A good contingent of members went to the Dinghy Show on 21st February.

Neil and Anne collected the Para Pathway status certificate meaning we are a centre for under 18 Para Sailing in boats such as the HANSA or other suitable dinghies/ windsurfers. We therefore are aiming to start a HANSA racing fleet for youngsters, more information early April. There were quite a few club members on stands as well such as Kevin on Fireball, John Sears on National 12.

Two of our members received RYA National Impact awards.

John Sears was awarded the RYA National Unsung Hero award. Many of you will not know how much John has done for not only Notts County, but the National 12 Association and Trent Valley SC. John is one of those people who isn’t often in the limelight, though he should be, a works away in the background and has done a huge amount to keep racing and the club running smoothly. He was Duty Secretary for a decade, before the days of Sailing Club Manager he was highly efficient, using his own custom spreadsheet. Since then he has been Sailing Secretary, another onerous job in the club, making sure there aren’t clashes in water use, taking notes at the Sailing Committee and until this year writing all the Instructions, race sheets and the like. Thank John for your valued input to the club. John sails a Solo or National 12 at the club and has been known to use his RS400 occasionally.

Logan Bell started sailing age 7 and has had experience in many dinghies, he joined the club in 2024. He is a Level 2 Race Coach and has been coaching youngsters in Fevas, and coaching youngsters with additional needs. It is something he has empathy with having medical needs himself. He finds sailing and coaching a great way to counter this. He was deservedly presented with a RYA National Impact Awards as a Rising Star. At 18 he has already made an impact at the club and hopes to increase his involvement at Notts County, helping to introduce many youngsters with additional needs under the recently awarded Para Pathway status for the club.