Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell joined pupils from across Dumfries and Galloway at Loch Ken on Friday for the Schools’ Regatta. The annual event, held at the Galloway Activity Centre, offers the pupils the opportunity to go head to head in a fun and friendly environment under the supervision and stewardship of experienced sailors.
Schools taking part include Lockerbie Academy, Dumfries High, Castle Douglas, Wallace Hall, Dalbeattie, Saint Josephs’ and Douglas Ewart. The event included different leagues allowing young sailors of different ages and stages to take part regardless of their abilities and experience.
Mr Mundell joined pupils for their briefing ahead of the first race of the day and watched the boats launch off on what had to be one of the wettest and windiest day of 2012 so far. Mr Mundell was extremely impressed by the opportunity the event and the training leading up to it had given young people from across the region to get involved in sport, developing their confidence and social skills as well as encouraging them to be more active. Mr Mundell was also keen to visit the Galloway Activity Centre ahead of the Olympics later this summer and congratulate them on the work they are doing to promote the games through their special activity days.
Speaking after the event Mr Mundell said: “I was greatly impressed by the fearless attitude of these young people as they set sail in conditions most people wouldn’t dare to leave the house in. Their passion for sailing is a real credit to all those who have invested their time and energies in encouraging and helping them get to this stage.
“The Galloway Activity Centre shows that sport is for anyone and that you don’t just have to go to the gym. I was greatly impressed by the team spirit and careful supervised environment they offer. I hope some of these kids go on to be the future stars of Team GB but, more importantly, I recognise the fantastic opportunity they have been offered to have fun and make friends.”