Archive News
Sailing Opportunity for Three Local Youngsters
As part of our support for this year's ASTO Small Ships' Race from Greenock to Belfast, Riverside Inverclyde is offering what will be an unforgettable sailing experience to three local youngsters.
There are three spaces for volunteers between the ages of 16 and 24 up for grabs among the crew of the 23m ketch “Alba Venture”, which, with a crew of 18, will be one of the fourteen-strong fleet of boats taking part in the Small Ships Races between the 8th and 11th of August, starting with some sailing on the Clyde before racing from Greenock to Belfast.
ASTO, the Association of Sail Training Organisations has been running these Small Ships Races since 2002, in vessels that, although described as “small”, are in fact up to 35 metres long, with crews of up to twenty.
The selected local volunteers will play a full part in the event programme, after having received training from the experienced crew members beforehand. When they reach Belfast, the lucky winners will also have the opportunity to mingle with the crew members involved in this year's Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, which will be in port when the ASTO racers arrive. The biggest sailing event of this type, the full Tall Ships Race, will return to Greenock in July 2011, when up to 100 majestic sailing craft will come to the area.
The Tall Ships were last in Greenock in 1999, when they attracted some 800,000 visitors, generating an £8m benefit to the local economy and extensive positive international media coverage.
Helen Drummond is the project co-ordinator for Riverside Inverclyde's involvement in both this year's Small Ships event and the 2011 Tall Ships Race and, speaking about the chance being offered to three local youngsters, she says, “this will be a truly memorable experience for them. Of course, all safety and insurance arrangements will be taken care of, as will all associated costs, so, apart from anything else, this is a completely free opportunity. Our partners in this are Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, and they are fully experienced in helping young people develop sailing skills quickly and safely. Our lucky crew members will play key roles in sailing and racing their ship, but I'm sure they will really enjoy themselves too”.
Anyone interested in being considered as one of the three crew members should contact Helen at Riverside Inverclyde. 2-6 Custom House Way, Greenock PA15 1EN, or on 01475 883104, or Helen.drummond@riversideinverclyde.com
