Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visits UKSA Deck Games

Today Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited UKSA Deck Games at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show.

Patron of UKSA, Her Royal Highness spent time talking to Jon Ely, Chief Executive of the Academy, about the stand’s activities which have been designed to inspire young people and educate them about maritime career opportunities. The sail hoist, spot the difference competition, dinghy rigging race, knot activities and Concept 2 rowing machines were engaging pupils from two local schools during the Princess’s visit – West Ham Church of England Primary School and the London Academy. West Ham Primary School pupils were gathering information from the show as part of a media and art project, UKSA Deck Games enabled them to get ‘hands on’ and learn new skills.

Her Royal Highness commented on the good level of activity on the stand and the range of fun activities available. She also discussed with Jon the increasing opportunities that exist for young people in the marine industry.

Cowes based UKSA inspires people of all ages, particularly the young, to get involved in sailing and watersports. So far, UKSA Deck Games has proved very successful with show visitors, hundreds of children have signed up to take part in the stand’s activities and some famous faces have dropped in to share their sailing expertise with the young sailors of tomorrow. Dame Ellen MacArthur continues to hold the record for the fastest female to hoist the stand’s sail, closely followed by Dee Caffari who started her sailing career at UKSA and was yesterday named as the Raymarine YJA Yachtsman of the year 2006.