Supporting Sailing Opportunities for Southport Schoolchildren

Blog submitted by Richard Westlake, West Lancashire Yacht Club

At West Lancashire Yacht Club, we believe sailing should be for everyone — regardless of background or income. That’s why, over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to grow our Outreach Programme, making sailing more accessible to young people in our local community.

In 2024, we were honoured to receive the RYA Sunsail “Funding the Future” Award — national recognition for our grassroots outreach work. It’s a programme built in partnership with local primary schools, including Norwood and Larkfield, right here in Southport.

Through this initiative, we’ve introduced nearly 200 Year 5 pupils to the water — many of whom had never even considered sailing before. With the help of our fantastic volunteers and the enthusiastic support of the schools, every child has been able to take part, regardless of experience or financial circumstance. Teachers have joined in too, showing how sailing can connect people of all ages and abilities.

But this is about more than just one day on the marine lake in the heart of the children's hometown. For us, it’s about building confidence, sparking ambition, and creating real opportunities for young people to progress — whether that’s continuing at club level or one day racing competitively. As a newly recognised British Sailing Pathway Club, we’re committed to helping those journeys continue.

We’re also proud to work closely with Southport schools and with West Lancashire Yacht Club members who give their time, expertise, and passion to support these young sailors. It’s a real community effort — and we’re only just getting started.

This year, we’re excited to be running a raffle alongside our famous 24 Hour Race, helping raise vital funds to support and expand the Outreach Programme, with great prizes from several sponsors. Thanks to the generous support from Rooster, prizes include high-performance kit from their SB1 and Shoreline ranges.

With Rooster’s backing, we’re not just celebrating endurance on the water — we’re investing in a future where more young people can experience the thrill of sailing, no matter their starting point.

Because for us, real endurance isn’t just about sailing non-stop for 24 hours — it’s about building a sport, a club, and a community that lasts a lifetime.

To find out more and follow what West Lancashire Yacht Club are doing, head to their Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok or Website.