| August 10, 2021 – Simpson Bay Lagoon, Sint Maarten – On 14 and 15 August instructors and sailors from the Sint Maarten Yacht Club will be sailing around the island in RS Quests, 14ft sailing dinghies used for sailing lessons. This is a challenging endeavor which will be completed in 2 days, allowing for a stop halfway to continue the following day. Former students of the SMYC pitched the idea as they are leaving to study abroad. This would be the ultimate challenge to end their Sint Maarten sailing experience. They are hoping to raise enough funds to allow for a local child to be introduced to sailing and experience lessons for an entire season. On Saturday morning two boats will depart through the 8:30 bridge to start day 1. “We will start heading west going past Simpson Bay, Marigot and Grand Case to end at Pinel before sunset. If the conditions are favorable we could probable get further, however we prefer to do this in a safe manner and overnight halfway and start day 2 well rested before continuing on Sunday.” Explains SMYC instructor Sam Peeks. The boats will sail past Orient Bay, Oyster Pond and Philipsburg before sailing back into Simpson Bay, finishing through the Simpson Bay bridge Sunday at 5PM. People are welcomed at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club to cheer on the sailors undertaking this challenge. Donations can be made then or when the boats return on Sunday at 5pm. Currently the SMYC is hosting 6 individually sponsored children in its sailing program and also offers free lessons to 12 students of a Primary School on a weekly basis for the duration of the season. Sailing stimulates local youngsters to become part of the sailing community, teaching them life skills such as team work, perseverance and confidence. Your contribution will allow these initiatives to further grow and develop. |
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| For more information about the sailing program check out www.smyc.com. To learn more about this event or sponsoring a child, contact manager@smyc.com. Sint Maarten Yacht Club Established in 1980 with the goal to promote sailing on the island of St Maarten. It organizes multiple sailing events throughout the year, with the St Maarten Heineken Regatta as its crown jewel. A youth sailing program stimulates local youngsters to become part of the sailing community, teaching them life skills like team work, perseverance and confidence. Always looking to further develop sailing on St Maarten, the Club is active in promoting the sport, as well as the beautiful destination where it is located. For more information visit www.smyc.com |
