing” commented Debbie Blachford, RYA Sailaiblity Manager.  “Some disabled people feel that sailing might not be a sport for them but in fact it is one of the most accessible sports around and many thousands of disabled people enjoy sailing on a regular basis.”  

Jon Manners from Topper International, who kindly donated the star prize commented: “We like to get involved in this competition as it gives something back and helps the RYA promote the great sport of sailing.   “The Topaz Taz is a great boat for beginners and ideal for kids and I’m sure Daisy will have loads of fun out on the water.”  

“The ‘Start Sailing’ competition was aimed at people who had never sailed before or perhaps were thinking about getting back in to the sport”, explained Show Co-ordinator Charlotte Pearson. 

“The idea of the area is to give people coming to the show who are just getting started or want to find out more the chance to chat with experts at the show about the best boats, where to learn, kit and much more, and the competition is the cherry on the cake giving visitors the chance to win everything they need to get started.”  

Daisy is an active member of RYA affiliated Gunfleet Sailing Club, where she is one of a number of members with special needs. Richard Walker, Commodore, says: We pride ourselves that our volunteer members do all we can to use sailing as a tool to support and strengthen the integration of our members with special needs into mainstream society." For more on the club visit www.gunfleetsailingclub.co.uk

Daisy ended the day by saying: “If you visit the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show next year make sure you take part in the ‘Start Sailing’ competition because you could be a winner like me!”  

The RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show 2015 takes place over the weekend of 28 February – 01 March.  To find out more about the show visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ryadinghyshow    

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