LIFE-CHANGING SAILING

With Black Lives Matter hitting the headlines, Scaramouche Sailing Trust’s Jaydon Owusu and Tyler Harriott wanted to share their experiences of the UK sailing community

- Jaydon Owusu and Tyler Harriott

The global issue of racism, institutional or overt, is right at the top of most sporting governing bodies’ agendas. Discussions range from immediate incidents to the nature of structures within all institutions and the opportunities provided. Sailing has a unique challenge in many regards. Historically, it is seen as a white, wealthy sport which is difficult to break into and very expensive to progress in.

But let’s look at the reality for our Scaramouche Sailing Trust teammates. Our team is 90% Black and 100% Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME). We also have many young sailors, so are well placed to share our experiences.

After the 2017 Fastnet Race, we decided we would focus on dinghy sailing in 420s and a 29er, and we needed the right advice. David Franks, the fleet captain of Etchells, who came in to help us, brought in David Bedford, Matt Reid and Martin Evans - all hugely experienced, decorated and established in the sport.

It was initially suggested that integration not separation would be the best course of action, effectively splitting us up and putting us with more experienced crews to gain racing experience.

David Franks cracked the problem. He identified that this would always make us the weakest link, by virtue of our lack of experience. Instead, he suggested putting us together and then putting in a good coach.

The enthusiasm of our fellow crewmembers Montel and Camillo was matched by the experience of Matt Reid. The boys were highly competitive, learning in every race. But to access the sport competitively is expensive. David Franks stepped in again, providing them with a fully funded Etchells, year in, year out.