THA raising the sails

With the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) pushing TT $266,000 into their sails, dingy novices are on a good tack. With the THA’s blessing, the Trinidad and Tobago Optimist Dinghy Association (TTODA) has set up the Buccoo Sailing School at the Buccoo beach in the sister isle,  an initiative that envisions  the sport of sailing becoming mainstream by setting up six sailing schools nationwide. The first Buccoo sailing school  was launched two years ago in Chaguaramas.

TTODA President David Lewis said that the communities response have been so overwhelming that the school has already been oversubscribed. He said it was an opportunity for children of TT to interact and understand their  marine environment. Sailing is now being marketed as an “alternative sport that utilises one of the island’s main natural treasures” and which target its numerous coastal communities, he noted. Although the school was opened without much publicity in  early March to “feel out the response” there has so far been over 100 applicants, 45 of whom have been enrolled in this first phase.

The institution caters for all children age 7-15 years old. They are only required to pay a “small fee” to maintain their stay and the boats. Lewis said that the school’s 13 boats has to be rotated every 90 minutes to accomodate the  students; at least 30 is needed. The dingy association, said Lewis,  is soliciting the sponsorship of local businesses to assist with purchasing more boats as well as help cover other operational costs.  While the THA have given $266, 000 other  companies including  Angostura, Tobago Services Ltd and Tracmac Engineering have come forward to help. Lewis  said there was no intention of  turning the initiative into a profit-making venture.

But  more sponsors are needed, said Lewis, noting that it will cost approximately $300,000 annually to effectively run the school. Another bump in the operation is finding a home for the dingy lovers, said the school’s co-ordinator, Helen Batache. The students are currently utilising the Buccoo beach facilities. The school has since received permission from the THA to erect a temporary structure on the premises.  The only criteria for entrance to the school is that students be good swimmers, and  those who aren’t, are taught on site by the coaches.

The children are not only taught the art of sailing but, as Lewis explained, leadership, self- confidence, navigation, decision making and competitive racing as well. In this light, Peruvian coach Fernando Alegre and his assistant coaches, Daniel Barcant and Albert Hankanson are currently training eight people, including three women, for the upcoming North American Optimist Championship to be held in Pigeon Point in June. Twenty two countries are expected to participate in the week-long event which kicks off at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet.

The group recently completed an Easter Sailing clinic where they competed against their more experienced counterparts from Trinidad to familiarise themselves with the racing techniques. “It is a big initiative in such a small space of time and no doubt it is expensive but it is our commitment to the THA and I am sure that it will be rewarding in the end.” Lewis said. Director of Sports in the THA, Theophilus Trim, said the THA intends to open other branches throughout Tobago but that  depends on the demand.