An 18 year old who learned to sail on the waters of Falmouth Harbour has become one of the world’s leading youth dinghy sailors after finishing second in the RS Aero 5 Youth World Championship in Germany.
Noah Carden, who grew up in St Mawes and attended St Mawes and Roseland Schools, secured the silver medal at the 2026 RS Aero Youth World Championships, held during the prestigious Travemünder Woche sailing festival. He also came 7th overall in the European adult competition.
The RS Aero championship was part of the RS Games, one of the largest celebrations of dinghy sailing in the world, which attracted almost 200 competitors from more than 15 nations, with 60 of the world’s best youth sailors competing in the RS Aero Youth fleet. Over five days on the Baltic Sea, competitors experienced everything from powerful 30 knot winds and demanding waves to light, tactical racing that tested every aspect of sailing ability. On one of the most challenging of days Noah also gained his first win in an international race.
Competing in the RS Aero 5, a modern, lightweight single-handed racing dinghy designed and built by RS Sailing, the dinghy has become one of the world’s fastest-growing performance classes. Noah demonstrated exceptional consistency and speed throughout the week to finish as Youth World Championship Runner-up. The Aero rewards fitness, tactical awareness and precise boat handling, making success at this level a true test of all-round sailing ability.
Travemünder Woche is one of Europe’s largest maritime festivals and one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious sailing festivals, held each July in the German Baltic Sea resort of Travemünde near Lübeck. Established in 1889, it combines elite international sailing with a major public festival, attracting hundreds of boats and thousands of competitors from across the world.
The result continues an outstanding rise through the sport. Having previously been crowned UK RS Aero 5 National Youth Champion in 2025, Noah has progressed from local club racing to standing on the podium at one of the world’s premier youth sailing events.
Growing up beside Falmouth Harbour, Noah learned to sail in waters that have shaped generations of talented sailors. His journey shows why Falmouth Harbour is considered one of Britain’s best places to learn the sport: sheltered areas for beginners, demanding tidal conditions, open-water racing and a strong network of sailing clubs, coaches and volunteers all create an exceptional environment for developing young talent.
Now representing Restronguet Sailing Club Noah, also a member of St Mawes Sailing Club, was proud to represent Great Britain on the international stage.
Noah follows in an amazing Restronguet Sailing Club tradition. Sir Ben Ainslie also learned to sail at the club before becoming Britain’s most decorated Olympic sailor. While Noah’s sailing journey is only just beginning, his Youth World Championship silver medal is another reminder that the waters of the Falmouth Harbour continue to produce sailors capable of competing with the very best in the world.
Noah Carden says, “It’s been an incredible week of racing against some of the best young and adult sailors in the world. The conditions tested everyone including me, and I’m really proud to come away with a silver medal. I learned so much, and it’s all thanks to the support I’ve had from my family, coaches, Restronguet and St Mawes Sailing Club and everyone back home in St Mawes who helped me get to this point.
“Growing up sailing in St Mawes and Falmouth Harbour gave me an amazing place to learn. To go from sailing around Falmouth Harbour to stand on a World Championship podium is pretty special. Hopefully it shows other young sailors in Cornwall what’s possible with hard work and plenty of time on the water.”
Robin Laney, Commodore of Restronguet Sailing club says, “Everyone at Restronguet Sailing Club is incredibly proud of Noah’s achievement. To become Youth World Championship silver medallist against such a strong international fleet is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects not only his exceptional talent and determination, but also years of dedication on and off the water.
“We hope his success inspires many more young people to get involved in sailing and shows the remarkable opportunities that learning to sail on the waters of the Falmouth Harbour can provide.”
At the beginning of what promises to be a long sailing career, becoming 2026 RS Aero 5 Youth World Championship Silver Medallist is an outstanding achievement. The support of family, fellow sailors, volunteers and coaches has enabled a local youngster from St Mawes to compete with, and beat, many of the world’s best young sailors.