Young people learnt about sailing, teamwork, and the RNLI as they raced from Guernsey to Poole

Tuesday 20 August 2024

A race inspired by 200 years of the RNLI’s lifesaving work saw young people in 13 yachts sail between Guernsey and Poole.

It involved more than 155 people, of whom 115 were under 25, with yachts ranging from 38ft to 98ft.

Pictured: Some of the young people that took part in the race at the RNLI. Credit: RNLI/Harrison Bates.

The race, organised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations, was open to any of its vessels on which at least half the crew is under 25.

Many of those taking part had no sailing experience and they were trained in Guernsey before setting off under the guidance of experienced crew. 

The week-long event began with a tour of St Peter Port lifeboat station and lifeboat, and culminated on arrival in Poole, with tours of the RNLI College and All-weather Lifeboat Centre, where the charity builds its biggest lifeboats.

Andy Wright, RNLI Area Operations Manager for Guernsey who skippered a ship in the race, said: “It was fantastic to be able to offer the young people the chance to experience a multi-day sailing journey, and to introduce them to the range of employment and volunteering opportunities the RNLI offers at the same time. They learned a lot of new skills, and they found out about the charity’s lifesaving work over 200 years and opportunities they can take advantage of going forward. 

Pictured: Guernsey's inshore lifeboat Harold Hobbs at the ATSO race. Credit: Ollie Burton/RNLI.

“The charity has been saving lives at sea for 200 years and it’s vital that we engage young people with our mission if we’re going to keep saving lives for another 200. We hope that some of these youngsters will go on to be lifeboat volunteers and supporters, and this will be the inspiration that starts their RNLI journey.”

Izzy Lynn, 19, from Bristol, is going to university in Plymouth in September to study Fine Art. Her dad is crew at RNLI Portishead. 

She said: “Other than one or two days as a kid, I hadn’t done much sailing. I’ve had lots of fun on the ASTO Small Ships Race, meeting lots of great people. I’ve learned so much about sailing including knots, wind direction, tides and how high maintenance boats are. 

Pictured: Izzy Lynn. Credit: Ollie Burton/RNLI.

“I’ve also learned a lot about teamwork, with 16 of us living in a 68 square foot space. It took us 39 hours, 55 minutes to cross the Channel because there was no wind, so you really get to know each other. 

“One of the best things has been meeting all the new people, it’s really helped prepare me for university.’ 

Ms Kerry McMillan, ASTO’s Chief Executive, said: “This race was inspired by the RNLI's 200th Anniversary with the aim of raising awareness of the impact on, and value to, young people of sail training and adventure afloat generally, and I think we have achieved that.

“Rising rates of mental health challenges, including issues such as anxiety, have been compounded by the Covid pandemic which effectively resulted in a whole generation of young people who missed so many opportunities at key stages in their development.

Pictured: l-r, Lifeboat volunteers Ian Lazenby, Nathan Meager, Jon Butler, Chris McGugh, Claire Smith and Andy Wright. Credit: RNLI.

“This week's activities have enabled the young people to learn practical and social skills at sea, and discover how the RNLI lifeboats are made while being inspired by the charity’s lifesaving work and opportunities it presents to young people.”

The Association of Sail Training Organisations is made up of 31 sailing charities, with a fleet of more than 50 sail training vessels.

Each year, ASTO members enable over 12,000 young people and people with additional needs to undertake life changing adventures afloat.

Pictured (top): The fleet in the marina. Credit: Chris George.