The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF) has announced that it will be opening an Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre on the south coast of England next month.

It will be based at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) in Dorset, which staged the sailing events of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Foundation was set up in memory of Olympic sailor Andrew Simpson to inspire the next generation through sailing.

Olympian Iain Percy, trustee of the ASSF, said: ‘Andrew was very passionate about encouraging people to make the best of the opportunities that they were given.

‘Through the Foundation’s activities we intend to provide opportunities to thousands of young people, and those who grasp it with both hands and show dedication, will be given significant support to reach their potential in the sport of sailing and the wider maritime industry through apprenticeships.’

Based in Andrew’s home county and at the London 2012 Olympic sailing venue, the world class centre will open its doors in May 2014 and act as a hub for all ASSF’s activities; helping the Foundation to fulfil its charitable objectives.

Sailing legend and ASSF trustee Sir Ben Ainslie said: ‘Reflecting the Foundation’s objective to inspire the next generation through sailing, the centre will be a place where we can inspire Andrew’s drive and determination through delivering everything from taster courses to longer term development and mentoring.

‘It will offer schemes to provide opportunities for deserving young people, something that Andrew himself was always so passionate about.’

The RYA accredited centre will deliver a range of sailing courses for young people, community organisations and adults; including programmes for schools, as well as club sailors. It will also work closely with the Chesil Trust and the WPNSA to deliver the ‘Rod Shipley Sail for a Fiver’ scheme.

Now in its 10th year, the scheme has enabled more than 12,000 Dorset children between the ages of 10 and 11 to experience sailing on the Olympic waters and is currently introducing 1,500 children a year to the sport.

Peter Allam, chief executive of WPNSA, said: ‘We are exceptionally pleased to be working with ASSF. By inspiring people of all ages to take up sailing, and providing a mechanism through the sailing school to do so, the Foundation will make a significant contribution to the ongoing development of the Olympic & Paralympic sailing legacy here at the WPNSA.’

Amanda Simpson, Andrew’s sister and a trustee of the ASSF said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for ASSF to engage with grass roots sailing in a place where Andrew spent much of his youth and adult sailing life.

‘We look forward to working with local and national communities to make this venture a huge success.’

To book a course or to find out more about the centre’s activities please contact:

Warren Surtees
Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre,
Osprey Quay, Portland DT5 1SA, United Kingdom
+44 (0)753 201 6281
Warren@andrewsimpsonsailing.org

You can also visit andrewsimpsonsailing.org/weymouth to register your interest.