Building its momentum to engage 10,000 young people by 2025, SailGP Inspire continues its mission to increase diversity and accessibility within the sport of sailing. SailGP will be activating its three program pathways at the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth July 17-18 with a focus on Learning, Careers and Racing.
In partnership with Plymouth City Council, with support from Associated British Ports, English Cities Fund and Sutton Harbour group, Plymouth – Britain’s Ocean City and home to a deeply rich maritime history – will play host to the world’s most spectacular sail racing as fans witness high-intensity foiling F50 catamarans take flight. In addition to having two action-filled race days, SailGP’s Inspire program aims to give area residents and its youth an exciting agenda to use the power of sport for good while developing sailing as a sustainable sport.
SailGP Youth Program Manager Tom Herbert Evans said: “Each event throughout the season presents an opportunity for SailGP to have more young people join our vision to Race for the Future - one that is inclusive and affords equal access to the sport we are so passionate about. By sharing our platform, we are better poised to ensure our league’s efforts to make a positive social and environmental impact are met.”
Partnering with Plymouth City Council, Inspire Learning’s educational opportunities for diverse groups of young people will be conducted through guided technical base tours, while the on-water sailing experiences will be supported by the Mount Batten Watersports & Activities Centre, Plymouth Youth Sailing, and Horizons Plymouth. This enriching exposure to the maritime industry will take place July 12-14, showcasing behind-the-scenes operations and creating an unforgettable knowledge-building experience.
On July 15 and 16, young innovators will be able to participate in a two-day Powered by Nature themed event filled with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) challenges. Bringing the Inspire-related activities to life is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Plymouth City Council and Great Britain SailGP Team’s Race for the Future purpose partner - Stem Crew.
Cabinet Member for Education, Skills, Children and Young People Cllr Dave Downie said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming SailGP to the city this July and are delighted to be partnering on the Inspire program to give young people in Plymouth opportunities to get involved in this global event and to get on the water and sail. Combining STEM education with the behind the scenes access and on-water activities will give incredible and unforgettable experiences for young people in our city.”
The Inspire Careers program is proudly partnering with world-leading and award-winning marine sustainability research institution, the University of Plymouth. A select number of students making up fifty percent of the careers placements will derive from different subject disciplines. These individuals will be provided the opportunity to gain experience in a series of key SailGP micro-internships: boatbuilding, rigging, hydraulics, wing assembly, hospitality, sustainability, data analytics and on-water operations. Young people across Plymouth and southwestern England will be able to apply for the remaining half of the internship opportunities directly through Inspire using an online application process, closing June 17, 2021.
University of Plymouth Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive Judith Petts CBE said: “The University of Plymouth is delighted to be an official partner of the SailGP Inspire program and to play a part in bringing this exciting international event to Britain’s Ocean City. Our waterside location brings many benefits to our student experience, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to get hands-on career experience in an event of a global scale that the world’s eyes will be on. We are especially proud to also be working with our alumnus, celebrated professional yachtsman, Conrad Humphreys, who is leading the UK event on-water operations.”
Sharing the water with SailGP’s supercharged, identical F50s, the Inspire Racing program’s partnership with WASZP will give aspiring young foiling sailors a once in a lifetime chance to showcase their skills in front of cheering crowds from July 14-18. Inspire Racing’s partner RS Sailing will see an additional group of 16 local youth sailors hone in on their sailing abilities onboard RS Fevas - paired with one male and one female per boat - between July 16-18.
As the future of the sport, RS Feva participants will be identified using the guidance of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the UK RS Feva Class Association. The RYA will also play a critical role in the development of local foiling instructors with additional support provided by Horizons Plymouth.
Additional SailGP Inspire partners include Rooster, MarkSetBot, World Sailing Trust, ePropulsion, Marlow Ropes and Doyle Sails, who provide valuable materials and resources crucial to the success of the Learning, Careers, and Racing programs that take place in and around each of the events around the globe.
The Great Britain Sail Grand Prix takes place in Plymouth July 17-18. For details visit SailGP.com/GreatBritain.