RYA WINTER 2020
different, being outdoors, where you feel like you’re accomplishing something.’ Gavin believes the OnBoard programme is ‘a really
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good way of breaking down barriers’. Some years ago, before the programme came about, GT Adventure worked with a group of 12- and 13-year-olds through Birmingham Settlement Group, a charity that supports people experiencing isolation and financial or social exclusion. ‘Many of these kids were in gangs,’ explained Gavin, ‘but when they did sailing activities we started breaking down the barriers – they went out on the water, enjoyed sailing, and they started talking.’
For many children at Tollgate School, this will have been their first time in a boat.
the scheme has on young people and proves what a seasoned sailor already knows: that sailing isn’t only good for you, but helps develop the personal skills that can change your life. For last year’s cohort of Tollgate sailors, taking part in the OnBoard programme had ‘a significant impact on their attainment,’ confirms Emma. ‘Our standardised scores went up in maths and English. We noticed not only a difference with the academic side of things but it improved their behaviour, their self-confidence, their team-building skills, their co-operation. It wasn’t just about sailing; the impact was measurable in all areas. And they loved it.’ Chatting to the group who previously took part, who are now in Year 6, the positivity about sailing was clear. Ruby called it ‘joyous’, Grace liked ‘trying something new’, Mahnoor said they ‘had to work together’, and Ronnie said, ‘It made me feel like I could start other new stuff.’ ‘There were a lot of frightened faces at the start,
building confidence and character
“i liked putting the boat together – it was fun” adnan
but they got more confident,’ explains their teacher, Billy Cove. ‘Going into Year 6, I saw that the children who did the course definitely had increased resilience. They’re willing to put their hands up more and try new things. We had loads who fell in but what they then realised is that it’s totally fine. They come from lots of challenges, in and out of school, and I saw a change in their personalities; they became braver, more resilient.’
The impact of OnBoard can be seen around the country. In Birmingham, the programme runs at GT Adventure, where senior instructor Gavin Bennett says the feedback from parents has highlighted the benefits. ‘They come in and say, “This has really changed [my child], he’s doing better at school, his behaviour is better at home,” and that’s down to doing something
At the Dinton Activity Centre in Wokingham, the OnBoard scheme is offered through weekly sessions for eight- to 13-year-olds and 13- to 16-year-olds, where they get out in a Topaz Uno or RS Neo. (They’ve been learning single-handed sailing because of Covid-19, but in a regular year they use an Argo or Xeno for double-handed sailing.) Jack Walling, senior instructor at Dinton, says the main difference with OnBoard instructing is that it’s less goal-oriented. ‘OnBoard is about getting out there and enjoying the water,’ he explains. ‘It’s fantastic from an instructing point of view because you have the same kids returning week after week, so you get to see them develop, which is really rewarding. We’ve had young people subject to bullying at school and sailing has been a bit of an escape from all that. Some of the kids from the OnBoard programme have gone on to be instructors.’ Back at Royal Docks, a few children in buoyancy vests begin ramming into each other, acting
like bumper cars. Sailing Development Officer Asher Robinson explains why it’s important to take care of your buoyancy aid – but he understands, admitting:
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