RYA Musto Regional Youth Award for Wales recognises inspirational young sailor Huw
by Hamish Stuart 8 Mar 2020 01:56 NZDT
L-R: Emma Jackson, Musto Brand Marketing Manager, Eilidh McIntyre, Huw Farmer and Hannah Mills © RYA Cymru-Wales
Mid Wales sailor Huw Farmer has gone from being the recipient of a boat through a charity scheme, to Welsh Number One and now a UK award winner.
The 15-year-old's success on the water and massive contribution off it at his club Llangorse, mean he was presented the RYA Musto Regional Youth Award for Wales at the RYA Dinghy Show at the Alexandra Palace, London, by Welsh Olympic gold medallist Hannah Mills.
The awards celebrate the achievements of young people in the sport whether it's on the racecourse, volunteering, instructing, coaching or overcoming adversity. They were presented by RYA Chair, Chris Preston, Mills and her world championship-winning crew Eilidh McIntyre.
"Congratulations to all the winners. It was a real honour to meet them all today. These young people are doing so much for their communities and the people in their club and they are a true inspiration to us all," said McIntyre.
RYA Cymru Wales chief executive Gerwyn Owen added, "These awards have been opened up to include wider contributions to sailing as well as personal performance, but Huw ticks both boxes.
"It is an inspirational story that just over five years ago he was presented with a boat by the John Merricks Sailing Trust to give him the opportunity to make the most of his love of sailing.
"That is an opportunity he has grasped with both hands. Whatever he was given then, he has more than given back as a Wales squad sailor who has put in performances which are the best in Britain, to regularly helping out on club training nights.
"It shows how schemes such as JMST can have a long term impact."
Farmer has gone from capsizing 15 times in one day in the Regatta Fleet at the Nationals in Weymouth, to sailing in Team GB at Lake Garda Fraglia Riva (1000 entrants) and finishing as the top British sailor at the event.
He was Welsh Youth Champion in the Optimist class at Plas Heli last year. He has also raced in Firefly, Optimist Team Racing, Flying Fifteen, Laser 4.7 and Supernova and has started windsurfing.
While he has clearly been very busy with his own sailing, has always been willing to help at his club and has become a valuable member of the training team.
"He is an unassuming character and quietly gives back to the sport he loves," said Lorina Walden, Llangorse training principal to junior members.
"He has experienced excellent training, has achieved success and he has a lot to offer other young sailors.
"He has regularly supported youth training at Llangorse at all levels of the Junior Pathway, from sitting in an Optimist confidence building with a very nervous new sailor to helping with setting up the boats and assisting instructors teaching and coaching our more experienced sailors.
"In 2019 he assisted on all junior training courses - including our five day cadet week. Also he qualified as a Powerboat Level 2 driver and has already logged many hours (most times with his Dad beside him) helping at events and club sailing."
Emma Jackson, Musto Brand Marketing Manager said: "Musto have come on board as a partner of the RYA Musto Regional Youth Awards and it's been fantastic meeting all the inspirational winners today and celebrating their incredible work.
"We are pleased to champion sailing from grassroots all the way through to upper echelons of the sport through our partnerships with the British Youth Sailing and the British Sailing Team. These awards provide the perfect opportunity."
Find more information about the RYA Musto Regional Youth Awards here.
For further details about Welsh sailing and watersports, please go to rya.org.uk/rya-regions/rya-cymru-wales