Head Coach for Junior and Youth Fleets

We are delighted to announce Hugh Styles as our new Head Coach for Junior and Youth Fleets. This new role has been made possible by the support from one of the club's members. It will lead to the continued development of the Junior and Youth classes at the club, enabling young Royal Lymington Yacht Club sailors and their coaches to achieve their full potential.

Hugh Styles: British Sailing Team's Coach of the Year

As well as being a very successful laser and multihull sailor in his own right, Hugh has 25 years experience in coaching, mentoring and programme management, he was voted British sailing team's Coach of the Year in 2019.

Hugh has coached at all levels including the Olympics with the British sailing team for both the foiling Nacra 17 and Laser Radial classes. Having served on the RYA youth racing committee and been the Head British Coach to the Youth World Championships, he brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to the role.

Sarah Richards, Captain of Juniors at the RLymYC, said "We are very excited by this appointment. The Royal Lymington Yacht Club are very fortunate to be able to call on Hugh's experience to inspire our sailors at the club. Hugh will start his role during October and will be working with the different fleets to build development programmes and to support our existing team of fantastic coaches."

The RLymYC has a great history of developing sailors from its Wednesday Junior Sailing programme, available to all in the local community, supported by the Yacht Havens Group through to Junior and Youth Fleets that include Optimist, Tera, Feva, Aero, Laser, 29er and 420.

While the Head Coach role will primarily focus on the sailors wanting to improve their racing performance, RLymYC also offers RYA Training and development.