A number of Anguillian youngsters were in the British Virgin Islands last weekend participating in a Kids of the Sea sailing event organised by the Tortola Rotary Club. The event is also called the Chief Minister’s Cup.

The young sailors with Preston Bryan, Seymour Hodge, Oliver Brooks and Harris Richardson

Harris Richardson, a racing boat operator in Anguilla, said it is an annual pastime and involves almost all Rotary Clubs in the region. He explained that the aim is to interact with the region’s children in a sport they all love. It is an opportunity for the youngsters to learn to sail J24s, a small partially closed up and well-equipped yacht.

Mr. Richardson is the team leader. Oliver Brooks, another racing boat owner in Anguilla, is the coach. Of the six young sailors, the captain, Justin Hodge, Jorani Gumbs and Ericiano sail on the Eagle, Omari Hamilton and Kadeen Joseph, on the Lady Maude and Derrick Carty, on the Warrior.

The visit to Tortola was organised on behalf of the Rotary Club by Seymour Hodge, a noted youth worker. “I have been involved with youngsters in youth programmes in New York for 25 years or more,” he told The Anguillian. “That’s a passion that I have helping youngsters to achieve their goals.”

Managing Director of the Caribbean Commercial Bank, Preston Bryan, said CCB provided some funds to assist the young racers in purchasing t-shirts for the event and to meet other expenses.

He said the Rotary Club had approached the bank saying the event was an opportunity for the youngsters to practice their skills and learn the art of boat-racing, which is a national sport of Anguilla.

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