Recently Guides from the Isle of Wight joined with other Guides and Rangers to experience a water sports weekend at UKSA.
This covered all aspects of water sports and several girls now plan to take up sailing or other water based sports. Following on from this some may think of having a nautical career where there are so many opportunities. Careers could be: working on a superyacht, a professional sailor, all the branches of the Royal Navy, Boat Building or engineering to name a few.
For anyone wanting further information on nautical careers the RYS Foundation is an excellent starting place. Information on the Foundation is as follows:
The Royal Yacht Squadron Isle of Wight Foundation is now Celebrating 10 Years of Changing Young Lives,
This unique local charity is celebrating a milestone year. The Royal Yacht Squadron Isle of Wight Foundation marks its 10th anniversary in 2025, having supported around 300 young Islanders into training, education, and employment, particularly in the Island’s proud marine and maritime industries. Since its inception, it has awarded over half a million pounds in grants supporting jobs ranging from marine engineering to superyacht crew positions, entirely funded by RYS members.
Founded in 2015 to honour the bicentenary of the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Foundation was set up with a single aim: to give back to the Isle of Wight community by empowering local youth with the skills and confidence to succeed.
“The Foundation was created to serve the community that has supported the Squadron for generations,” said Carron Snagge OBE DL, Chairman of the Foundation. “We knew there were many talented young people on the Island who simply needed a helping hand to realise their potential, and ten years on, we’ve seen what that support can achieve.”
Working with schools, colleges, local authorities, training providers, and employers, the Foundation offers funding, usually between £250 and £3,000, and occasionally more, to support young people aged 15 to 29. This funding helps cover training costs, apprenticeships, equipment, travel, and essential qualifications, breaking down the financial barriers that often prevent island youth from progressing.
Real Stories, Real Change
Lloyd transitioned from kitchen work to an electronics apprenticeship at Land Rover BAR, with the Foundation covering essential travel expenses. He is now a Senior Electrical Technician and worked on his third America’s Cup campaign last year with INEOS Britannia.
Amy transitioned from zero-hours work at a children’s play area to professional sailing, thanks to Foundation support for her Yachtmaster Offshore training and then her Yachtmaster Ocean. She has since served as a Mate on the 72ft ketch Faramir and now works with the Tall Ships Youth Trust and is leading a youth team challenge for the 2025 Fastnet Race. Her goal is to skipper a yacht in the next Clipper Round the World Race.
Sophie, inspired by volunteering on a Mediterranean NGO rescue ship, used her Foundation grant to gain STCW certification and marine engineering training. She continues to work in humanitarian marine operations and is now training others in the field.
A Decade of Impact, A Future of Opportunity
As the Foundation looks ahead to its second decade, the mission remains clear: to continue investing in young people and strengthening the island’s future by building skills, confidence, and connections.
James Stevens, Chairman of the Grants Panel, said, “The Foundation Grants Panel speaks to every applicant to discuss the possibilities of a maritime career and to allocate funding for course fees, travel, and equipment. For young people, this funding can be a lifeline giving them a way out of unemployment or a disruptive home life into a useful and well-paid career. Many of them keep in touch and tell us how they are progressing in jobs such as yacht and powerboat skippers, marine electricians, boat builders, ferry captains, harbour staff or working in shipyards. The Foundation can change lives.”
To find out more or to get involved, please visit rysfoundation.org.uk or contact info@rysfoundation.org.uk