A LUCKY student took to the waters in a new yacht after winning a competition naming the vessel.

Hayden Jennings, from Two Village Primary School in Ramsey, entered an Essex outdoors competition for pupils to name three Dufour Drakker yachts.

Year Five student Hayden won the competition by naming one of the seven-metre day boats The Merry Weather.

Two other students from St Francis Catholic Primary School, in Maldon, named the two other boats Osea Pearl and Seas the Day.

The winning students were invited to the naming ceremony with their teachers and five classmates for the unveiling and an activity session on the yachts, as well as the opportunity to take part in high ropes and climbing activities last Friday.

The three yachts, part of a programme of investment in Essex Outdoors, will be based at the Essex Outdoors Bradwell and will be used by children, young people and adults for water based activities and sailing courses.

Ray Gooding, councillor responsible for education, said: was delighted to see children so excited about the competition and the opportunity to take to the water on the new boats, having fun as well as learn new skills.

He added: “I hope their experience today stays with them for years to come and many more school children benefit from the boats in the coming months.”

Keren Prior, head of education services said: “The three new yachts at Bradwell are part of a wider investment programme across all Essex Outdoors centres which has seen many new activities launch in the past few weeks.

“Outdoor education and activities like sailing can have a profound impact on children’s development and educational attainment so we look forward to our customers enjoying the new yachts.”