Our Story
A story of ambition, opportunity and changing lives through sailing
The Scaramouche Sailing Trust supports the Greig City Academy Sailing Programme, proving that sailing can be accessible to everyone, regardless of background.
This video made by charity partner, Dual, in 2021 tells the story from sailing as an outward bound activity, supported by Greig City Academy head teacher Paul Sutton, to opening up the opportunities that there are today.
The programme began
Students from inner-city state school GCA were introduced to sailing as an outward-bound activity. They loved it and wanted to do more. Lead teacher, Jon Holt, bought a small yacht on ebay and started restoring her. Students developed skills, confidence and ambition that led to an extraordinary goal: becoming the first comprehensive state school to complete the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Gaining Momentum
To compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race, they needed to upgrade their boat. With advice and support from the sailing community, they bought ‘Scaramouche’ a 45ft ex-Admirals Cup boa from 1981, brought her back to life and training started in earnest.
Creating Waves
First comprehensive school to complete the Fastnet Race to the excitement of the student and awe of the sailing world. Montel Fagan-Jordan was awarded the YJA ‘Young Sailor of the Year’ and earned the crew the RYA Award for Endeavour
Full Steam Ahead
Winner of the Small Ships Race and girls only programme launched
Charity Support
The Scaramouche Sailing Trust was established as a charity to support Greig City Academy’s rapidly growing programme, while GCA completed their second back-to-back Fastnet.
Official Charity
Scaramouche Sailing Trust was announced as Cowes Week regatta’s official charity. YJA MS AMLIN awarded Jon Holt ‘International Sailor of the Decade’
Greater numbers
Grassroots sailing really started to take off with increasing number of secondary school student taking to the water in London
Going for Gold
During Cowes Week , Kai Hockley won Musto Young Skipper Trophy and Christopher Frederick won the Youth Trophy. Round the Island Race saw GCA students took home silver in IRC. Quarter Tonner and Youth categories
Accolades & Achievements
BYA for Sailor of the Year for Jessye Opoku-Ware for his contribution on and off the water. Scaramouche Sailing Trust was BYA Charity of the Year. RIOT won the IRC inshore series, Cornielle Leprince won the Draycote ILCA Open regatta. Kai Hockley won the Sporting Equals Youth Sports Award as well as the Cowes Week Youth Trophy with Jessye. The Etchells team won the RYS Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy and girls’ sailing gained momentum on Zahara.
Etchells winners
Having completed every winter training session at Etchell Youth Academy, Team Palaver No.1014 had high hopes for doing well. And they smashed it! Highly commended by BYA Awards and Etchells International Series Winners. Scaramouche Sailing Trust undertook research with other national sailing organisations to identify lessons learned.
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