On Saturday 19th July 2025, participants from across our programmes (Kicks/JPL/OPCC) joined the exciting SailGP Community Activation Day at Southsea Seafront, marking a fantastic collaboration between Pompey in the Community, Andrew Simpson Centre, 1851 Trust, Energise Me, and the Royal Yachting Association.
The day was designed to inspire young people through a blend of STEM learning and hands-on sailing activities, all against the dramatic backdrop of the SailGP grandstand and racecourse.
The morning kicked off with a range of interactive, STEM-focused workshops. Led by the expert team at the 1851 Trust, participants explored the science behind sailing—building their own boats using recycled materials and diving into the world of coding and engineering using Sphero robots. These sessions encouraged critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, all while making complex concepts accessible and fun.
After lunch, attention turned to the water as the Andrew Simpson Centre delivered an afternoon of thrilling seafront activities. Participants had the chance to experience sailing and winging, many for the first time, under the guidance of qualified instructors. For a city with such a rich maritime heritage, learning water safety and navigation skills is not just exciting, it’s essential.
The impact of the day was clear to see. When asked how they felt about being on the sea, 100% of our participants responded with “super excited” and “confident.” For many, this was their first time taking part in water-based activities, and the positive feedback speaks volumes about the empowering and supportive environment created by the day’s partners. It’s moments like these that can spark lifelong passions and build lasting self-belief.
The day was a shining example of what can be achieved through partnership. The passion and energy of the teams from the Andrew Simpson Centre, 1851 Trust, Energise Me, and the RYA ensured a truly engaging and supportive environment for all involved.
“The SailGP Community Activation Day was absolutely fantastic for our participants. It was a brilliant opportunity for them to develop new skills both out on the water and in the classroom. Subtle learning around coding, engineering, and crucially, water safety, so important for an island city with a proud maritime heritage was seamlessly woven into the day.” Taylor Monk –
Head of Community
” I’ve never thought about going sailing before. The instructors were really friendly and helpful and made me feel like I could stand on the board. I want to do more this summer.”
“My favourite part of the day was either the swimming or the robots. Learning how to control the robots and coding was great fun and something I’ve never seen before.”
Neeve and Imrana – Pompey in The Community participants
We’re proud to continue creating opportunities like this that empower our young people, connect them with their community, and open new doors through sport, innovation, and adventure.
