The Classic Young Sailors Foundation exists to provide sailing experiences, financial support and encouragement for young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity or funds needed to go to sea in classic and traditional boats. The Foundation helps make these opportunities available to all young people and particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are keen to encourage young people from all backgrounds to sail in our boats and take part in seagoing voyages and regattas. The personal development benefits of going to sea under sail are well known, and we believe sailing in classic boats provides a particularly good experience.

The Foundation also aims to introduce the special appeal of sailing in classic and traditional boats to young people so that an understanding and appreciation of their traditional qualities and heritage is kindled and carried forward to the next generation.

The Foundation’s support is initially in the form of bursaries to subsidise the cost of individuals sailing in accredited sail-training yachts. These may be granted either directly to the individual or to a sail-training organisation where the organisation is bringing a yacht fully crewed by young trainees to a regatta. In the future it is hoped the Foundation will be able to place young people directly on private yachts competing in events, and possibly run its own sail-training yacht in regattas by chartering or the loan of a suitable vessel. The Classic Young Sailors Foundation is funded by donations and by the modest surplus the organisers of the Classic Channel Regatta aim to make (to avoid making a loss) on each regatta – which is run on a not-for-profit basis.

The Foundation’s Project for 2024

The Foundation is exploring a number of ways to offer opportunities to deserving young people take part in the next Classic Channel Regatta in 2024. More information will be posted here as plans develop.

What Next?

I’d like to be onboard as crew
I’d like to help make the project possible

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The Foundation’s Mission statement is:

“To provide opportunities for young people, primarily aged 16-25, and in particular those who would not otherwise have the opportunity, to benefit from the seagoing experience of sailing in classic and traditional yachts. Also to encourage and develop in the next generation a love of sailing and an appreciation of the special qualities and heritage of classic and traditional yachts.”

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