The Anguilla Youth Sailing Club at Road Bay, Sandy Ground, is taking a giant step from its small boats to obtaining a large yacht to compete in regattas with similar size vessels in the island’s waters.
This was disclosed at a press conference held on Tuesday, February 14, by the President of the Club, Mr. Donald Curtis, and other members. “We have been in existence since 2007 and the Club basically teaches children the art of sailing to ensure that the sailing traditions of Anguilla are continued for future generations,” he explained.
“The children we have here are anywhere from 5 years old, and some of them as much as 17. At that age they go to the next stage which is usually the Anguilla racing boats, or even to university to do sailing programmes in the United States – and also sailing on various yachts around the Caribbean.”
He further said: “We are in the process of building a 34-foot racing yacht on a design which is well proven and durable. It will be built by less skilled workmen and, in this case, it will be the children who will be heavily involved in the construction project. We will be teaching a new skill and giving them opportunities to learn.”
Mr. Curtis said the Sailing Club was pleased to receive financial assistance from the Social Security Board which is very kindly donating the first set of funds to purchase the kit for the yacht.
Mrs. Rosanna Browne-Harrigan, Public Relations Officer, with the Social Security Board, said: “We are proud to be able to contribute to this project. We are well known for community and social development in Anguilla – and although we are a financial institution, as a corporate citizen we have a social responsibility to the development of the Anguilla community.”
She said the Board had happily considered the request of the Sailing Club for assistance and thought that the building of the racing yacht was a very good project. She observed that boat-building and sailing were part of the Anguillian history and must live on. The Social Security Board has undertaken to sponsor the design kit, including the bulkhead for the yacht, in the amount of US$10,500.00. The overall cost of the yacht is US$37,000.00, according to Mr. Curtis who said the Club would welcome further assistance from other donors. The yacht is expected to be built within 6-8 months.
He stated that the biggest supporter of the project was Leeward Islands Boat Services which built a number of boats in Anguilla. “We are very grateful to Social Security and Leeward Island Boat Services. The company’s owner, Mr. Rosmund Romney, was pleased that his nephew, Branson Hodge, and Brian Richardson, two Anguillian boat builders “with a solid track record”, would assist the some ten young sailors to build the yacht.
One of the trainers working with the Sailing Club is Ms. Annette Hibbert, formerly of Antigua.
