Wokingham

A group of five Bearwood, Wokingham pupils will compete in the “Small Ships Race” a youth event organised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).

The pupils’ boat, Sunfast 37, will compete in a course circumnavigating the Isle of Wight. The Bearwood, Wokingham crew start their training early in September under the watchful eye of Ed Cherry, Bearwood’s RYA instructor and Ray Kay, Yacht Master Instructor, and embark from Portsmouth for the race itself on 6th October. Fifteen to twenty yachts will be participating in the race, with crews aged fifteen to twenty five years old.

Crew member Mark said: “This is such an incredible opportunity for us and we will learn so much from competing at this level.”

Mr Stephen Aiano, Headmaster at Bearwood College, Wokingham adds: “Not only will the pupils develop their sailing skills, but such an experience will enhance their confidence and self-esteem. The teamwork and sense of responsibility that comes with competing in such a high profile event will develop skills that can be transferred across all areas of their lives in the future.”

The school is very grateful to the Old Royals Association, Bearwood’s Alumni, for their support for the Bearwood pupils participating in the ASTO Small Ships Race.

With a 50 acre lake on campus, all Bearwood pupils can learn to sail and kayak, and sail-training in the Solent is popular. Bearwood College, Wokingham is a registered RYA centre offers day and coastal skipper courses to pupils and to the general public.

Participating pupils are: James Etherington, Mark Ince, Martin Pulman, Christopher Saunders and Philip Tattersall

We wish them fair winds!

Bearwood College, Wokingham