LIFE-CHANGING SAILING
Yachting Monthly|September 2020
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
LIFE-CHANGING SAILING

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.

Esta historia es de la edición September 2020 de Yachting Monthly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 2020 de Yachting Monthly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE YACHTING MONTHLYVer todo
Midsummer on Hanö
Yachting Monthly UK

Midsummer on Hanö

This wonderful little island in the south-east of Sweden is a real gem off the beaten track

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 2025
ADVENTURE SAILING TO HAITI
Yachting Monthly UK

ADVENTURE SAILING TO HAITI

After spending two months in the Dominican Republic, Andy Brown sails west to Haïti bringing medical and school supplies to the town of Mole Saint Nicholas

time-read
8 minutos  |
January 2025
In celebration of bad sailing
Yachting Monthly UK

In celebration of bad sailing

New owner Monty Halls tests his sailing skills with his family aboard their Colvic 34 ketch, Sobek. A recently qualified Day Skipper, Monty faces a few unexpected challenges...

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 2025
Winter brings excitement and opportunity
Yachting Monthly UK

Winter brings excitement and opportunity

Oddity’s double glazing, insulation and heating create a warm, homely environment as I bash out this column.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 2025
ADVENTURE MAISIE GOES TO GOES
Yachting Monthly UK

ADVENTURE MAISIE GOES TO GOES

To depart or not to depart? That is the question. Is it safer to stay, or suffer the wind and weather of a rough North Sea?

time-read
7 minutos  |
January 2025
'MAYDAY, GRANDAD OVERBOARD!'
Yachting Monthly UK

'MAYDAY, GRANDAD OVERBOARD!'

When David Richards and his grandson Henry went out racing from lowey, they didn't expect their sail to end with a lifeboat rescue

time-read
4 minutos  |
January 2025
VERTUE
Yachting Monthly UK

VERTUE

For a 25-footer, the Vertue has a huge reputation and has conquered every ocean. So what makes this little boat quite such an enduring success? Nic Compton finds out

time-read
10+ minutos  |
January 2025
Sailing siblings
Yachting Monthly UK

Sailing siblings

Mabel Stock, her brother Ralph, a friend Steve and an unnamed paying passenger passed through the Panama Canal in December 1919 on the sturdy Norwegian cutter Ogre. They were towed to a quiet anchorage in Balboa away from the boat traffic but within rowing distance of the shore.

time-read
5 minutos  |
January 2025
TECHNICAL MAINSAIL MODIFICATIONS
Yachting Monthly UK

TECHNICAL MAINSAIL MODIFICATIONS

Safety and performance improved hugely when Mike Reynolds reduced the size of his mainsail and re-configured the systems controlling it

time-read
8 minutos  |
January 2025
PILOTAGE DONE PROPERLY
Yachting Monthly UK

PILOTAGE DONE PROPERLY

Chartplotters are an amazing aid, but can detract from your real-world pilotage if not used with caution, says Justin Morton

time-read
10+ minutos  |
January 2025