New Junior classes

RYA announce two addition to their Junior program

Today the RYA announced the addition of two new classes to the RYA Junior Programme. The RS Feva becomes a recognised junior class and the Laser 4.7 has attained RYA junior pathway status.

In addition to the existing junior classes, it was felt that the addition of these two new classes would provide a good foundation for the RYA recognised youth classes as well as offering national and international competition.

The RS Feva has been recognised due to the boats popularity and the need to engage sailors through a modern dinghy. The class runs a comprehensive training programme and is highly attractive to young children.

For sailors looking to move up into the single-handed Olympic Laser class, the introduction of the Laser 4.7 into the junior programme will allow them to get to grips with the one design class at a younger age and help them to develop the technical knowledge and skills required. The class will provide a natural progression from the Laser 4.7 into the Laser Radial and then onto the Laser Standard.

The RS Feva class currently organise open class training, recognition means that the class will be able to access subsidies to help facilitate this training as well as giving the RYA the opportunity to engage with this class.

Awarding the Laser 4.7 junior pathway status means the RYA, in conjunction with the UKLA, can commence discussions with the ultimate aim of setting up an RYA national junior squad within the class.

The next steps within this process will be the formation of a UKLA/RYA Steering Team to manage the programme, the appointment of a national coach, the introduction of international competition grants for the world championships in America this summer, and a national junior squad training programme, which it is hoped will commence in May.