The Royal Yachting Association

Colin Ridley, (52) from Ferndown in Dorset scooped the title of RYA Shorebased Instructor of the Year last month and today (Saturday 1 March) made it a double when he was announced overall RYA Instructor of the Year at the world’s biggest dinghy show, the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show, Alexandra Palace.

Colin beat ten of the UK’s top RYA Coaches and Instructors, each recognised for being at the height of their teaching disciplines in 2007, to win the ultimate award. Spanning from powerboating to dinghy sailing and windsurfing to yachting, these awards cover all aspects of boating and recognise the skill, enthusiasm and commitment that goes in to coaching and instructing from grass roots to Olympic level.

Colin, was nominated for the award by Poole Adult Learning, one of the many centres, including his own, that he instructs at. Qualified in many aspects of RYA coaching, Colin started teaching RYA Dinghy courses in his spare time in 1991, before going full-time as a freelance instructor in 2002.

Colin said of his win: “I was absolutely delighted to have won the Shorebased award but to get this is the crowning glory really, it’s excellent. I’ve got to live up to the reputation now!”

Poole Adult Learning said: “Colin has a really proactive and pioneering teaching style which has proved outstandingly successful. He has also established training partnerships with local schools to directly encourage young people to participate in courses.”

Winners of the ten awards categories were:

Dinghy Instructor of the Year – Andrew Knight
Senior Instructor of the Year – Margaret Norris
Powerboat Instructor of the Year – Alan Hoile
Under 21 Coach of the Year – Matt Day
Club and Class Coach of the Year – Nick Sawyer
Squad Coach of the Year – Neil Marsden
Windsurfing Instructor of the Year – Trish Melton
Team15 Coach of the Year – Andy Kerr
Yachtmaster Instructor of the Year – Nick Moulton MBE 
Shorebased Instructor of the Year – Colin Ridley

If you know a coach or instructor who deserves to be rewarded for their skills, enthusiasm and commitment, why not nominate for the next round of awards?

Use the link above to download nomination guidelines and a form.