ASTO

21/10/2026

Skills For Life ⛵

It’s fantastic to see the benefits of sail training showcased in the latest issue of RYA Magazine, with a dedicated article showing how experiences at sea can help young people build confidence while developing valuable skills for the future.

Skills for Life draws on ASTO’s recent Impact Review, highlighting how our member organisations help young people build practical skills and strengthen their prospects in education and employment.

We’re really proud to work closely with the Royal Yachting Association, to champion sail training and the lasting difference it can make to young people’s lives.

You can read the full article in RYA Magazine, here:

WORDS: FERGUS COLLINS

14/10/2026

What do residential adventures at sea have to do with employment? More than you might think.

Employers value communication, teamwork, problem-solving, reliability, adaptability and the confidence to take responsibility. Those are exactly the kinds of skills young people practise across ASTO's 30 membership organisations.

You can't learn everything from a textbook; sometimes the best way to develop a skill is to have a reason to use it, and a crew that depends on you.

The experience may last days or weeks; the skills have the potential to last much longer.

Image credit: Ocean Youth Trust South

09/10/2026

If you could sum up the Cowes Small Ships Challenge in three words, what would they be? We asked our young participants, and the top answers were clear: Fun, Exciting, Amazing!

08/10/2026

Challenge 18: Most Creative Snack platter - points for attractiveness, imagination, construction. Which one's your favourite?

07/10/2026

Disabled young people are twice as likely to experience mental‑health difficulties, yet many face barriers to enrichment and outdoor learning.

ASTO’s member organisations provide accessible vessels, adapted equipment and inclusive roles that ensure every young person can contribute meaningfully as part of the crew.

Inclusion isn’t an add‑on; it’s built into the experience.

Find out more about the evidence behind this work in ASTO’s latest Impact Review and accessible version here: www.asto.org.uk

Image credit: Ellen MacArthur Trust

EMCTrust

06/10/2026

What a weekend!

When the wind didn't quite play ball, our fleet embraced the spirit of sail training and rose to the occasion. And from the Small Ships Race, a new event was born - the Small Ships Challenge.

With 34 possible tasks to complete across the Solent, crews demonstrated teamwork, resilience, creativity and determination throughout an unforgettable weekend on and off the water. Challenges ranged from ‘Vessel Bingo’ and snapping selfies with various vessels, to taking the race flags to designated locations and putting navigation skills to the test with a hand-bearing compass. Each challenge had a points value and bonus points were also available for those who completed all their challenges under sail alone.

Over the course of the event, 21 vessels and 222 young people came together to create lasting memories, build new friendships and share valuable experiences at sea.

ASTO's Small Ships events are about so much more than competition. At their heart, it is about bringing people together and providing young people with opportunities to learn, grow and gain confidence through sail training.

It also showcases the incredible spirit of collaboration that runs throughout the sail training sector. From dedicated staff and volunteers to member organisations working together behind the scenes, this event is only possible because so many people share a belief in the transformative power of residential adventures at sea.

A special thank you to the volunteers, skippers, crew members, organisers and supporters whose hard work, enthusiasm and commitment helped make this year's event such a success.

Thank you for being part of another fantastic Small Ships event. We can't wait to do it all again next year!

Enjoy some of our favourite moments from the weekend below!

04/10/2026

Congratulations to the Cowes Small Ship Challenge class winners , Challenger 4, and Bright Star and Eastern Star from the - and a huge thank you to Bloomsbury Nautical for donating four copies of the 2027 Reeds Nautical Almanac - we had 4 very happy Skippers!



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04/10/2026

Congratulations to the Cowes Small Ship Challenge class winners Sailing Tectona, Tall Ships Youth Trust Challenger 4, and Bright Star and Eastern Star from the Morning Star Trust - and a huge thank you to Bloomsbury Nautical for donating four copies of the 2027 Reeds Nautical Almanac - we had 4 very happy Skippers!

03/10/2026

This year's Cowes Small Ships Race transformed into a powerful showcase of the true spirit of sail training, as over 300 young people, sea staff, and volunteers came together to tackle 34 challenges on the water and off. From boat bingo to flag making and buoy spotting to a mythical creature hunt, they had a fantastic day on the water! Now for the prize giving! 🌊💪

03/10/2026

Great to have Offshore Scout and Ocean Scout with us in Cowes for the Cowes Small Ships Race!