The only way to preserve a nation’s culture is through education. Whether it is in the schools, through community outreach programs or even in the homes of the people. In order for a tradition to continue, children must be made aware of the value and purpose of the custom. Although cricket, football and tennis are popular in Anguilla, sailing is still considered the national sport. Sailing competitions, regattas or boat races bring the community together and people come out in large numbers to lyme and enjoy the craftsmanship and skill of the sailors.

As far as I know, there is no major curriculum in the schools that cover the art of sailing. There may be classes in which teachers stress the importance of the sailing sport to the Anguillan community as that method of transportation was paramount in earlier times and it occupied a great deal of time in the lives of the ordinary man. The topic of this edition of Celebration of Youth concentrates on a great initiative being taken on by the Anguilla Sailing Association. According to its website, “The mission of the Anguilla Sailing Association (ASA) is to be the premier organization for sailing and sailing activities in Anguilla and to include everyone who is interested in the fun, challenge and competition of sailing and boat racing. The Association wants to allow people to experience sailing through a hands-on approach and tie this experience in with the history and traditions of sailing in the Anguillian culture.”
Currently, as part of the many functions of the sailing association, the recently established Anguilla Youth Sailing Club is stepping up to the plate to ensure that children remain interested and devoted to preserving the national pastime of Anguilla. The AYSC conducts basic courses in boat handling and maintenance, seamanship, life-saving and first aid. The courses take place on the beach at Sandy Ground near the Pumphouse Restaurant. The AYSC clubhouse serves as a classroom, but also a place for the youth members of the club to hang out and talk about sailing and racing. The Director, Ian Brunswick, says, “the club is able to accomplish so much because of the support of the youth members and community members. They’re really the ones who are making the AYSC an Anguillian success.”
This Saturday, from Sandy Ground or Back Street, or even North Hill, you may see what looks like a miniature boat race happening in Road Bay. The little boats are “Optimists,” the most popular youth sailing boat worldwide. The little sailors are students from Road School, Campus B and from other schools across Anguilla who have been learning more and more about sailing with the AYSC. This Saturday, the 10th, they are looking for your support as they will be racing in the morning and afternoon against other youth sailors from Sint Maarten. I encourage everyone to pay them a visit and wish them good luck, and commend the new generation for keeping up the boat race tradition in Anguilla.
For further information about the AYSC, call 584-SAIL or visit its website at www.sailanguilla.com

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News