Campaign News

july 2011:

Active Nation announce their presence at Southampton's prestigious PSP Boat Show

Planning is underway for Active Nations presence at Southampton's 2011 Boat Show. The large stand will boast a come and try pool, a climbing wall and more! Get your tickets to come and see us here:

June 2011:

 HRH Princess Royal launched Active Rupert, SWAC's new Paralympic class keel boat

Southampton Water Activities Centre was thilled to have HRH Princess Royal unveil the new sonar which could train the Paralympic champions of the future! Supporters of the charity including record-breaking disabled sailor Geoff Holt, the Mayor and Mayoress of Southampton and RYA Sailabiliy representatives, watched as the princess performed a tradional naming ceremony. It was a day of celebrating SWAC's wonderful achievements over the last 25 years, to look forward to the next 25! The boat has been named in memory of Rupert Spurling, who was the creator behind the design of the Active Nation brand, and passed away suddenly last year.

The launch of Active Rupert is just one of the events SWAC is hosting this week to awknowledge it's 25th Anniversary. Other activities inculde an inter-centre sailing competition for Active Nation staff and a fancy dress sailing session with our Paddleability supporters.

HRH Princess Royal to launch Active Nation's new Sonar in Southampton

Active Nation are delighted to announce that HRH The Princess Royal, president of the Royal Yachting Association and Patron of RYA Sailability, will be visiting Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) on Monday 20th June 2011 to officially name a new Paralympic sailing class Sonar Keelboat.

The purchase of the boat to support the RYA Sailability scheme run at the centre has been made possible through funding from Aiming High and the charity Active Nation, and will offer people with disabilities the opportunity to discover the joy of sailing.

Since RYA Sailability at SWAC was launched in June 2009, the scheme has grown from strength to strength, each year welcoming new supporters with a wide range of needs. Twenty five supporters are currently attending the programme and all of them are progressing through the sport of sailing, developing new skills and experiencing huge pleasure through being active.

David Drew, Active Nation Outdoor Facilities Manager, commented: “we have been extremely fortunate and successful with funding which has enabled us to purchase new and specific equipment for the supporters, including access dinghies, a sonar keel boat, a crew lift hoist, a pontoon extension and funding which has highly subsidised the programme itself”.

Sailability continues to grow at SWAC and sessions for 2011 are already up and running and introducing new young people and adults with disabilities to the sport of sailing.  Strong partnerships have been developed through the Sailability programme with Mencap, Hampshire Autistic Society, Hamble Valley Rotary Club, Aiming High and Flagstaff Trust.

The event will also mark the start of a week of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the venue. The week will feature a wide range of events and activities including sailing club races, schools’ water treasure hunts and Sailability sessions.

may 2011:

DP World Southampton sponsor SWAC's first RS Feva Dinghy

DP World Southampton, the second largest container terminal in the UK, has generaously sponsored the first Active nation boat that will be used by the whole community at Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC).

This boat, out of a fleet of six, will give local young people the opportunity to learn how to sail and progress in the sport through the centre’s Wind Warrior RYA Onboard Club.

David Drew, Active Nation Outdoor Facilities Manager, commented: “DP World Southampton’s generosity will allow us to work with over 100 new sailors this year who will all work towards and gain RYA sailing qualifications. This kind of sponsorship will enable us to acquire new boats that will be used as a community fleet to support sailing clubs with local races, open days and competitions”.
SWAC, the largest sailing centre in Southampton, is continually developing its sailing and power boating programmes to give more young people, of all levels and abilities, the opportunity to learn how to sail.

 

By working with sponsorship partners such as DP World Southampton, Active Nation would like to purchase a fleet of RS Feva dinghy sailing boats and a road trailer. Sponsorships will enable a significant number of children and adults who have mental or physical disabilities, along with a number of different ethnic minority backgrounds, to access the water every day.

Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said:  “We are pleased to be able to support the local community and help promote access to one of the UKs most famous stretches of water.   Southampton Water not only plays an important role as a gateway for UK trade and commercial shipping but provides an ideal opportunity for young people to learn about the pleasures of sailing and develop new skills.  Maybe the sponsorship of this new boat will help inspire some budding young ships’ captains!”
If your company is interested in sponsoring a boat at Southampton Water Activities Centre, please contact Anna Zakotti for a sponsorship proposal booklet on 023 8091 5750 or email:anna.zakotti@activenation.org.uk