TOG Regatta 2009- 'These kids are the future'

by TOTG Event Media on 6 May 2009 As the Top of the Gulf International Regatta draws to a close, organisers, participants and sponsors begin to reflect on the fifth sailing, weighing up its successes and identifying areas to develop further for next year.

The one lesson that has been taught to all by this regatta is the need to encourage and foster youth sailing. As regatta Chairman, Bill Gasson said at the beginning of the regatta, 'These kids are the future. Who knows, maybe one day they´ll own a 70 or 80 foot yacht.'

So true that is.

Youth sailing is well supported in the Gulf of Thailand. With the facilities at Ocean Marina Yacht Club and the nearby Royal Varuna Yacht Club, plus the Navy base in Sattahip, everything from Optimists, to Lasers, 420s, 49ers, CII Bytes and Hobies are available for youngsters to sail.

The youngest start in Optimists, and 91 have competed for the Thailand National Optimist Cup over the last few days at the Top of the Gulf International Regatta. A sight to behold, these youngsters hose down and prepare their craft, launch them and sail single-handedly around an inshore course under professional race management.

They are indeed the future of the sport in Thailand, and on the water, age nor sex matters as all 91 are equal, challenging hard for the top places.

The 2009 Thailand National Optimist Cup overall winner was a Noppakao Poonpat, a 14-year old girl who lead the series from start to finish scoring four firsts and three seconds. She also took the crown in the Female division. She was pushed all the way by 12-year old Thacharin Narboone who sailed consistently to score one first and four seconds in the nine race series and take second place overall, and first in the Under-12 divison also.

After a poor start in the first race, 11-year old Jongkol Channart turned in consistent top ten placings throughout the series to take third overall, second in the Female division and second in the Under-12 division.

The facilities at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, and support from Royal Varuna Yacht Club, Sattahip Naval Base and the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT), have ensured a great championship for these junior Optimist sailors, and they will take away fond memories to tell their friends.

What’s next for these budding sailing stars?
The infrastructure on Thailand´s Gulf is the best in the Kingdom. Grassroots, private-sector youth sailing programs in Samui and Phuket have been launched in recent years, and Singapore have a national sailing association investing heavily in youth sailing. Maybe now is a good time to see nationwide support from authorities such as YRAT to encourage youth sailing throughout Thailand and bring kids together for an annual youth sailing championship.

Thailand´s Damrongsak Vongtim is number nine in the world for the Hobie Class. The next Damrongsak´s are out there somewhere, and the need grooming now.