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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
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Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - Some six years ago the Grand Bahama Sailing Club, (GBSC) started with its summer camp and approximately 14 sailors. Today it boasts a membership of more than sixty sailors. This coming weekend, the club will host its 1st Annual Wahoo Shootout Fishing Tournament and Adult & Junior Regatta, awarding an array of prizes to participants. Both events are fundraising efforts and proceeds will go towards upcoming trips such as The Boomerang Regatta in January, in Ft Lauderdale, Florida and the Team Race Regatta at the end of February in Texas.
The 1st Annual Wahoo Shootout Fishing Tournament is scheduled to begin at 4:00pm on December 17th. Both adult and kids (members and non-members) can take part in the tournament. The 1st place winner receives $1000, 2nd gets $500 and 3rd $250 along with a membership to the club for a year. To close out the weekend on Sunday, 18th December, is the Adult and Junior Regatta, in which both will compete together for the first time. Qualifications to compete, is simply to be interested and to know how to swim of course. Both members and nonmembers are invited to take part in this fun-filled weekend.
Since its inception, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) has partnered with the GBSC to promote the sport of sailing on Grand Bahama. Director of the GBSC, David Valentine, is excited about future plans to involve the community in this one of a kind program.
The program started in early 2007 as a basic ‘Learn to Sail’ Summer Camp. As time progressed and with generous contributions, such as Sir Jack Hayward offering the beautiful facility of the Sir Charles Hayward Yacht Club to be used, the club evolved. As a result, over sixty kids are now involved and have the opportunity to learn how to sail.
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The club goes by an unwritten policy where any child that wants to sail, can, regardless of financial state. Not only do they provide their members with sailing skills, but they also aid in the development of life skills, such as team work, responsibility and social relationships. Valentine says “This is a sport you fall in love with almost instantaneously as you get on the water. It’s not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle”. He and other committee members are thrilled about the upcoming events leading into the New Year and the wave of progression they hope to be on starting in 2012.
Valentine explains how when many people hear sailing they have the general notion that it’s an expensive sport. Contrary to popular belief, sailing is not as costly as one would believe. At least with the GBSC, that’s not the case. He shares “If monetary means is an issue, the club finds ways through its various faithful sponsors such as GBPA and others to help the kids get on the water and immerse themselves in the sport.”
Starting in January, you can explore the seas for only $250.00 annually for you and your family, with full access to the club and its various amenities. The club is very involved in family and group oriented projects. When it’s time for fundraisers and other events, everyone plays a key role in its success. “Current members can certainly attest to this because, they find a way to make it out every week to practice, events and regattas religiously,” Valentine adds.
The club is a very active and close knit one, but there is always room for more kids and more support. “We’ve completed a number projects recently and are working on various new projects such as our Sunday Brunch, a Free Sailing Program with the Salvation Army, our Summer Sailing Camp Program for children, The Halloween Costume Regatta which occurred a few weeks ago and the Optimist Nationals which Grand Bahama hosted for the first time back in October”. Valentine commented.
Hoping to encourage more participation, Valentine adds “Bahamian Sloop Regattas are absolutely amazing events, but often time it’s just persons standing on the sidelines watching. It’s very rare that people get in a boat and experience the sport for themselves”. He explains how he’s trying to change the overall perception of the sport. He states “Anyone can learn how to sail. Our youngest sailor is 6yrs old and I think people just need to realize that anyone can do it if they’re willing to try something new.”
Registration for the 1st Annual Wahoo Shootout Fishing Tournament and Adult & Junior Regatta starts Friday 16th, December, 2011 from 6:30pm – 10:00pm. Interested persons may contact the Grand Bahama Sailing Club for further details regarding both events.
© Copyright 2011 by thebahamasweekly.com
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