Seaview Sailing Trust
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Give back to Seaview and beyond through the Seaview Sailing Trust (UK charity number
1198176)
As members of Sea View Yacht Club, we are so lucky to be able to enjoy everything the sea has to offer. But within a few miles of Seaview are hundreds of children who never get to sail. Some have never been in a boat, or even the sea.
The Seaview Sailing Trust gets children from the islands primary schools into dinghies, so they can learn how to sail, developing their skills and self-confidence. At the end of their course of 10 proper sailing lessons, they go home with an RYA Dinghy certificate in their hands - often Level 2!
The children learn so much more than how to sail; some have learning and physical disabilities, and many are nervous about getting in a boat for the first time. Our Sailing Director, Jon Curtis, has seen children who have been left behind in the traditional classroom thrill their fellow pupils by being the quickest to learn, and fastest on the water! They return to their classrooms with a new confidence and respect.
But to make all this possible, the Seaview Sailing Trust relies on generous donations. Each lesson costs £32 per child, and a whole summer term costs £320. We are asking members and visitors of Seaview Yacht Club to give back to Seaview and the local area by donating as much as they are able. If every member sponsored at least one child a year, we would be able to give hundreds of local children the chance to learn to sail.
All island children should have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful benefits of sailing. The Isle of Wight has some of the most deprived communities in the country, with families struggling to give their children opportunities that we often take for granted.
Donate today and help change the lives of children from Seaview and beyond.
Success Stories
"One young lad was really struggling at school. His visual and hearing impairment meant he was bottom of the class. He quickly took to sailing, and was way ahead of his classmates. We set up the little racing course with fluorescent buoys that he could see, and he won every race! He returned to school, now the kid who was great at sailing and his schoolwork has improved dramatically"
- Jon Curtis, SVYC Sailing Director
History
The Seaview Sailing Trust is a charity formed out of the sailing programme started by the club in 2017, led by the then Commodore, Michael Smith. Since the outset, the programme has been supported by overwhelmingly generous members, along with external funding from Sir Ben Ainslies 1851 Foundation.
The aim was to provide training sessions free of charge to local primary schools during the school week. The initial programme provided 15 places for 10 weeks during the summer term to Year 5 students from Nettlestone Primary school. This proved so successful that requests soon followed from other schools.
Today, the programme delivers a terms sailing lessons (10 morning or afternoon sessions) to over 200 Year 5 children, aged 9-10. We want to continue this momentum, and broaden the scheme to as many island children as we can.
Trustees
The charity is managed by a team of trustees of three different types:
- SYVC ex officio trustees: the Commodore, Rear Commodore (Finance) and Sailing Director
- SVYC members: Andrea Minton Beddoes (Chair), Ned Kershaw (Vice Chair) and Christopher Garnett
- Members of the local community: Lucy Richardson (Nettlestone and Seaview Primary School) and Reg Barry (former local councillor)
For more information about the Trust, please contact the Chair, Andrea Minton Beddoes at sst@svyc.org.uk
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