Encouraging the Next Generation

It is remarkable how much effort is committed toward youth sailing. Participation in so many areas is sky high, but the focus on youth sailing has hastened the involvement for these young sailors in other areas in the sport.

We all have to grow up, and transitioning young people into the adult fleets of the sport needs effort too. How many yacht club junior programs see this as their responsibility too? When young people age-out of their youth boats, what happens next?

One event that has been impacting the landscape on this issue is Cowes Week in England, which attracts around 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world. To grow youth interest, they have an initiative which offers discounted entry fees to boats with crews of under 25 year olds.

The Under 25 Youth initiative, which has been running since 2012, has succeeded in doing what it was originally designed for – inspiring and making it possible for young people to participate. Competition for these teams also includes the Under 25 Trophy.

“We are committed to making racing more attractive and cost-effective for the next-generation of sailors, and are delighted by the increase in youth entries over the past few years,” said Kate Johnson, Commercial & Marketing Director at Cowes Week.

By offering an attractive package to young sailors under the age of 25, it has allowed for young crews to enjoy both the exciting racing and the lively apres-sail scene on the shoreside.

Lendy Cowes Week 2018 takes place on August 4-11.