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Youth Sailing

When it comes to Youth Sailing, Afloat.ie has got you covered. From regattas to juniors, training and courses to awards and skills, we bring you the most important news and events around the country - as well as those overseas with an Irish interest.

We only need to look at the incredible performance of 22-year-old Annalise Murphy in the Laser Radial at the London Olympics to see what Ireland's younger sailing talent is capable of doing on the world stage. But of course Annalise is just one of a whole new class of youth helms who hold the future of Irish sailing in their hands - whether in the Optimist, RS Feva, Mirror, Laser Radial or 4.7.

Take Finn Lynch, our Sailor of the Month for July 2012 and Annalise's club-mate at the National Yacht Club, who at 16 already had a silver medal at the 2012 Youth Worlds to his name. His 2013 has been just as strong, though he faces a tough challenge from up-and-comers like Strangford Lough's Robbie Gilmore.

Down in Schull there's Fionn Lyden, the runaway winner against the cream of Ireland's crop at the All-Ireland Nationals in September 2012 - earning him his rightful Sailor of the Month accolade - and a talent whose 2013 campaign is off to a great start.

And there's no forgetting Tralee Bay and Royal Cork's Sophie Browne, a silver medallist in 2012's Optimist Worlds at the age of 14 and someone who already knows, despite her tender years, what it takes to get on the podium.

These young sailors and more highlight the success of initiatives such as the ISA Academy programme and the ISAF's Athlete Participation scheme in identifying the potential of youth talent and giving it the support to advance to the highest levels.

Elsewhere, Ireland's universities are also a hotbed of talent that's currently dominating the world inter-varsity scene, with the University of Limerick leading the emerald charge heading into the 2013 Student Yachting Worlds, following the UCD Sailing Team's victory in the 2012 event.

We also highlight the voices at home and abroad calling for a renewed focus on sailing growth. From Roger Bannon's candid assessment of the sailing's state of play to North American sailing chiefs' suggestions, the keywords that keep coming up are accessibility and mentoring to make the sport more attractive to a broader base of young people, and instil in them a lifelong love of the waves.

The Irish Cruiser Racing Association's 'More Sailors, More Sailing' programme is a great example of this, providing expert advice, tuition and training for a new generation of sailors. Youth Sailing aims to bring you the latest developments on this and more.