Your letters
Emailthe.editor@rya.org.uk
Sailing is my therapy
I had very little confidence in myself, due to lack of motivation and previously being bullied at school. I’d always wanted to get into a sport, and I started sailing due to my boyfriend’s passion for it. I’ve been sailing for over a year and have practised as hard as I can to get to my position now – I’ve competed in the GP14 Youths 2023 and was in a rather good position for my first event, 13/17. Sailing, either single- or double-handed, is almost therapeutic as it’s the only thing you can focus on. Even though the rules can get you in a proper muddle at the start, it really is a great sport. I’m very glad I got the opportunity to join a lovely club that always supports my sailing and development as a person. I plan to do even more competing next year. I can confidently say I’ve
Star letter Sailing carries me
I found my love for all things water when my mum took me to a special education needs (SEN) session at Midland Sailing Club four years ago. I’ve had a disrupted educational journey due to my SEN needs; I have autism and ADHD and attend a special needs school. The club has trained me and I now compete in regular club racing, often coming mid-fleet. I’ve also taken part in some ILCA and Hansa opens and the Southport 12-hour race. Sailing has given me so much; I found confidence, resilience and a
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rya.org.uk AUTUMN 2025 Robyn Taylor A life’s passion, shared
I grew up in Kenya and spent many hours on the beaches of Mombasa, learning to sail dhows with the local fishing kids. I also learnt how to mend fishing nets and to splice rope, a skill I still draw from today. When I was 13
Robyn feels happier since starting
my family returned to the UK, where I completed my first sailing course at Drakes
Island Adventure centre in Plymouth and got my first sailing qualification. For many years I was crew in various racing series around the Solent, RORC events, Fastnet and Round Britain races. I went to night school and completed my Yachtmaster Theory course and then the Practical. During a career
passion that I was missing. When life has been tough, sailing has carried me through – with huge support from my mum, commodore and other adult sailors at the club. I now own two boats (a Topper and an ILCA) and have sailed numerous others. I can’t wait to go further; currently
I have my RYA youth level 4 in sailing and level 2 in windsurfing. I want to be an RYA instructor in sailing and windsurfing and progress my sailing at opens. I’m hoping to take my AI and safety boat course once I turn 14. I recently won seven awards at the annual club awards night and won the Young Achievers Award last
YOUR BOATING MEMORIES SPECIAL
To celebrate 150 years of the RYA, this issue we’re using these pages to display the
www.rya.org.uk/stories/your-story
found myself again and am much happier due to starting this sport!
break from the police I enjoyed racing around the world, meeting my wife along the way! In retirement I became an advanced powerboat and cruising instructor and a short-range communications instructor – I’m chief instructor at Chichester Boat Club. This is my nearly full-time job, alongside my rope-splicing business. I love every minute of being out on
the water; sharing my passion with those just starting out or wishing to develop their skills. I consider myself blessed to still be doing something I have loved since I was four years old.
Paul Pearson Rogue wave beware
We were sailing out of Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, in my friend’s Merlin Rocket. It was a good day, the wind was force 2–3 and warm, with gentle seas. We were through the inshore breakers and rising to the rollers. There was one roller that looked big; we thought, ‘Surely that won’t
November at the Sport Birmingham Community Celebration Awards.
Khiaan-Paul Schild
Khiaan-Paul wins an HX210E from Standard Horizon – a great piece of kit when you’re out on the water. Not only is it a handheld VHF radio, it also includes an FM radio, which means you can listen to your favourite stations too. It’s waterproof, that immediately activates
www.standardhorizon.co.uk
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