Accomplished sailor Andrew Baker has been appointed as the new RYA Northern Ireland Performance Manager, taking up the post this week.

Recruitment for the role started in February but was delayed until lockdown measures eased and continued funding form Sport Northern Ireland was confirmed.

Baker takes over from Ballyholme-based 49er sailor Matt McGovern who previously held the role.

Popularly known as 'Hammy' Andrew started competitive sailing at the age of nine, racing Toppers in his native Northern Ireland. By the age of 13, he was selected to be part of the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Squad in Toppers, and two years later in the Laser Youth Squad. After winning the Northern Ireland Youth National Championship, he represented Ireland in the Laser Europeans and World Championship. In 2014, Andrew was selected as part of the British Keelboat Academy and won the IRC National Championship.

His big break came when he got accepted into the Artemis Offshore Academy to be part of the 2015 squad. After training in Lorient, he took part in his first Solitaire – Bompard Le Figaro, finishing the race in 32nd place. Since then he has worked as a professional sailor but has also returned to work and assist as a Senior Instructor at his home club of Quoile YC in Strangford Lough.

Welcoming Andrew to the RYA Northern Ireland team, Chief Operating Officer Richard Honeyford said: "At RYA Northern Ireland, we are delighted to welcome Andrew on board as the new Performance Manager at a critical time for performance sport and our local athletes. With the Olympics delayed until 2021, Andrew will be looking to ensure our High-Performance athletes get the best possible support as well as looking to ensure the pathway and club development plans are prioritised."

Commenting on his new post, Andrew said: "Since our first family holidays on my parents' boat right up to sailing competitively at a professional level, I have always felt very fortunate to be involved in this sport and I realise it would not be possible if not for the work of our clubs, volunteers and the work carried out by the RYANI. Having gone from club racing and through the squad systems myself I know how important this stage of coaching and nurturing is to a future athlete. I hope to carry on the great work carried out by my predecessors and give something back to the sport I love through growing the depth of sailing here in Northern Ireland. To me sailing is a sport for life and I hope it can be for others too."

In the run-up to the return of Topper and Laser dinghy events, RYA Northern Ireland has arranged a series of Open Pathway training events during this month.

The RYANI Open Pathway Training (OPT) is aimed primarily at those sailors who wish to develop their racing skills with a Squad coach in order to help them gain a good understanding of racing within the class and to go on to compete at open class events and the RYANI Youth Championships, and looking to join the RYANI Performance Pathway.

For Toppers the sessions start at Ballyholme on this coming Tuesday 11th August, the others are scheduled for East Antrim on 13th August and Strangford Lough YC on 19th August. For Lasers, the dates are Ballyholme -12 August; Carrickfergus on 14th and Strangford Lough on 18th.

All sessions are strictly limited to 12 Toppers and 10 Lasers

Women on Water became Women online for a festival which should have been held at Carrickfergus Sailing Club but had to be redesigned due to COVID 19.

The festival brought together like-minded women who have been involved in sailing from a young age or as part of the recent Women on Water programmes. The low-cost project runs every year across Northern Ireland and is open to women of all abilities. It lasts four weeks and teaches the basics of sailing and there are lots of social opportunities.

RYA Northern Ireland’s Active Clubs co-ordinator, Lisa McCaffrey explained: “Women on Water is a fantastic programme but our plans had to change. We were still able to hold a very enjoyable online festival and it was a lovely opportunity for everyone to catch up and share insights and information, as well as having a good chat in what has been difficult times for many.”

During the online festival, RYA Northern Ireland’s Development Officer, Mary Martin, delivered an interactive workshop. This included a discussion on the Women on Water programme and how it could be developed. Valuable information was provided on RYA qualifications, including instructor and official qualifications. The participants were able to find out about the benefits of the qualifications, such as delivering sessions at their local club which would allow more people to learn to sail, developing their own boating knowledge and also the potential career opportunities.

The Women on Water Leadership Group then hosted a quiz, with Jennifer Bryce, a graduate from the very first Women on Water programme in 2016, winning a free ticket to next year’s festival which will take place at Carrickfergus Sailing Club.

Speaking after the festival, Jennifer commented: “The talk was very informative and has encouraged me to work towards the Dinghy Instructor qualification. It would be wonderful to be able to teach other women, as I started with the Women on Water course a couple of years ago and have been slightly obsessed with sailing ever since! Just before lockdown, I bought a GP14, with the exciting plans to compete in the GP14 Worlds event in the summer but that has been postponed. My crew, Lara Sunday, also completed the Women on Water course last summer and we got to know each other at the first festival. I can’t wait to take my boat out on the water as I haven’t even sailed it yet. This time last year I was out sailing four or five times a week, I am getting serious withdrawal symptoms!”

Many sailors are slowly returning to the water as the lockdown eases, but they have kept in touch by taking part in RYA Northern Ireland’s virtual forums, learning more about support, opportunities for funding and other important updates.

The club development forums were created by the governing body to connect with affiliated clubs and centres. So far over 20 Northern Ireland clubs and centres have been attending virtually.

RYA Northern Ireland’s Chief Operating Officer Richard Honeyford commented: “Lockdown has led to some very constructive and important discussions within the boating community through the RYA Northern Ireland forums. We’ve covered a wide range of different topics, from NI government advice to funding opportunities and Q&A sessions on the main issues facing our sport. During such a rapidly changing environment, we recognised the need to keep communications open to help address challenges and share valuable learning”.

He went on “We are continuing to provide guidance to clubs and centres on the latest government advice, which allows our members to make informed decisions about how their club is operating as government restrictions ease.”

The most recent forum on Tuesday 9 June provided clubs with discussions on how to safely return to recreational boating activity.

Ballyholme Yacht Club provided a valuable insight into their own journey to ‘Returning to Boating’ and discussed their Covid-19 team approach, which was set up under RYA guidance. Clubs taking part in the forum were given the opportunity to discuss Ballyholme’s journey and explain their own plans.

Lisa McCaffrey, RYA Northern Ireland’s Active Clubs Co-ordinator, commented: “I really miss visiting the clubs during the sailing season so getting the opportunity to connect has been super. The forums give us a chance to explain the work that we are doing including providing guidance to our clubs and centres within the various activities that we cover.”

Further forums are planned, and these will focus on returning to racing, returning to training and further volunteer development, sailability and cruising workshops.

You have probably heard of the Women on Water festival but as this will not happen this year, RYA Northern Ireland is running an alternative - a Women off Water event.

In March, RYA Northern Ireland celebrated when they clinched a prestigious award at the Active Fit and Sporty Awards. With many worthy nominees in the running, RYA Northern Ireland was crowned the winner of the National Governing Body Champion award for its Women on Water (WOW) initiative.

So not to be deterred RYANI will substitute the Women off Water festival. This event is for anyone in Northern Ireland who has completed a Women on Water programme, is interested in boating in NI and in learning more about gaining relevant skills and qualifications.

This online festival on Saturday 6th June will include:

• A workshop on how to gain more qualifications/skills within the RYA and what courses are on offer
• Followed by an online quiz hosted by the fantastic WOW leader group

The contact is Lisa McCaffrey at RYA NI

Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment here

The latest statement from the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland, the governing body for all water activities in Northern Ireland says “In the absence of any further guidance from Government Departments, our current interpretation is that this does permit all forms of boating activity (sailing, windsurfing, powerboating etc) but only when:

• undertaken individually or by members of the same household
• there is no sharing of hard surfaces (including all types of boat)
• public health guidance is followed at all times
• strict social distancing can be undertaken

The current restriction at the time of writing is that the number of people who may gather outdoors from separate households is six with strict social distancing.

As of today, Stormont Ministers have decided there will not be any further changes yet to lockdown measures in Northern Ireland.

In the light of the lack of clarification on particular matters such as launching boats parked on Club premises, (perhaps the Executive has not yet considered the nitty-gritty of sailing) club members are in something of a dilemma about certain aspects of returning to the water, though marinas around the North seem to have made their own assessment of the situation and opened, albeit with strict protocols.

One of these in a quandary is Peter Mullan of Quoile Yacht Club on Strangford Lough. He says, “ I’m at Quoile and wondering at the lack of advice”.

Peter goes on to say “I have heard [May 20] that we can’t use the cranes to launch big boats because we can’t social distance. This is nonsense and means the people giving the advice are ill-informed. This activity involves six or less people meeting in the open air and social distancing” He continues “ Our outdoor toilets, separate from the clubhouse, are closed but yet the toilets at Ardglass golf club were open. It takes weeks to get all our boats in the water so this needs to be sorted ASAP”.

It seems that, like the marinas, each establishment will, of course, adhere to the Pathway to Recovery rules but with local interpretations within those guidelines, depending on the club locality, types of boats sailed and facilities.

For instance, Ballyholme Yacht Club has laid out criteria for its members, which they consider will be in operation when they open. They say in their ‘Return to Water’ planning “Step one of the NI Executive's plan will allow for a return to some on-water activity which we hope will include sailing.

This combined with the easing of restrictions allowing some activity with small groups of four to six people, whilst observing social distancing of two metres at all times, should allow us to open our slipways and dinghy parks and facilitate ‘social sailing’.

This will be an opportunity for members to get afloat albeit in small groups at any one time and mindful that having at least two boats on the water together potentially reduces risk.

The clubhouse will not be available at this stage and sailing will be for single-handed boats or double-handed boats crewed by members of the same household only. Safety cover will not be available at this stage, so sailors must be realistic about their abilities and importantly take into account the sea state and weather conditions to minimise risk”.

The BYC Executive Committee emphasises that these actions will only be implemented when it is safe to do so.

It may come to the point where common sense is the decider.

Update 25/5/20: Following contact from Quoile Yacht Club, Afloat wishes to clarify that Peter Mullan’s comments in relation to 'ill-informed advice' was directed at the Stormont COVID-19 guidelines and not Quoile Yacht Club. We are happy to clarify this point.

RYA Northern Ireland has today welcomed the NI Executive announcement permitting outdoor activity.

The announcement paves the way for the boating community to return to the water, where social distancing and other parameters can be strictly adhered to. The guidance specifically cites social distancing for individuals who do not share a household contact and where there is no shared contact with hard surfaces.

RYANI's Chief Operating Officer explains: "The change to legislation permitting outdoor activity now allows recreational activity on the water, where the necessary parameters are in place. We have been seeking clarification from government agencies and have been assured key messaging is to come out soon. We urge that any activity is always done in a conservative and considerate manner to help safeguard public health and not put any additional pressure on the emergency services”.

Gareth Morrison, RNLI Head of Water Safety, adds: "We completely understand that people will want to take to the water, particularly as the weather improves. Our volunteer lifeboat crews are still ready to respond during the public health crisis. However, we are urging anyone who is planning a return to the water to follow key water safety advice, which includes ensuring equipment is maintained and functioning correctly, and making sure that lifesaving apparatus is available. By following this advice we can work together to enjoy a safer summer and reduce the demand on our crews and other emergency services."

RYANI shared guidance to clubs last week, to allow some preparations to begin, including undertaking risk assessments for club-specific activities and facilities. RYANI asks that all members of clubs and the wider community be patient as any parameters in clubs (that are predominantly volunteer-run) are put in place to protect individuals from the risk of infection.

As further clarification and guidance from the government are provided, RYANI will share the necessary advice and information to assure that risk is minimised and public health prioritised. Further analysis of remaining Steps is being sought in order to assess when further activity, outside recreational boating, could take place.

Richard Honeyford
RYANI

Luke McIlwaine from Newcastle Yacht Club in County Down was the winner of the Northern Ireland region eSailing Championships held yesterday.

McIlwaine will now go on to represent the area at the finals on 30th May. Luke is a software engineer and as well as sailing has a passion for mountaineering.

Luke commented, “small adjustments make a big advantage”.

His prize for this effort is a Musto Dry Tube Bag.

RYANI congratulated the competitors. “We hope you enjoyed it and we are looking forward to seeing more clubs using the eSailing as an opportunity to engage with members and have a bit of fun”. And international yachtsman Mikey Ferguson from Bangor commented “Well done Luke. No catching you after you shot out of the blocks in the first two races”.

In response to Tuesday’s announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive Office launching their “Approach to Decision Making” document, RYANI has been analysing and seeking clarity from government officials on the potential for boating activity in NI.

In preparation for any potential resumption of activity, the Governing Body has issued its guidance for Northern Irish clubs to allow considerate preparations and safe planning before restarting any activity, once permitted under the NI Executive’s Plan. 

The guidance has been created as part of the RYA’s ongoing support for Affiliated Clubs during the Covid-19 pandemic. It includes advice on how clubs may be able to facilitate activity while minimising the risk of transmitting infection (including social distancing and adequate cleaning and hygiene) and how to reduce the likelihood of a call-out to emergency services through enhanced risk assessment, maintenance and safety.

Mary Martin, RYANI’s Development Officer explains: “We are pleased to be able to offer this practical guidance to clubs to help them plan for the future. Clubs in Northern Ireland have closed during this lockdown period and we know people want to ensure they are well prepared for any potential resumption of activity.

“We are encouraging clubs to take their time and use this information to carefully plan and develop their own policies which will best suit their venues. Public Health must remain as the primary concern when clubs are able to ease back into activity. This will likely involve creating a team who will be responsible for reviewing what’s practically possible, deciding what’s best for their club and implementing those decisions effectively with clear communication to their membership.

“We urge the members of clubs and the wider boating community to be patient. We remain with the same restrictions in place until otherwise announced by the NI Executive.”

RYANI recognises that without a definitive timeline for the easing of restrictions, planning for clubs will be difficult. This guidance is to ensure they can be as prepared as possible to facilitate a safe return to activity with appropriate social distancing measures, hygiene procedures and risk management practices.

The RYA as a whole has been working as a collective across all four Home Nations in order to issue guidance that is specific to any restrictions that may be specific to each devolved government.

Guidance for RYA Recognised Training Centres and Instructors has also been issued to Principals.

The RYANI team are also offering a series of online Club Development Forums as an opportunity for people in clubs to come together and share their thoughts on the challenges that lie ahead. Project #SailFromHome also shares interactive webinars and club development content every Thursday.