Ambassadors

As a charity, UKSA's work in introducing young people to adventurous activities afloat and developing their passion for sailing and watersports is supported by a number of well known sailing personalities.

Dame Ellen MacArthur

Dame Ellen MacArthur knows first hand how influential your first sailing experience can be in shaping your future and is right behind UKSA's work in providing watersports and yachting activities to suit a range of ages and abilities.

UKSA works with the Ellen MacArthur Trust, Ellen's charity for children recovering from leukaemia and other serious illnesses, by providing facilities, craft and operational support for the Trust's sailing trips.

"I have been working with UKSA as one of their Ambassadors for a number of years now. I really enjoy visiting the Academy to meet the children and students immersed in their activities and studies, it's great to see so many people as passionate about sailing as I am.

"UKSA's work is really varied, ranging from introducing children to the water for the first time  to coaching youth racing teams, from providing training to the local lifeboat crews to working with schools from some of the poorest parts of the UK. But in all of UKSA's activities I can see one common thread - the charity's passion for enhancing people's lives through sailing and watersports.

"I'm really proud to be an Ambassador for UKSA and am looking forward to continuing my support for a charity which inspires, develops and promotes sail training and seamanship to young people."

Shirley Robertson

British double Olympic gold medal winner Shirley Robertson is another great sailor who has chosen to support UKSA as an Ambassador.

Living on the Isle of Wight, Shirley is a regular visitor to the Academy and is particularly passionate about providing sailing opportunities for young people.

As a UKSA Ambassador, Shirley has offered her support to the UKSA's Gipsy Moth IV Project by becoming a Patron. She spent a lot of time at UKSA inspiring students from the five Isle of Wight High Schools to put a campaign together to compete in the 'Make Your Mark Round the Island Race' programme.

HRH The Princess Royal, UKSA Patron

As Patron of UKSA, I have watched it establish its pre-eminence as a non profit organisation specialising in teaching sailing and providing career training in Yachting and Watersports.

The excellent facilities at UKSA are coupled with a policy of constant refinement to the programmes to ensure that everyone is guaranteed the best possible tuition and support en-route to excellence in their chosen activities.

As a charity, UKSA aspires to help a wide variety of valuable and worthwhile sailing endeavours. I have seen first hand how valuable projects like the restoration and global voyage of Gipsy Moth IV have been inspiring young people to embrace adventure and believe in their own potential.

For those looking to embark on a new career in yachting or watersports, the marine leisure industry offers a great deal of adventure and excitement. It is very important that young people wishing to enter what is an increasingly regulated profession should receive the right training and qualifications from the start.

I am sure that in launching your career with UKSA you are providing yourself with a springboard for your future success.

Best wishes and happy sailing.
HRH The Princess Royal

Founder