Young sailors and windsurfers across the country are invited to sign up to the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) new e-newsletter for youngsters.
 
Going live this month, OnBoarders aims to connect directly with children and teenagers who have learnt to sail with the RYA OnBoard (OB) scheme.

The quarterly newsletter promises to be jam-packed with exciting stories, GB sailors, hints and top tips for improving sailing skills, RYA membership offers and more.
 
Cat Ferguson, RYA OnBoard operations officer, said: ‘We are really excited to be launching OnBoarders.

‘Since it was created in 2005, the programme has introduced over 415,000 youngsters to the sport and that number is continuing to grow.

‘Following the London 2012 Games we feel there has never been a better time to inspire and communicate with our OB sailors and to encourage them to continue with their sailing.’

As well as receiving the OnBoarders newsletter, youngsters who sign up will be automatically be entered into a free lucky dip draw giving them a chance of becoming an official OnBoard Gill product tester.

‘OnBoard Clothing Partner Gill will provide the lucky winner with select products to be used and tested out on the water during OnBoard sailing sessions.

The’ tester’ will be also given the opportunity to write their very own product reviews for publication in OnBoarders.’
 
As an added bonus, the OB club which signs up the most youngsters to receive the newsletter will received a free OnBoard branded buoyancy aid.
 
If you are an OnBoard sailor and would like sign up for OnBoarders visit http://eepurl.com/z0Gj9. The first issue will be sent out later this month.

OnBoard history

Run by the RYA, OnBoard is a grass roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged 8 to 18, through schools, youth groups and training centres.
 
Over a 10-year period OnBoard aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants. So far it’s nicely on track.
 
For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA’s website or the OnBoard website.