Youngsters across the country are gearing up to hit the water as the RYA’s Regional Junior Championships returns for 2021.

A festival of racing held at multiple venues across the country over two weekends, the Regional Junior Championships caters for young sailors of all abilities from those just starting out to seasoned racers.

Over the course of the weekends of September 18 and 19, and September 25 and 26, hundreds of children will descend on 10 sailing clubs, right the way from Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) to Derwent Reservoir in the Lake District and as far north as Loch Tummel in Scotland.

The festivities kick off this weekend with three regattas for junior windsurfers, held at WPNSA, Datchet Water Sailing Club and Glossop Sailing Club.

The following weekend will see dinghy racers head to events at WPNSA, Grafham Water Sailing Club, Queen Mary Sailing Club, Carsington Sailing Club and Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club.

Plas Heli will host the Welsh Regional Junior Championships over the second weekend, while Northern Ireland’s Carrickfergus Sailing Club hosted its regatta over September 12 and 13.

The Regional Junior Championships features three fleets: the Championship Fleet for more experienced racers, the Coached Regatta Fleet for those wanting to get their first taste of racing, and the OnBoard Fun Fleet for children who are new to sailing.

Chris Atherton, the RYA’s National Performance Manager, said: “The Regional Junior Championships have a rich history and are much-loved by junior sailors around the country.

“It’s fantastic to shine a spotlight on regional racing across the UK and really support our young sailors in their development as racers. We can’t wait for the next two weekends, which promise plenty of great racing and lots of fun.”

Entries for the windsurfing events are now closed but dinghy sailors can enter up until September 19.

For more information or to enter a regatta please go to https://www.rya.org.uk/racing/british-youth-sailing/events/british-youth-sailing-regional-junior-championships.

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