Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

St.Maarten youth enjoy the sport of sailing

by St.Maarten Heineken Regatta on 24 Dec 2013
Youth sailing St. Maarten Heineken Regatta http://www.heinekenregatta.com
With sailing events as big as the St.Maarten Heineken Regatta, the question is often asked, who benefits from the event? The obvious answers like hotels, car rentals and restaurants can easily be given, but many do not realize that the St.Maarten youth are also on the long list of benefactors of the event. For several years now, many regatta competitors have chosen to make a donation to the youth sailing program while paying their entry fees. These donations have been used to provide sailing lessons to the local youth and new sailors have taken part in the program allowing them to be able to enjoy learning about the sport of sailing at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club.

The Sint Maarten Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program has been actively teaching children to sail for over 20 years, starting out with limited boats and equipment, they have now expanded to offer lessons to more than 60 children a week and have branched out to include adult lessons within the program.

Children in the program have the opportunity to sail Optimists, a single handed sailing dinghy, as well as Lasers, which may be sailed by either one or two people. Several years ago the Yacht Club increased their fleet of boats to also include RS Visions. These new boats are very stable and allow plenty of room for two sailors and an instructor, and offer spinnaker practice as well. With the variety of boats available the instructors are able to cater to the range of skills that the children possess.

Sailing instructor, Maaike Van Mameren, mentioned that 'The children really enjoy sailing! We are trying to change people's misconception that this is an elite sport, and when speaking with the parents I try to explain what the yacht club and the youth sailing program is about, hopefully changing their opinions about the sport'

In addition to the St.Maarten Heineken Regatta sponsoring children for the sailing program, the Yacht Club works closely with the St.Maarten Marine Trade Association (SMMTA) who also work hard to place kids into the sailing program, with the aim of bridging the gap between the Marine Industry and the islands local community. The SMMTA has also committed to sponsoring several children throughout the year allowing more children to experience sailing, keeping them on the water and out of trouble.

If you or your team would like to donate to the youth sailing program you can do so while entering for the 2014 St.Maarten Heineken Regatta. When paying your entry fee online you can choose to make a donation and opt for the amount you would like to give. This will be added to your total entry fee and can be paid together. If you are interested in sailing lessons or know a child that would enjoy learning to sail please contact the sailing instructors at youthsailingsmyc@gmail.com for more information.

For over three decades, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has showcased the top boats and sailing has become equally famous for its world-class slate of parties and musical entertainment in the Caribbean. Now recognized by sailors around the planet as one of the sailing world's best regattas, each year the event lives up to its worthy motto: Serious Regatta website

Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignAllen Dynamic 40 FooterCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER

Related Articles

WASZP Games 2025 overall
Perfect conditions for the final day showdown The final day of the WASZP Games 2025 delivered everything you could want in a championship showdown—tight racing, pressure starts, tactical battles, and decisive performances. With the Gold Fleet behind on their race schedule, the priority was clear.
Posted today at 5:04 am
Rolex Fastnet: Steady conditions expected
Competitiors are expected to start in a 12-14kt Westerly and assisted by the easterly tide. Predictwind's metrologist Arnaud Monges expects the Rolex Fastnet Race to get underway in a 12-14kts WSW breeze, with a building current from an easterly direction. Using weather routing we have predicted finish times for the Ultims and AC25 yachts.
Posted today at 1:05 am
Rolex Fastnet Race/Admirals' Cup: Big questions
"So far we've under performed as a boat in the Admirals' Cup. We're looking to put that right." The defending Rolex Fastnet champion, Caro (NZL) faces some big questions given their performances to date in the Admirals' Cup. However the Botin 52 has a reputation for scoring strongly in longer offshore racing - will they repeat in 2205?
Posted on 25 Jul
Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race start tomorrow
Coundown to blast off for the 444 yachts entered For the 444 yachts entered in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's centennial Rolex Fastnet Race all eyes remain on the weather going into the last hours before the start tomorrow (Saturday 26 July).
Posted on 25 Jul
Canada's entry into the iconic Rolex Fastnet Race
Team Be Water Positive returns to settle unfinished business Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive will line up this weekend for the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the most iconic offshore races in the world.
Posted on 25 Jul
Register now for the Rolex Big Boat Series
Fees will increase by $275 after July 31 Registration fees for the 61st Rolex Big Boat Series hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club from September 10-14, 2025, will increase by $275 after July 31, 2025.
Posted on 25 Jul
U.S. Launch of Switch One Design Foiling Dinghy
Melges will oversee national sales, support, and class growth Melges is proud to announce the official U.S. launch of the Switch One Design, a cutting-edge foiling dinghy that's redefining accessibility and performance in high-speed sailing.
Posted on 25 Jul
Snipe Women's World Championship day 2
The breeze started to build up earlier in the hot morning temperature As predicted, the temperatures were very hot the morning of the second day and the breeze started to build up earlier than day one. The first race, a windward/leeward course, began at 11 am in 15-17 knots and increasing chop.
Posted on 25 Jul
Independence Cup Preview
Takes place off Burnham Harbor this weekend Dozens of sailors with physical limitations from all over the world will compete this weekend in the Independence Cup race at Burnham Harbor from July 24-27.
Posted on 25 Jul
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 7
Sarah-Quita Offringa survives Super Final scare to earn 16th Freestyle world title Sarah-Quita Offringa survives Super Final scare to earn 16th Freestyle world title and 27th overall, while Yentel Caers powers to victory in Men's.
Posted on 25 Jul