An aspiring young Eastbourne windsurfer has had a huge boost in his ambitions to become a top class international sailor after being awarded his own board - donated by the John Merricks Sailing Trust, the official charity partner of RYA OnBoard – as part of a national scheme helping talented youngsters progress in the sport.

Sam Williams, who sails with the Spray Sprites Team15 windsurfing club at Buzz Active on Royal Parade, was chosen to win a new Bic Techno 2930D windsurfer after competing at the RYA South East Zone Championships at Queen Mary Sailing Club, Middlesex in September.

The talented 14-year-old has been a committed Spray Sprites windsurfer for four years, and during this time has shown year-on-year improvement in his results at regional and national level events, including finishing on the podium at each of the last three Team15 Champions Cup national finals, which for the last two years have also ‘doubled up’ as the RYA/UKWA National Windsurfing Championships. 

This has all contributed to Sam being selected for the East and South East RYA Zone Squad for 2015-16, which is the first rung on the ladder towards Olympic Classes sailing. He was also chosen by his Spray Sprites club mates as Team Captain for 2015.

Sam has not previously owned his own windsurfing board, rather he has had to borrow kit from Spray Sprites. But now he has two years’ exclusive use of his new board before it is then donated to Spray Sprites to benefit training programmes and enable other talented young windsurfers to progress into club, regional and national racing activities.

Sam said: “I love windsurfing, it’s the best feeling ever. It is exhilarating and one of the best bits is sharing the amazing experience with my friends. We have a laugh and it's an excellent sport. The ultimate feeling comes with the adrenalin rush you get at the start of a race, especially on the start line with 30 seconds to go and then you are off. Planing gives me the best feeling ever, skimming across the water as if you are lighter than air!

"Having my own board means I can practice my skills whenever the weather conditions are good as I can sail outside of club times with my Dad to practice. I'm sure more time on the water will help me to improve even further. In two years' time I would love to have been successful at regional and national level in different windsurfing class fleets but also to have competed at European and World competitions."

OnBoard is the nationwide grassroots programme run by sailing’s national governing body to introduce sailing and windsurfing to young people aged 8 to 18 and giving them opportunities to sail regularly at low cost. JMST, set up in the memory of 1996 Olympic silver medallist sailor John Merricks, helps young sailors and youth sailing organisations achieve their goals.

This is the third year of the JMST / OnBoard partnership and, over five years, JMST will donate more than 50 one-person junior RYA racing pathway boats and windsurfing boards to youngsters through RYA OnBoard, providing young sailors who may not have ordinarily had the opportunity to progress their skills with the highest quality equipment.

Sam’s dad, Julian, himself a windsurfer, continued: “Each year Sam has pushed himself to the next level. He hasn’t missed a regional Team15 event in three years, always attends team training on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings and regularly goes to the club to try to get in extra training. He encourages new members to the team and is always seen helping others with carrying their kit, or with rigging or general sailing advice.

“His recent successes have inspired both of us to the point we will try to find a way to help him go to the Bic Techno World Championships in 2016. Buzz Active is an excellent club with really inspiring coaches, who are always willing to help all their windsurfers with reaching their full potential." 

Craig Coupe, Deputy Manager of Buzz Active and RYA Team 15 Regional Coordinator, said: “Sam always wants to learn more and myself along with other Zone coaches have given Sam all the tools needed to move forward with his sailing. It’s now just having the right kit in good condition and getting on the water. I’m sure Sam will continue to be a great ambassador to the sport of windsurfing and an inspiration to other young people." 

In total 11 youngsters were selected to receive a boat or board from hundreds of applicants after competing in the RYA Zone and Home Country Championships, which took place at eight venues across the UK. 

RYA OnBoard Operations Officer, Cat Ferguson, explains: “Each selected sailor has shown lots of enthusiasm, talent and commitment to the sport. This year we awarded five Topper dinghies and six Bic Techno windsurf boards, and we believe these will provide these young sailors with the opportunity to continue sailing, progress their skills and hopefully go on to achieve their goals.”

Ian Walker, John’s former sailing partner, JMST Trustee, double Olympic silver medallist and Volvo Ocean Race winner, added: "John himself benefitted from a similar boat loan scheme at a young age and went on to be one of the Britain’s best sailors. We have already seen some excellent performances from young sailors helped by this scheme and would like to thank the RYA for all the hard work that lies behind it.”

RYA OnBoard has an impressive track record – since its launch in 2005 over half a million kids have been introduced to sailing and windsurfing, with around 10% taking up the sport on a regular basis. There are almost 250 RYA OnBoard clubs and centres nationwide, with several more having joined the programme in 2015. 

Find out more about RYA OnBoard at www.rya.org.uk/go/onboard or for more information about the JMST visit www.jmst.org.uk