The Tribune

A flurry of sailing activity, spearheaded by Eleazor "The Sailing Barber" Johnson and the Bahamas Sloop Association, is set for February 18 in the Montagu foreshore. Junior sailors in the Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA) will be on parade with the "big boys", showing off their sailing skills. These are children from the ages of eight to 15 who come from a variety of social backgrounds with just one thing in mind - sailing. "The youngsters will be racing around a very short but fun course close to the Montagu Beach shore," said sailing coach Robert Dunkley. "The event promises to be interesting and fun for spectators to view and helps bring awareness to the fact that their kids could be out there on the water taking part in the racing. " The beginner fleet, known as the Green Fleet, is slated to race in the morning with the more advanced Silver and Gold Fleets in the afternoon. "Three of our sailors who have earned the right to represent the Bahamas at the Optimist World Championships in the Dominican Republic later this year will be on Montagu Bay showing off their skills," said Dunkley. Spencer Cartwright, Paul de Souza and Alande Forbes, all aged 12, are expected to participate with over 200 other sailors from around the world. "They are training hard and sailing well," said Dunkley, who added that both events helped to showcase the sailing talent at the junior level in the Bahamas under the guidance and support of BSA. "We hope there will be a great turn-out for people cheering for the juniors as they test their mettle against the big guys in native sloops."