GOOD
FELLOWS: Hout Bay Yacht Club development trainees, from left, Mark Johnson,
Junior Daniels, Evan Yon , Lorenzo Yon, Quaid Adonis and trainer, Theo Yon,
welcome the two new additions to the fleet donated by Roger Orpen on Jolly
Roger and Robin Parker with Jolly Parker. Picture by Kayla Parker.
HBYC Press Release (thanks also to Robin Parker)
Youth Development Sailing at Hout Bay’s
yacht club has received a major boost with the donation of two new sail
training vessels from club members.
Former commodore, Robin Parker, donated a
new 09’er (a base training dinghy) to the sail training school as the winner of
a club draw for the boat aimed at boosting the fleet and providing additional
money for additional purchases. Likewise, long-serving member, Roger Orpen,
paid for the acquisition of another craft. They have been aptly named Jolly
Parker and Jolly Roger and have already had their keels wet.
The two new donations brought the existing
fleet of the youth development training initiative to 7 with a plan to acquire
more complex Laser Pico’s for advanced training before crews take to the highly
competitive environment aboard the Jewish Maritime League’s L26 Class “JML 3”,
which recently performed exceedingly well at the Lipton Challenge Cup for L26’s,
held in False Bay.
While the Laser Pico’s will provide much
welcome relief from the demand to join the initiative under Sam Leggatt and
award winning skipper, Theo Yon, himself a product of the youth development scheme,
it will still not be enough to satisfy the curiosity of at least another 8
youngsters from Hout Bay who crowd the quayside on training days hoping for
their turn on the water.
Vice commodore, Jeremy Nel, who pioneered
the latest round of advancements in youth development, by successfully
encouraging the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund to donate a sizeable
sum to create better facilities at the club, says: “It is a wonderful gesture
of behalf of Robin and Roger and we would sincerely hope others will follow
with similar classes or other capable vessels to ensure this effort gains
momentum. Sailing is a wonderful educational tool, teaching discipline and
respect, particular in an environment where in many areas social cohesion has
deteriorated.”
Nel hopes to soon see Laser Pico’s on the
water followed by larger, more complex Lasers 4.7’s, or RSA Tera’s to fulfil a growing need among the Valley’s
youth for a chance to develop a sailing future.
So far this year the club has held several
events designed to raise funds for development including a highly successful
auction. More are planned in the future along with quayside developments to
make access to the water easier.
Should you wish for your child to
participate in this programme, please call the Hout Bay Yacht Club on 021-790
3110 in order that we may assist in their growth and education on the water.
