The Anguilla Youth Sailing Club had six new reasons to celebrate on Friday 10th April 2026, as they officially christened a new fleet of boats — marking a significant step forward for youth development on the island.
The ceremony represented years of persistence, fundraising, and community support finally coming to fruition. The club welcomed four newly donated boats into its fleet, with additional vessels acquired through sustained efforts, bringing the total number to six.
Head instructor and president Kendal ‘Kenny’ Richardson spoke candidly with Lloyd’s Live about the journey leading up to the moment. “Since I came to the sailing school back in 2019, we’ve always been using old boats. So the fact that we’ve finally been able to replace our fleet that were over 15 years old — it’s quite the achievement,” he said.
For Richardson, the impact is both professional and deeply personal. “Every day I see them, I get the same exact feeling as the first day we got them. So, it’s definitely good,” he added, reflecting the pride shared among instructors, students, and supporters alike.
The ceremony followed a longstanding maritime tradition, with each vessel blessed before touching the water. Reverend Wilmoth Hodge led the proceedings, offering prayers for protection, growth, and opportunity. He commended the initiative as a meaningful investment in Anguilla’s youth.
“I would hope and trust that as many young people as possible who are interested in sailing will make themselves available to be trained,” Reverend Hodge said. “It is an opportunity for them to develop their skills and their talents and go beyond our shores in representing our island.”
In prayer, he asked for divine guidance over the programme and its participants, blessing the boats with anointing oil as a symbol of safety and purpose.
The acquisition of the fleet did not come cheaply. Each boat carries a price tag exceeding US$12,000, a reality Richardson did not shy away from highlighting. “It’s been years of fundraising and trying to acquire the funds to purchase these boats,” he explained. “So, to buy six of them, we’re definitely proud of the moment and proud to have everybody here to witness this event with us.”
Key contributors were acknowledged, including Republic Bank, Straw Hat Restaurant, Brigid Arcand, and a number of individual donors. A celebratory toast followed the formalities, bringing together supporters, students, and community members in a shared sense of accomplishment.
Yet even amid the celebration, Richardson pointed to the challenges that remain. The club currently operates on government land without a formal lease, leaving its future base uncertain. “We’re basically squatting,” he said plainly, while expressing hope that a more permanent and suitable location can soon be secured.
Such a space, he explained, would allow the club to expand meaningfully, offering sheltered areas for instruction, a stronger sense of community for young sailors, and room to grow the fleet further.
Looking ahead, the AYSC continues to pursue its agenda for 2026. Central to its mission is youth empowerment, alongside plans to integrate sailing into the Department of Education’s curriculum, recruit additional instructors, establish a sustainable income stream, and ultimately secure a permanent home.
With sails newly raised, the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club is charting a course that extends far beyond the waters of Sandy Ground — one that promises opportunity, discipline, and pride for the island’s next generation.
By Janissa Fleming
