David's Youth Games dream

Written by East End Life Tuesday, 03 June 2008 10:46

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A WAPPING teenager is looking forward to getting the wind in his sails next month when he represents Tower Hamlets in the London Youth Games sailing regatta.

The event at the Royal Victoria Docks will see more than 100 youngsters from across London’s 33 boroughs battling it out on the water.

It is the first time that sailing has been part of the London Youth Games for five years and 14-year-old David McAdam, who attends the London Nautical School, can’t wait.

“I am really looking forward to taking part in the games, a bit nervous but very excited,” he said.

“I’m pretty competitive so hope to do well. Winning would be fantastic, but I’m sure the competition will be pretty fierce, so I will just give it my best shot.”

With so much water right on the doorstep in Tower Hamlets, sailing represents a great alternative to the traditional sports and David summed up the appeal.

“It’s fantastic having this event in London as it’s great to get outside and do something different,” he said. “Sailing is such great fun, I love the speed and it really gets the adrenaline going.”

The regatta will be made up of five events – male and female Oppie Junior events, for the nine to 12 age group, the male and female Pico senior events for those aged 12 to 17 and a mixed Pico event for sailors of all ages.

All events are open to children of any ability, from absolute beginners to more advanced sailors.

The London Youth Games has unearthed Olympians such as Tower Hamlets triple jumper Phillips Idowu and, with sailing a big part of the London 2012 Olympics, the talent spotters could be out in force.

“It’s great to see so many youngsters taking part in the sailing events, we will definitely have our eyes open to spot any potential champions of the future,” said Steve Mitchell of the Royal Yacht Association’s east London programme.

“Who knows we could have a future 2012 Olympic sailor in our midst!

“Having events like these in London goes to prove that you don’t need to live by the sea to go sailing.”