A COVENTRY sailor who has dedicated his life to the sport has been presented with a prestigious award by HRH Princess Anne.
Vic Stuthridge received a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Lifetime Commitment Award, which recognises individuals who have shown exceptional commitment and dedication to their club or organisation for at least 15 years, at the RYA’s annual awards ceremony.
Having co-founded the Heart Of England Offshore Cruising Association (HOEOCA) in 1993, Vic is considered the ‘father’ of sailing in the area.
Over the years he has helped hundreds of local sailors follow their passion and, to this day, he still runs shore-based RYA courses to help them improve their knowledge and skills and providing advice and assistance to people new to sailing.
Congratulating Vic on his award, Judy Lambourne, commodore of the HOEOCA, said: “There are so many people based in the West Midlands who love the sea and enjoy spending their leisure time getting out to the coast and yacht sailing.
“By co-founding HOEOCA Vic helped make this a year round pastime for anyone, providing a sociable club for people to get together, learn new skills, meet new people to sail with and discover new places to go sailing.
“So many more people in the West Midlands now have greater access to doing the thing they love because of Vic’s passion over so many years and we are absolutely delighted to see him get this award.”
The RYA Volunteer Awards are considered the ‘MBEs’ of the sport and Vic was joined by 23 other people from across the country to be presented with Lifetime Committment Awards by The Princess Royal.
Alistair Dickson, RYA director of sport development, added: “These volunteers are making our sport happen and without them local people wouldn’t be getting out on the water and enjoying all the activities they do.
“It’s really important we take the time to say thank you.”
Visit www.rya.org.uk/go/startboating for more information on how to get out on the water in the Midlands.
