Non-profit organization, Bow Sailing (www.bowsailing.com), is based out of the U.S. Virgin Islands and is an outreach program designed to foster life skills and sailing development for the youth in the Caribbean and abroad. Bow Sailing partnered with the Anguilla Youth Sailing School (AYSS) (https://www.anguillayouthsailing.com) and Four Seasons Resort to teach a group of 22 students the week of July 16 through 20. the curriculum teaches mindfulness through meditation, yoga, and tai chi.
Tyler Rice, co-creator and owner of Bow Sailing, was born and raised in St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands and was then recruited to sail for Brown University. Along with his partner, Liz Nurse (certified yoga instructor), they created these interactive camps where they deliver so much more than lessons on the water. During the week, the curriculum taught mindfulness through meditation, yoga and tai chi.
“After watching the impact that these techniques have made on the sailors, we believe these are an integral part of the sailing education for all youth,” stated Rice.
In coordination with The Anguilla Youth Sailing School, an established organization teaching sailing and swimming year round, the camp was able to help many younger sailors who had never sailed before sail their own optimist sailboat. The older sailors used the clinic to improve their mark rounds and other higher level points, as well as finishing the week with a race day. All of the participants learned various breathing and stretching techniques that are applicable to daily life.
This year was a particularly challenging one for the Club as many of their boats and facilities were compromised from Hurricane Irma. Hence BOW Sailing was particularly happy to have the opportunity to support the program. The AYSS is in need of financial support. Anyone wishing to help the organization should reach out to Anette Hibbard at https://www.anguillayouthsailing.com.
In addition to sailing, the children spent half a day at Four Seasons Resort & Residences, and experienced a “career day” where students were introduced to hospitality. They learned that more than 500 people are employed at the luxury resort where jobs vary from engineering to landscaping, culinary and even jobs that involve sailing. Hotel Manager, Billy Cuerto, and many others shared their love of hospitality and the ways a career can take you around the world. Romero, one of the employees at the resort, was a student of AYSS a few years ago. His teacher was the current sailing coach and director of AYSS, Anette Hibbard. He said she was a terrific instructor and instrumental in his desire to teach sailing. He’s now following his passion with a job at the Sea Centre at Four Seasons.
“All in all we had an amazing week in Anguilla and are so grateful to all the groups that supported us with meals, accommodations, and other donations,” stated Rice. “We hope to return again next year and continue to reach more local students at the intersection of sailing and wellness. The more local Caribbean youth that are comfortable with the ocean and sailing, the better for everybody.”
Partners for Bow Sailing include:
• Mango Media
• Anguilla Youth Sailing Club
• Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
• Roys Restaurant
• Veya Restaurant
• Picante Restaurant
• Juni’s Car Rental
• Fruity Web
• Straw Hat,
• All of the other parents and advocates that helped along the way!
All photos and videos from the school were shot by William Torrillo of Mango Media (www.photo.vi). This was his second year supporting Bow Sailing. “I just love helping this organization,” stated Torrillo. “The kids look up to Tyler and Liz and learn great life skills. It makes all the work well worth it.”
