The sixth RYA Scotland Annual Awards were hosted by sportscotland Inverclyde National Centre in Largs this year. 
Across the ten award categories there were plenty of inspiring individuals and teams who make a massive difference to the sport, which included inspiring optimist coach Robbie Burns and instructor Jonathan Briggs from Largs Sailing Club alongside windsurfer Andy Brown.
Glenn Porter of Ocean Sailing Scotland continued support for the event and opened the evening by praising the volunteers throughout the sailing community and linking this with the changes in technology, and added: “It is now more important than ever that we make sure that volunteering does not become a form of virtual reality, as you can in fact sail round the world virtually without actually getting your feet wet.”
The Performance of the Year Award had a range of outstanding nominees but Largs Sailing Club Member had Andy Brown’s series of medal winning performances in the RS:X Class that secured him the award.
Originally from Glasgow, Andy, a member of both Largs Sailing Club and Loch Insh Sailing Club, is now studying Naval Architecture at The University of Strathclyde, where he also won the Student Athlete of the Year Award.
Of course Andy was also focussing on his training and was in Cadiz where he sent a sunny and assured message for the guests on the evening. Andy Brown won a Bronze medal at RS:X Class Youth World Championships and started his 2017 season retaining his title at the Youth Nationals and selection to the Youth Sailing Worlds. Andy is a talented sailor who shows great potential, organised and a great role model to younger sailors coming through the pathway.
The Coach of the Year award was presented to the Tiree Wave Camp Coaching team but Robbie Burns was highly praised. Jonathan Briggs missed out on the Instructor of the Year award this year, but the racing which he has motivated so many young sailors into at the club did result in winning the Scottish Club Trophy in 2017.