Olympic Star To Push The Boat Out At Rudyard Lake SC
Written by RYA | 29 April 2014
British Sailing Team's Ali Young coaching club youngster Kieran
A young Staffordshire sailor will get an exclusive insight into what it takes to become a top Olympic sailor when British Sailing Team star, Alison Young, visits Rudyard Lake Sailing Club on Saturday 17 May.
Kieran Melville, 12, will enjoy a unique one-to-one coaching session with the London 2012 star after team sponsors, Volvo Car UK, offered the chance to win a visit from Alison as a prize for a club fundraising auction night to raise money for a new boat.
As well at sharing some of the secrets behind her success with Topper sailor Kieran, Alison, who grew up sailing on Trimpley Reservoir near Bewdley in Worcestershire, will give a talk to club members on her sailing career and memories of London 2012.
She is then set to take the helm of the new club’s new Enterprise dinghy, bought with funds raised from the auction, in a race alongside club members in the afternoon.
Alison’s visit is part of an exciting month for the Leek club, which is opening its doors for all local people to come and enjoy a FREE taste of sailing at its 2014 Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday 5 May (11am-3.30pm).
Saturday 17 May is part of national RYA Push The Boat Out weekend and, as well as welcoming Alison to Rudyard Lake, the day also marks the start of a new club initiative aimed at encouraging youngsters in its Jybaz youth section, and other club members, to get more sailing experience and general coaching by offering free family and friends sailing after each Jybaz session.
Chris Smith, who runs Jybaz, said: “We are really looking forward to Alison’s visit. I’m sure our junior sailors will learn so much from her and will be inspired to try to follow in her footsteps from inland lake sailing in the Midlands to Olympic competition.
“It is especially an incredible opportunity for Kieran, whose dad won the auction for Alison, and we are very grateful to Volvo Car UK for arranging the auction prize and Alison’s visit to Rudyard Lake.
“It’s not often you get to try your hand against an Olympic sailor and everyone at the club is very excited about seeing how they fare against Alison when hopefully she gets out on the water in the new Enterprise. When she takes her place on that start line it will feel like everything has gone full circle, from the auction to having the boat.”
As well as helping to get more people learning to sail at Rudyard Lake, the new Enterprise will also be used by the juniors when they travel to take part in the popular the Southport 12 hour and 24 hour races later this year.
To find out more about how you can get involved at Rudyard Lake SC this year visit http://rlsc.rudyardlakesc.org.uk