Why be active?

Physical activity is essential for good health and will make a difference to your quality of life.

Just 30 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity on 5 or more days a week can help.

Once you start being active, the benefits will become obvious. You'll experience:

better health
more energy
reduced stress
stronger bones and muscles
better balance, strength, suppleness and mobility
more independence in later life
improved sleep
better maintenance of a healthy weight
more social opportunities
a sense of achievement
increased enjoyment

So what's stopping you?

Sophie Ainsworth

Sophie Ainsworth - Sailor

Background

Sophie Ainsworth Sophie (19) learnt to sail when she was 10 at Bewl Valley Sailing Club in Tunbridge Wells as her brother sailed and she was getting dragged along watching him. She started sailing in an Optimist doing the national and international circuit and was in the National squad.

At the age of 13 she moved into 420 class. In 2003 she was selected to represent GB in her first World Championships, the first of many. She was in the 420 National squad. On the last year of the Youth programme Sophie moved to crewing a 29er with her previous rival Sophie Weguelin.

At the 29er World Championships in 2007 she won 2 gold medals – youth and girls World Champions. They were then selected to represent GB as the girls double handed boat at the ISAF Youth Worlds (one boat from each country) which they won silver. They were then selected to become a member of the 470 Womens Olympic Development Squad and have been campaigning for the last year.

The most recent success on the Olympic circuit was coming second at Palamo’s Christmas 2008 regatta in Spain.

1) What has been your greatest sporting achievement?

Winning silver at the ISAF Youth Worlds. It was all on the last race as to whether we won a medal with second to fifth having a point in it. It was a windy race (25 knots), boats capsizing. We won the race and capsized over the finishing line.

2) What are your future ambitions?

The long term aim is to win a gold medal at the 2012/2016 Olympic Games.

3) What do you like doing in your spare time?

I love snowboarding, surfing, longboarding and road biking. I also like being and going out with friends and listening to music like the Killers and Snow Patrol.

To return to the Active Ashford Ambassador page click here.

Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford TN23 1PL
Telephone: 01233 330232 Email: activeashford@ashford.gov.uk