Since its inception, the Trust has helped many people and, to give a flavour of its activities, the following are just some of the causes which have been supported in the past and/or are assisted on an ongoing basis:
The Eric Twiname Championship: This premier national event for Juniors (16-year-olds; pre Youth) is entirely financed by the Trust - there are no entry fees. It is one of the largest sailing events in the calendar for regional teams in Optimists, Cadets, Toppers, Mirror dinghies, and Bic Techno Windsurfers.
The 2009 event was held at Rutland Sailing Club on 9/10th May For further information see www.ryaracingevents.org.uk
The 2010 event will be held at Rutland Sailing Club on the 8th/9th May.
The RYA Eric Twiname Youth & Junior Team Racing Championship: This highly successful team racing event, which attracts young sailors from a broad spectrum of the sailing community, is financed by the Trust. Large numbers of clubs and schools enter teams, and all the Youth and Junior classes are represented.
The 2009 event was held at Farmoor Sailing Club on 17/18th October. For further information see www.ryaracingevents.org.uk
The 2010 event will be held at Farmoor Sailing Club on the 16th/17th October.
Optimist bursaries: Financial help is given to impecunious youngsters to attend the well-known Easter and Summer courses at Papercourt Sailing Club. Up to 90% of the fees may be granted in deserving cases.
Support boats: All of the youth classes have received brand new RIBs, outboards and trailers as support boats; these are replaced on a rolling programme.
Fevas: Two fleets of Fevas have been purchased by the Trust – one located at Spinnaker Club in Ringwood, Hampshire and one at the RYA’s Team Racing Academy at West Kirby Yacht Club. These are loaned (in return for a small fee which goes towards the costs of their upkeep) to clubs/schools for team racing and other activities.
Team racing book: Team racing is really back in favour and is the mainstay of school and university sailing. There were no books on the subject since the original Twiname publication, but in 2002 the Trust sponsored a new book by Steve Tylecote.
Provision of boats: Grants have been given for the purchase of around 45 boats (mostly by clubs), including Toppers, 420s, Optimists and Fireflies.