Freddie's season off to a flyer!
Sailing has been a huge part of life at Rydal Penrhos for more than 60 years.
The school is situated just a stone’s throw from the Colwyn Bay shoreline and has produced a plethora of international-calibre sailors over the years – many of whom go on to achieve exceptional things both in education and once they embark on new challenges.
Rydal Penrhos also offers sailing as part of the curriculum and the school’s Sailing and Water-Sports Centre is accredited by the Royal Yachting Association.
One pupil who has gone from strength to strength in recent years is Freddie MacLaverty, who joined as a Year 3 pupil back in 2015 and wasted no time in discovering his passion for all things sailing.
His exploits on the water have seen Freddie go on to attain some remarkable individual achievements, with one of the highlights seeing his partnership with Keira Luke attaining the U18 General Handicap Fleet crown at the British Youth Sailing Welsh Regional Championships.
Freddie worked exceptionally hard throughout the winter off-season period with the Welsh National ILCA/Laser 4.7 squad, building up core skills under the guidance of specialist coaches in readiness for a busy summer of competitive action across the country and beyond.
This stood Freddie in enormously good stead during qualifying races in pursuit of attaining a place in the Team GB youth squad for the World Championships in Portugal.
The latest event, which was held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, featured 65 hopefuls from around the United Kingdom and saw Freddie turn in an exceptional performance to finish second in the U16 boys’ category and third overall.
Freddie recently followed this up with a sterling performance in the Welsh ILCA 6/Laser category at the RYA Youth Nationals (Under 21), finishing first overall thanks to a rousing effort following five hugely competitive days of racing at Pwllheli Sailing Club.
The school awarded Freddie a sports scholarship premium in 2020 in recognition of his exceptional commitment and impressive results on the national stage. This included a £500 contribution each year from Rydal Penrhos to further his talent.