A GIFTED young sailor from Prestwick is in line for an award at a prestigious yachting bash this weekend.

The RYA Scotland Awards are an annual celebration of the people who make a difference across the recreational and competitive boating community in Scotland. The 2019 awards take place at The Falkirk Wheel this Saturday, January 25, where the winners will be announced.

Ross Bain (12) has been nominated in the Young Person of the Year category. He has been helpful and committed to the programme of sailing at Prestwick Sailing Club.

He even managed to get out sailing with sailing legend, Ian Walker, when he visited the club last September. Ross began to compete at junior sailing events last season winning an award for the best attitude at the Scottish Club Trophy in August. His promotion of sailing at his school has enabled more people to join the cadets. Ross simply loves being out in the water as he says it ‘Clears his head after a busy day at school.’ He is always smiling and chatting even after he falls in and loses his glasses.

He said: “I was over the moon and very surprised to be shortlisted as I really enjoy sailing and encouraging others to take up such a great sport. I love being out in the water and I am very lucky to have a sailing club close by. I wanted to buy my own topper so I saved up half the money to buy my first boat and my parents paid the rest, so I have many people to thank.”

Prestwick Sailing Club has also been shortlisted as the only Scottish club within the UK RYA and Yachts and Yachting Club of the Year Awards supported by Gallagher which is open to a public vote.

The future looks bright for Prestwick Sailing Club having a clear pathway of objectives to take the club from strength to strength going forward and increasing their membership by over 80% since 2016. Prestwick Sailing Club have been recognised for “Boosting Membership” by the UK Awards Panel. People should head to the Yachts and Yachting page to vote for your local club. RYA Scotland Annual Awards sought nominations from across a variety of categories to help share some of the events and people who make a difference for people’s time afloat.