Welsh Sailing has taken delivery of a brand new fleet of ILCA dinghies to support its performance pathways thanks to a major grant from Sport Wales.
A total of £131,325 (€156,459) was awarded by Sport Wales to RYA Cymru Wales for the boat provision scheme to benefit Welsh youth squads and aspiring racing sailors at clubs.
A lorry stacked to the roof with a shipment of 18 ILCAs from Ovington Boats near Newcastle was received at Plas Heli Welsh National Sailing Academy during the half-term holiday (Monday 28 October).
The overall cost of the initiative was £146,000 (€173,875) with the Sport Wales grant towards the initiative supported by Welsh Government funding.
Each boat has an ILCA 6 rig and the fleet also has nine ILCA 4 and six ILCA 7 rigs — providing options for male and female sailors aged 14 to 21-plus and adults. There are three six-stacker road trailers for storage and transport.
The fleet will be based at Plas Heli over the winter months (September-March) and used by the Welsh squads, with sailors able to ‘rock up and train’ rather than tow their own boats to Pwllheli from across the length and breadth of Wales.
It will enable sailors to car share or use public transport, reducing travel and training costs for parents and resulting in a lower carbon footprint. Sailors will also be able to use boats of similar standard, making the sport more accessible for those unable to afford new kit.
From April to August the boats will be moved to performance pathway ‘hub’ clubs across Wales which run regular youth activity. The rationale for 18 ILCAs supports a 1:6 coaching ratio and taking the boats on the road using triple or six-stacker trailers.
Plans include using the boats for the upcoming Celtic Cup in Northern Ireland for youth teams from the Home Countries; training and racing in Europe; Pride Sports Cymru’s EuroGames 2027 in Cardiff; adult improver training at clubs; and team racing events.
Foreign teams will also be invited to charter the boats to attend squad camps in Wales, bringing world class training opportunities for Welsh sailors to their doorstep. Small hire fees and chartering will generate income to maintain the boats to a high standard.
For more, see the RYA website HERE.
