Downs Sailing Club’s Chris Shelton has been rewarded for his dedication to the sport at grassroots level with a Lifetime Commitment Award from the Royal Yachting Association.

Shelton, from Deal, was one of the volunteers whose invaluable contributions across sailing and boating communities were celebrated by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, President of the RYA, at an awards ceremony in London.

“The award was completely unexpected and I am humbled to have been put forward for it,” Shelton said.

“I have been teaching sailing for almost 50 years and whilst I find it very enjoyable, it is also a nice way to put something back into the sport.

“Downs Sailing Club is a very friendly club where everybody has to work together launching and recovering the boats on what can be a difficult shoreline.

“However this is often considered to be an asset of the club as it brings members together.

“It was very nice to meet the Princess Royal and the awards ceremony is something that will remain in my memory for a long time.”

The 2023 RYA Volunteer Awards saw 81 accolades given this year in recognition of the outstanding dedication and commitment made by volunteers of all ages and from all corners of the UK.

Shelton has been at the forefront at Downs Sailing Club for more than 25 years. Since the club became an RYA Recognised Training Centre in 2007, he has been the chief instructor, managing a training fleet of 14 dinghies and leading the annual ‘Learn to Sail’ courses.

Each year he manages the promotion, finances, bookings and staffing of these, as well as tutoring some courses. He also introduced a ‘Get into Racing’ programme and an OnBoard hotshot racing programme.

His management skills were a key element in the success of the week-long National Schools Regatta held at Deal back in 2014, when he oversaw the organisation of the event on behalf of the Kent Schools Sailing Association, bringing together 350 young people from throughout the UK.

He can be found getting his hands dirty, too. When the club roof was replaced, his involvement was key to a successful outcome. He also manages the club bar and finances. His attention to detail, in a very person-focused way, is exemplary.