A TEENAGE sailing enthusiast from Otley is looking forward to a North Sea adventure.

Skipton Craven Rotary Club is sponsoring 17-year-old Helen Winpenny to take part in the Ocean Youth sailing course, from North Shields, in August.

Helen, who is studying health studies at Craven College, said: “My interest in sailing started in a dinghy at Otley Sailing Club and now I’m excited about the crewing opportunity in a tall ship navigating the North Sea around the coast of Britain, and maybe Norway.

“It’s important to me to learn new skills, meet new people and experience new challenges.”

Chairman of the Vocational and Youth Opportunities committee of Skipton Craven Rotary Club, Ray Helme, said: “We are convinced Helen will benefit greatly from the experience in the North Sea and the skills she learns will add to her already impressive land-based outdoor knowledge.

“Helen has accepted the offer and the registration process has taken place. Supporting young people is one of our club’s key priorities.

“We provide access to leadership experiences on land through the Rotary Youth Leadership scheme, and at sea by working with the Ocean Youth Trust (North).”

Looking ahead to life after college, Helen added: “I love the outdoors and photography and in the past couple of years I’ve done trekking in Canada and visited Iceland as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

“My ambition is be a nurse in the British Army so studying on the health care course is important.”