Optimist Launch Party & Beach BBQ

by Kathleen Gooch on 19 Jan 2011 Phuket Youth Sailing Squadron: Optimist Launch Party & Beach BBQ
Sunday 30th January 2011, 12:00 hrs – 16:00 hrs

Phuket Youth Sailing Squadron is celebrating the arrival of 12 new Optimist dinghies from China, giving us a fleet of 15 boats. We now have 15 children from Phuket Sunshine Village Home in our race training programme. The new boats mean that the sailors can compete and practice at the same time and have a chance to hone skills and be more competitive at events.

We would like to invite you to join us for our Beach BBQ and help us launch our new Optimist boats. Topper Sail Phuket are also making available (free!) their four new Topper Race boats and Topaz dinghies - if you can already sail, come and try out the boats.

A big 'thank you' to all our sponsors and helpers: without your support we would not be able to offer this sailing programme to underprivileged children.

Volunteers Needed
With more boats and more sailors on the water, the Squadron is looking for volunteers to help with the training programme and support on the water. If you are interested, please contact Katy, or come along on and join us for lunch - a great opportunity to meet the Squadron.

The Phuket Youth Sailing Squadron is a non-profit organization. The objectives of the Squadron are as follows:
1. To give local and underprivileged children the opportunity to learn sailing.
2. To build athletes and to promote racing in provincial, regional, national and international levels.
3. To promote and publicize the sport of sailing to encourage youths and others to participate in the sport.

Sailing has many benefits for all those who take part, but it is not often accessible to disadvantaged children. By providing these children with free sail training we can give them the same opportunity as others and a chance to gain these important life-long skills.

Sailing provides the opportunity to build self-confidence and self esteem, to realize their hidden talents, and conquer fears and doubts whilst having fun and making new friends.

The sport of sailing can be life changing. It is a sport where you learn to plan ahead, analyse different situations, and have to make swift decisions. These are important skills that can be adapted and used in future life and work.

Please RSVP if you are planning to come - Katy Gooch, ktfirmin@yahoo.co.uk