The Rob Cartwright Memorial Trophy

The Robert Cartwright Memorial Trophy will be awarded this weekend at the RYA Youth & Masters/UKWA British Open

Robert Cartwright was a young Windsurfer (aged 12) who was a member of the West Zone Windsurfing Squad coached by Helen Cartwright and Ian Roberts. His older sister Sarah had been a member of the Youth National Squad and was a talented sailor. Robert loved Windsurfing and could always be seen with a smile on his face, going as fast as he possibly could and ‘normally' in the right direction!

He was a fantastic squad member and was friends with all of the other sailor in the squad and a joy to coach. Whilst not always winning every competition he would always enjoy himself and never gave up, finishing virtually every race he ever entered.

It was on the way home from a Zone Squad Windsurfing event that Robert was tragically killed along with his father Phil when their car was involved in a head on collision. Roberts mother Pat was seriously injured and has made a remarkable recovery. Sarah, Roberts's sister who was also injured, has continued to be involved in the sport of Windsurfing and coaches the up and coming youngsters of today.

The Rob Cartwright memorial trophy is a fitting tribute to Rob's memory being presented to a Windsurfer who personifies what Windsurfing meant to Robert, fun, enthusiasm, commitment and passion.

Past winners have included Richard Hamilton, Paul Sibley, Lindsey Smith, and Matt Brown.
It has been the greatest honour to have Pat and Sarah present the trophy in person each year at the Youth and Junior Championships.