Sporty pupil sails into success at Maple Hayes School

Harry is proud of his new sailing cup

A talented pupil at Lichfield’s Maple Hayes school has proved he can sail through life having picked up a coveted trophy.

Harry Fenton, aged 10, who is a member of the Manor Park Sailing Club in Staffordshire, and in just a short space of time, has successfully passed the Royal Yachting Association (RYA’s) Junior Sailing Qualifications stages 1 and 2, and is currently working towards stage 3.

Sporty Harry, who has only been sailing for a year, took part in his clubs annual Junior Commodores Cup this autumn and picked up first place.

His father Chris said Harry was a natural at the sport, and had ‘picked it up straight away’ when he attended a taster session at Manor Park in August 2021.

He added: “Sailing has been brilliant for Harry.  Before he started at Maple Hayes, Harry was struggling at school with his dyslexia, and sailing on Saturday and Wednesday nights was a great escape for him as he was able to be free out on the water either sailing or in his kayak.  

“The competition Harry won was an annual race held by the sailing club and is called the Commodore Cup.  All junior members can enter no matter what skill or experience level. They are handicapped depending on the boat they are using as some are faster than others.  

“Harry competed against sailors with more experience than him and faster boats!. They complete a number of laps of a circuit set out in one of the lakes.  He had a great ‘battle’ with another sailing boat, and was able to pip him at the line by a few meters.”

Dr Daryl Brown, Maple Hayes Headteacher, said: “We are incredibly proud of Harry for his achievements and it was lovely that he was able to bring the cup into school and show it off to all his friends and the teachers. What a great achievement for him and it is fantastic he was able to progress in the sport in such a short space of time.”

Harry out on the water

Set up in 1875 as the Yacht Racing Association, the RYA has become the national governing body for dinghy, motor and sail cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative body for inland waterways cruising.

The RYA exists to get more people into boating and watersport activities, promote safe boating practices and raise the standards of yachting and sailing in the UK through its network of more than 2,400 RYA recognised training centres in more than 58 countries, and more than 1,500 RYA affiliated clubs.