NATIONAL SAILING ACADEMY

The National Sailing Academy - a non-profit organisation formed in 2010 to give all children in Antigua the opportunity to learn swimming and sailing free of charge through a schools programme -  recently took delivery of a 1720 Cork Keelboat.

This was generously donated by Mr. Richard Matthews (former owner of UK Boatbuilder ‘Oyster Marine’) who has been visiting and racing in Antigua for many years.  He was once again very successful in this year’s Antigua Sailing Week, this time on his new Humphries 54, Oystercatcher XXVIII.

The Academy paid the sum of EC $5 for the boat which will be used to train young sailors (aged 10 – 18 years) so they can compete in Antigua and elsewhere in the Caribbean.  Their first competition experience will be in Tortola in July where the team  will represent Antigua in the Premier’s Cup International Youth Regatta.

An opportunity exists for one or more sponsors to have the boat hull and sails carrying the name and logo of their choice.

Mr. Matthews received the EC $5 from Elizabeth Jordan – President of the National Sailing Academy - in the company of Senator Winston Williams representing the Ministry of Sport on the dock in front of Antigua Yacht Club.

In addition , the Academy has found sponsors this season for a fleet of 10 new Laser Pico dinghies as well as having received generous support, again, from the yachting community, with some 70 boats having made donations during the season.

Thanks once again goes out from the National Sailing Academy and all of the students who benefit from the generous donations of Richard Matthews and the many others like him, without whose support the opportunities provided by the Academy would not be possible.

Details of the National Sailing Academy can be found at www.nationalsailingacademy.org.