ENTRIES are now open for the British Youth Sailing’s Regional Junior Championships, an eight-venue festival of youth racing, with the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy named as a host venue.

Children aged six to 16 from the RYA’s five regions and three home countries will head to eight venues over two weekends in September.

RYA Scotland, RYA Northern Ireland and RYA Cymru Wales will kick off the festival of youth sailing on September 21 and 22 before passing the baton to the English regions the following weekend.

The Regional Junior Championships offers sailing for all levels with a championship fleet for experienced racers, a coached regatta fleet for those developing their racing skills and a Fun OnBoard fleet for newcomers.

Last year’s edition welcomed over 1,500 youth and junior sailors, and it’s expected that number will increase as the popularity of the event continues to grow.

Along with prizes for event winners there will also be a range of prizes for sailors exhibiting the British Youth Sailing Values and Behaviours and showing a passion for the sport.

Members of the British Sailing Team will also be on hand at a number of venues to talk to competitors and give them coaching tips.

“Last year the Regional Junior Championships really showed the strength of youth and junior sailing in this country,” said Mark Nicholls, the RYA’s Youth Racing Manager.

“We had a record number of entries across all the fleets and the blend of fun sailing with competitive racing worked very well.

“This is an event that showcases the love of our sport from a young age and seeing young people enjoy themselves on the water is a real bonus for us as organisers.

“I can’t wait to see hotly contested youth racing, but more importantly the smiles from all the sailors just starting out. I know it’s going to be another great sailing event.”

Regattas will be held at the following locations:

Home Countries (September 21 and 22):

Scottish Regional Junior Championships - Dalgety Bay

Welsh Regional Junior Championships – Mumbles

Northern Ireland Regional Junior Championships - Strangford Lough YC

RYA Regions (September 28 and 29):

South & South West – WPNSA

East – Burnham

London & South East – Datchet Water

North - Derwent Reservoir SC

Midlands - Draycote SC