6 days ago
We are thrilled to announce that Robin Gray, World Sailing International Race Officer, has been nominated for Lifetime Service Recognition at the Ards & North Down Sports Awards! 🏅
Robin’s dedication to the sailing community spans an incredible five decades starting in 1961. Robins remarkable career has been defined by his passion for race management and his significant contributions to local sailing in Northern Ireland. As a World Sailing International Race Officer and dedication within his post as RYA Race Management Co-Ordinator for Northern Ireland, Robin has played a pivotal role in organising championship events, delivering essential race management training and empowering race officers along the way.
Here are just a few of Robin's many contributions:
⛵️ Essential role in RYA Race Management training and development
⛵️ Key part of the Volvo Ocean Race management team in 2017/18
⛵️ Mentorship of aspiring race officers, one of his mentees include Chris Lindsay who was an International Judge for the Paris 2024 Olympics
Robin's impact goes far beyond race management. His passion, drive, and leadership continue to inspire volunteers and aspiring race officials, new and seasoned alike. Through his mentorship, Robin has empowered the next generation of race officers and volunteers.
His nomination for Lifetime Service Recognition is a fitting tribute to his race officiating pathway dedicated to the advancement and promotion of the sport. Robin’s influence and contributions will continue to resonate for years to come.
Thank you for all of your hard work Robin a very well-deserved nomination 👏
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Sport NI
Northern Ireland Sports Forum
RYA Northern Ireland
RYA Race Officials
Royal Yachting Association ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations Robin 👏
Congratulations Robin- a fitting and well deserved award. ⛵️🎉🍷Best wishes Susan & Des NYC
Congratulations Robin, very well deserved!
Congratulations Robin. Well done. Terry and Rita
Congrats Robin! No better man and well deserved!
Congratulations Robin - you'll need another shelf for your well deserved methinks 👏👏👏👏
Congratulations Robin
Congratulations from all at Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Congratulations Robin, super recognition 👏👏👏🤩
Well deserved congratulations 😊
Congratulations Robin 👏👏👏
Well deserved Robin ….👍🏻👍🏻😁
Congratulations Robin !
👏👏👏 well deserved.
Nice one Robin.
Congrats, Robin!
Well done Robin! 👏👏👏👏
Brilliant Robin. So well deserved and great recognition 👏👏👏
No finer man for this nomination. An awesome hard working volunteer for Ballyholme Yacht Club and sailing in RYA Northern Ireland. Congratulations Robin 👏👏👏
Congratulations Robin Gray!!! 🥳🥳
Well deserved Robin , congratulations 🎉👏
Robin Gray Congratulations Robin
7 days ago
We're excited to announce that Leo West-Hurst, a remarkable young sailor, has been nominated for Sports Person of the Year U15 at the Ards & North Down Sports Awards! This nomination is a true reflection of Leo’s dedication, hard work, and incredible accomplishments on the water. Let's take a look at his 2024 highlights:
⚓ NI Sailing Team - Topper Squad 2024-2025
⚓ Topper Irish National Championships (Wexford, June 2024) 2nd place overall in the 4.2 fleet
⚓ Topper Worlds (July 2024) 4th place overall in the 4.2 fleet
⚓ RYANI Youth Championships (September 2024) 1st place overall in the 4.2 fleet
Leo’s consistent excellence at regional and national events showcases his passion for competitive sailing. Starting his journey in the Optimist class, Leo swiftly transitioned to the Topper 4.2 fleet in 2022. Looking ahead to 2025, Leo has big goals ahead which include;
🏅 Aiming to win the 4.2 Irish and British Nationals
🥈 Competing to secure a podium finish at the Topper Worlds
With his remarkable performance and dedication to racing, Leo is bound for more sailing success in the future!
Congratulations Leo! 👏
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Sport NI
Northern Ireland Sports Forum
RYA Northern Ireland
Topper Ireland ... See MoreSee Less
Congratulations! A lot of hard work there. 👏
Well deserved nomination , fingers crossed and good luck Leo , super proud of you x
Brilliant Leo!! Very well done 🙌
👏👏👏well done Leo
Brilliant, well done Leo 🌟
Absolutely fabulous!! Well done Leo and you must be a super proud mum Amy WH xxx
Fantastic news!. Well done Leo 👏
Congratulations Leo x
Congratulations 🎊 Leo . Fingers crossed🤞 . Proud Mama Amy WH !
Well done Leo ❤️
Absolutely brilliant Leo. Well done.
Aw brilliant Leo - a wee star ⛵️🏅🏅
Fantastic! Congratulations Leo! 👏👏👏
Wonderful to see how far Leo has come 👏🏅 And well done to Charlie and Amy WH for traipsing around Ireland and Europe to all the Topper events 👍
Absolutely fabulous and so well deserved. Super news Leo 👏🎉⛵️
Awesome Leo well done!
Amazing 👏👏 Justyna Roman
👏👏👏
Super Leo, very well done!!👏👏👏❤
Fantastic very well done Leo.
Awesome
7 days ago
Last chance to book the RYA First Aid course at BYC! RYA Northern Ireland The course is taking place this Saturday, February 15, 2025, and is open to members and non-members. Please click the link below for more details! ... See MoreSee Less

RYA First Aid Course – Saturday 15th February 2025 | Ballyholme Yacht Club
RYA First Aid Course Saturday 15th February 2025 COURSE TIMES 9.00AM – 5.00PM Jubilee Room BYC Members – £53 Non-Members – £84 This one-day course covers all the usual first aid subjects, but from a boating perspective. It is aimed at anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers,...1 week ago
We're thrilled to announce that Emily & Annabel Ridout, our dynamic sister duo, have been nominated for U18 Junior Team of the Year at the Ards & North Down Sports Awards! This nomination is a testament to their hard work, determination, and remarkable achievements on the water.
Let's look at their 2024 Highlights: 🏅
RS Feva Northerns at Royal North of Ireland YC (June 2024): 1st Overall Female Boat
Rooster RS Feva Nationals (June 2024): 3rd Place in the Female Category
RS Feva World Championships in Bruinisse (August 2024): Competing against 173 international sailors, Emily & Annabel clinched an impressive 6th Female Boat Overall, including a 3rd place finish in a Gold Fleet race.
Feva Irish Nationals at Ballyholme Yacht Club (August 2024): 1st Place
RYANI Youth Championships (September 2024): Overall Female Junior Champions
Looking ahead to 2025, Emily and Annabel have set their sights high! Their goals include:
Aiming for a Top 5 finish at the Feva UK Nationals
Targeting a podium position at the RS Feva World Championships in France
Transitioning into youth performance pathway classes, including the 29er and RS200
We couldn’t be more proud of these talented young sailors, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for them!
Congratulations girls! 👏
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Sport NI
Female Sports Forum
Northern Ireland Sports Forum
RYA Northern Ireland ... See MoreSee Less
Congratulations Emily and Annabel🎉
Congratulations Emily & Annabelle , you have worked hard to achieve this . 👏💕
2 weeks ago
Huge congratulations to all the sailors who took part in the Celtic Cup hosted by RYA Northern Ireland at KEOC! 🎉 A training weekend of collaborative workshops, and some fierce racing amongst the home countries RYA Scotland and RYA Cymru Wales. Great to also see Duncan from Sailingfast down there supporting the event too!
A special shoutout to our volunteer team from BYC, Mark Layers Simon Bailie and Jonathan Mitchell, Race Officer Aidan Pounder, Amy West-Hurst recorder/timekeeper, and Emma West-Hurst on sound signals 🙌
The racing was tight, but in the end, the NI Sailing Team claimed the overall title! 🏆 Well done to everyone involved!
Topper Team
Adam Green (LEYC), Zoe Westhurst (BYC), Ben McCaldin (LEYC), Alex Eadie (BYC), Polly Robinson (BYC), James Eadie (BYC), Leo Westhurst (BYC)
ILCA 6 Team
Daniel Palmer (BYC), Bobby Driscoll (BYC), Cormac Byrne (BYC), Autumn Haliday (BYC), Freddie Doig (EABC)
Results here - www.sailwave.com/results/Celtic%20Cup%202025.htm
📸 Check out some cracking shots from the racing on Sunday, courtesy of Wavelength Image!
Photographs here - www.wavelengthimage.com/Dinghy-Racing/MIxed-Fleet-Racing
#celticcup #RYAnorthernireland #nisailingteam ... See MoreSee Less
Super proud of all of you , well done . Thank you to our volunteers who took part as well 👏👏
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