The Tribune

THE Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture, Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and the Bahamas Sailing Association are pleased to announce the launch of the 11th Annual Summer Sailing Camp.

This year over 50 applicants from 10 government schools will be participating in the Bahamas National Sailing School (Bahamas Sailing Association), headed by Robert Dunkley, which offers a free camp to government students between the ages of eight and 18 years. 

The Summer Camp comprises of three, two-week sessions, Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm.

Each student is assigned a boat, provided with a life jacket, lunch and will be taught lifelong Opti and Sunfish sailing skills and techniques. 

Upon completion students participating in the camp will be able to continue throughout the year in the Bahamas Sailing Association’s Saturday sailing sessions. They will also be given the opportunity to compete in the sailing regattas and possibly represent The Bahamas at an international event.

Evon Wisdom, sports administrator, is pleased to have formed this partnership.  Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Jerome Fitzgerald, noted that they will make a presentation to the Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally he stated that this effort is in sync with the swimming programme offered by the Sports Unit and wishes to actively involve students to join the sailing camp.

Dunkley, director of the Bahamas Sailing Association, thanked the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government for partnering with them in this venture.

He also thanked coach Johnson for voluntarily recruiting students throughout the government schools for the past three years.

Additionally, he acknowledged sponsors KPMG, Cable Cares, Subway and Boat for a Day, the Kelly, Cooke, Symonette and the Sir Durward Knowles family for their contributions on making this camp successful.

Renee Glinton, permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources & Local Government, thanked Dunkley and Wisdom for their support, She added that she is pleased with the success of the Youth regatta held in Exuma in April of this year, where 101 students from throughout the Bahamas participated.

She further stated that the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Science and Local Government would be presenting $8,000 to each sailing club participating in the Youth regatta.

Glinton declared that there is “nothing too good for our Bahamian children” and it is her hope that these programmes will develop future Olympians in the sport of sailing.