KIDS ONBOARD FOR 2012!

Over the last few weeks Rockley Watersports has continued to build its legacy for 2012 by working with the Poole School Sports Partnership, to get 270 Poole school children out on the water at Poole Park. The initiative, which was partly funded by the School Sports Partnership, saw the children trying Bell Boating, Kayaking and Sailing as part of the 'Onboard' initiative to get more kids on the water. 

Deborah Wheatley, School Sports Co-ordinator explained: “The School Sports Partnership has been tasked with encouraging children to take part in five hours of physical education a week so the tie up with Onboard was a perfect fit to help fulfil this criteria in the safe shallow water at Poole Park.  “The children have all had such a fantastic time that we would like to do it for five days next time! It has really helped them to build relationships on the water and even some of the children who don't usually like to take part in classroom activities have really enjoyed it as it is such a different learning environment and the Rockley staff have been wonderful.” 

Onboard is run by sailing's National Governing Body, the RYA, and is a highly successful industry supported grassroots programme which seeks to make sailing easier to get into for young people. Over a ten-year period, the programme aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants. So far it's nicely on track! For details about the 12 for 2012 initiative visit www.weymouth.gov.uk and click on 2012. 

For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA's website www.rya.org.uk or the Onboard website www.ruob.co.uk