In the next few weeks, the latest lot of youngsters to benefit from the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) and OnBoard tie-up will learn if they have ‘won’ the use of a boat or board for the next two years.

We often hear stories from previous recipients as to how the award, which is now in its fourth year, has made a massive difference to their own personal development.

But an aspect that is sometimes overlooked is the ongoing value of the JMST/OB partnership is the legacy it leaves with their club or centre too.

One of the key aspects of the arrangement is once the two years is up, the kit then falls under the ownership of that sailor’s club or centre. That means new kit for their training fleet and the chance to encourage even more kids to stay in the sport. When retaining sailors is so hard after 16, having good kit and motivated sailors goes a long way in fuelling a love of the sport that naturally keeps them wanting to sail regularly.

Two years ago William Russell, who learned to windsurf with OnBoard in 2013 at North Lincolnshire and Humberside Sailing Club, was awarded a Bic Techno windsurf board with a 5.8 sail by the JMST. You can read his story here…Windsurfing William wins a JMST Bic Techno

His passion for the sport saw mum, Vicky, and dad, Steve, also started windsurfing and Vicky especially got heavily involved in the club, firstly getting involved in safety and Team15 and now having qualified as an RYA Start Windsurfing Instructor, taken over the mantle of the club’s T15 coordinator and becoming club secretary.

As a result Vicky has seen the value of the JMST kit from both sides of the fence, and she knows what a difference it will make to the next generation of North Lincs and Humberside windsurfers.

Vicky said: “The kit has already been integrated into the club. Will wasn’t quite ready for the 5.8 sail when he received it in December 2014, so he initially continued using the 4.5 Dino purchased for him by the club while other sailors made use of the 5.8.

“We’re trying to build T15 back up at North Lincs and Humberside and get more kids into Zone squads after a bit of drop off. We had 25 registered children windsurfing on our T15 evenings, so to help them progress we, like so many clubs, need Techno boards. It’s what they all want to sail but getting decent, good condition kit isn’t easy for not-for-profit, volunteer member-led clubs like ours.

“The kids typically start on training kit of Motions or Mambas, but the really keen ones want to move on pretty quickly. They see the better kids sailing and competing on Technos and that’s where they want to be.

“Technos keep them motivated to stay involved, they think they’re getting the best kit and that enthuses them. When they’re in the harness, they’re excited and want to learn more. Even if they’re not quite ready, allowing them to try harnessing gives them an added motivation to get better and progress from the beginner kit.”

This year the club had five Technos allocated on a discretionary first come, first served basis. With Will’s kit added to the mix, plus the club winning another new Techno board in the recent T15 Champion Cup raffle, they now have seven.

Vicky says the club committee have been extremely supportive in helping T15 refresh their kit but like so many club relying on members to fund and run it, there is not a limitless pot of money, making initiatives like the JMST/OB partnership potentially invaluable not just to individual sailors but in club’s getting new kit.

She also highlights how the more good kit a club can accrue can help buy time for the parents of newbie sailors or windsurfers in not having to rush out and invest themselves, when perhaps their child isn’t 100% committed.

Vicky added: “Just as Steve and I had never windsurfed or been to the club before Will started windsurfing, many other parents are in the same boat. They know nothing about the sport, what kit’s good, where’s best to get good secondhand kit, trailers, all those sorts of things. We were in exactly that situation two years ago.

“Clubs being able to provide youngsters with a good selection of quality kit themselves means parents can take their time in firstly ascertaining if their child wants to keep sailing and secondly, through speaking to people and other parents at the club, learning what they need to know about the sport and the equipment.

“We have probably 15 sailors in T15 ready to progress next year, and this winter we’ve even started a Saturday morning session so they don’t have to take a break. Will wanted to sail all through the winter and it turns out he’s not the only one!

“As a family we have seen just how Will getting involved in windsurfing has had a positive impact on his own personal development but also the sport and the club have given so much to us too. Will has made some real progress over the past two years and it is fantastic that other youngsters will now get the same opportunities he’s been lucky enough to have with the board being used by the club.”

Want to know more about how OB sailors at your club can take advantage of the JMST and OB partnership? Here you go - John Merricks Sailing Trust