Latest News

We are delighted to announce that the organisers of Cowes Week, a huge week-long regatta of races and events, have named GCA sailing project as their Official Charity 2020.  

Laurence Mead, Regatta Director at Cowes Week, commented:

'I am absolutely delighted to be able to welcome the Greig City Academy's Scaramouche Sailing Trust as the Official Charity of Cowes Week 2020.  Since I first met this group a couple of years ago I've seen Jon Holt and his team take complete non-sailors from a North London school and help them become amazing young people, who are at ease with the world and who, just for good measure ,are becoming really great sailors.  I've sailed top level Etchells events with them and they have just the right balance of competitiveness and sportsmanship.  They all give everything to their day on the water. I've sailed with sailors as young as 13 from Greig City Academy and on one occasion Ben Ainslie was in another competing boat.  We were battling away with a five-time Olympic medallist and the young person in the middle was 13!  He had a great attitude and hiked like he was in the America's Cup himself.  He wasn't fazed by five Olympic medals!

'Like a lot of charities, this one requires the driving force of a single-minded leader, and Jon Holt, having got the charity to this point with his incredible hard work and commitment, deserves every pound of support that we can muster.  I can't wait for Cowes Week 2020 to be able to present these great young people to everybody.'

Mr Holt said:  'It's wonderful for our charity to have the support of Cowes Week but it's also a great opportunity for all of our sailors to meet thousands of other passionate enthusiasts for this great sport.  The sailing community have really taken us into their hearts and we really appreciate the support we receive and we look forward to making many new friends during Cowes Week 2020.  Our sailors will be on hand racing a variety of boats and will be giving talks throughout the week about the Academy, our adventures and what it means to them as individuals.'