SEND pupils from six schools set for Trevassack Lake regatta

Pupils from six special schools across west Cornwall have spent the year learning to sail. On Tuesday 7 July, they get their chance to show what they can do.

A season on the water

The annual Inclusive Games Regatta at Trevassack Lake brings together pupils aged 8 to 25 from six Special Educational Needs and Disability schools. It marks the end of the school sailing season and a chance to put a year of practice into action.

The day is built around the skills, teamwork and confidence the pupils have developed over months of lessons. Families and friends are invited to come and watch, and the afternoon finishes with a medal giving ceremony.

This year the regatta is supported by ELIQUO HYDROK, a Cornish engineering company.

Why a water engineering firm is backing it

ELIQUO HYDROK works to protect the water environment, so backing a charity that uses the county’s coastline to build confidence and independence in young people fits how the company sees its role in Cornwall.

Peter Wroe, Co-Managing Director and CFO of ELIQUO HYDROK, said the firm believes successful businesses have a responsibility to the communities around them.

“Children’s Sailing Trust gives young people opportunities to challenge themselves, build confidence and experience something many may never otherwise have the chance to do,” Peter said. “We’re proud to support this year’s SEND Regatta and celebrate everything the pupils have achieved.”

He added that the company’s commitment to Cornwall grows as the business does.

A centre built to include everyone

The Children’s Sailing Trust runs its programmes on the Helford River and from its headquarters at Trevassack Lake, where the watersports centre was designed to be as accessible as possible. The charity won the Gold award for inclusivity and accessibility at the Cornwall Tourism Awards.

Rupert Whelan, Chief Instructor and Activity Manager at the trust, said the centre was built so that every activity is open to all ages and abilities.

“We won the Gold award for inclusivity and accessibility in the Cornwall Tourism Awards, so it’s only natural that we celebrate the accomplishments of the students with our annual Inclusive School Games,” Rupert said. “We’re very happy that this year’s regatta can go ahead thanks to kind sponsorship from Eliquo Hydrok.”

More about the charity and its school and community sailing programme is on the Children’s Sailing Trust website. Through its SEND programme, the trust says, young people build confidence, resilience, communication and teamwork, often achieving things they never thought possible.