Chichester Harbour Federation: Autumn News Update
Published 11:11 on 31 Oct 2024
With boats coming off their moorings and being laid up at the end of another season, there is still much going on in the harbour and beyond. We've received some news items from Chichester Harbour Federation.
- The Solent Forum is seeking a new chair from March 2025
The Solent Forum is looking to recruit a new chair from March 2025 for a three-year term.
Established in 1992 to develop a greater understanding among the many local and harbour authorities, user groups, marine businesses and agencies, the Forum is involved in planning and the management of the Solent. Read more here.
Topics considered by the Forum are diverse but are centered around activities in the Solent area. These include water quality, sailing, and boating, recreational disturbance, nature recovery and the RYA's Green Blue initiative.
There is also a range of focus groups which convene over specific current issues, reporting back to the main committee. The Forum is also hosted and staffed by Hampshire County Council.
The most important attribute of any future chair is enthusiasm and a passion for the Solent area and its waters. If this sounds interesting to you, find out more at:
https://www.solentforum.org/about/staff/
- How are Chichester Harbour Sailing Clubs' memberships faring?
Every year the RYA collates data from across the UK in an annual club membership census.
The results from RYA South (for our 11 clubs here in Chichester Harbour) show a positive picture. Our clubs have a strong diverse mix between female and male membership with an average across the harbour of 44- 56% female/male split, compared to only an average of 36% female membership across the rest of England. Read more here.
Similarly, we have a healthy balance between junior and adult memberships with our clubs having an average of 22.5% youth members and 77.5% adults, which compares again favourably compared to the national average of just 15% youth members.
We cannot be complacent, however, as membership of harbour clubs has fallen from 14,400 in 2022 to 13,800 in 2023. The Federation is committed to promoting boating here in the harbour and with our various initiatives, we aim to expand the use of our wonderful amenity.
- RYA appoints new Pathway Club Manager and Talent Academies Manager
Two new faces have joined the racing team at the RYA as part of the organisation's commitment to improve youth and junior racing here in the UK. Read more here
Hannah Wilcox has recently come on board as the new Pathway Club Manager, while Huw Griffiths is taking on the role of Talent Academies Manager.
Both programmes are key parts of a new sailing 'pathway' which RYA heralded this summer, following a strategic review. The changes reinforce the need to make youth and junior racing more affordable, accessible, and engaging, aiming to improve the performances of aspiring young British talents.
To read more follow this link.
Simon Radford