Sailing In Mid Wales Given Boost As Brenin Get Back OnBoard

Children in Mid Wales will again be able to give sailing a go, with Brenin Adventures succeeding in becoming an RYA OnBoard Centre.

Not-For-Profit operation Brenin Adventures was started at the beginning of 2018 by the management team which had run the Staylittle Outdoor Centre, which was owned and then closed by Powys County Council.

“We started Brenin Adventures, to ensure that outdoor education within our area was not lost. We have a quality residential programme based out of a Victorian Manor House ‘Broneirion,’ explained managing director Matt Jones.

Run by sailing’s National Governing Body, the RYA, OnBoard is a hugely successful grass roots programme which seeks to make sailing and windsurfing easier to access for 8-18 year olds.

Launched in 2005 the programme has helped introduce over 800,000 young people across the country to sailing and windsurfing.

RYA Cymru Wales chief executive and All Afloat trustee Phil Braden said, “Having Brenin Adventures as an RYA OnBoard Centre fills a gap in boating provision in Mid Wales.

“Our charity All Afloat Wales relies on OnBoard centres to deliver sailing to disadvantaged groups in Wales and so we are always encouraged by new centres opening.”

Brenin Adventures are based in Llandinam, near Newtown in Mid Wales, running the sailing activities with the help and support of nearby Clywedog sailing club

“The RYA training centre status and Onboard programmes mean a great deal to us,” added Jones.

“As a part of Staylittle Outdoor Centre we ran a very successful Onboard programme with many of our young sailors continuing on to sail at national Level.

“This is something we were always very proud of and we’re excited for future opportunities to bring up new sailors in our area.

“Sailing is one of those fantastic sports where regardless of background or physical ability everybody can get out onto the water and enjoy a great past time.

Hannah Cockle, OnBoard Operations Officer, said, “It’s great to welcome Brenin Adventures to the OnBoard programme.

“Getting out on the water has a huge amount of benefits, no matter what your age, background or ability. We look forward to working with them and the local community to get as many people as possible enjoying our great sport.”