A YOUNG sailor was given a big Christmas present – one that would take a lot of wrapping paper.

Teifi Boating Club’s Gruffydd Green has been awarded a new boat thanks to the John Merricks Sailing Trust, the official charity partner of the RYA OnBoard programme for the third year running.

Gruffydd, 12, was one of 11 youngsters elected from hundreds of

applications after competing in the RYA Zone and Home Country

Championships, which took place at eight venues across the UK this September.

He has been sailing for one and a half years at Teifi Boating Club, and has been awarded a Topper, alongside four other young sailors around the UK, whilst another six have been granted BIC Techno 2930D windsurf boards.

“I think sailing is a very exciting, fun sport. I have tried a lot of different sports in the past but I enjoy sailing the best,” said Gruffydd.

“I am so lucky to live by the sea and I love the excitement that I feel when I am sailing, especially when racing,” he added.

“I couldn’t believe it when Mam told me the news!

“It was the most awesome feeling ever, I was jumping up and down and everyone in the house was cheering."

See next week’s Cambrian News for the full story