An exciting development for the National Sailing Academy is the opening of its new facility at Jolly Harbour Marina. Thanks to the support of C.D.A.L. and the Jolly Harbour Marina, an area has been designated for storage of boats and equipment and a ramp has been built to launch the sailing dinghies.
The opening ceremony was attended by Her Excellency, Dame Louise Lake- Tack, the Governor General who is Patron of the Academy. Also in attendance were Ministers Hilson Baptiste( in whose constituency Jolly Harbour lies), and Senator Winston Williams, Minister of Sport as well as the Director of Sports, Mr. Mervyn Richards.
After a brief reception, the first students for this branch of the Academy arrived from St. Mary’s Secondary School at Bolans. They were introduced to the Instructors, led by the Senior Instructor Sylvester Thomas, and given a safety briefing. They were then taken out on the water for their first sailing experience.
A couple of other students from St.Mary’s – who are already learning to sail – joined them on the water in Optimist dinghies to show how they can progress to sailing single handed.
It is hoped to get 10 schools onto the programme in due course, and reach a goal of 150 children a week learning to sail at this facility. The Academy will also offer private lesson to individuals and groups which will help to financially support the free lessons for the Antiguan schoolchildren.
Please contact the Academy for further information:
Tel: 562 8060 or 464 2645
Email: info@nationalsailingacademy.org
www.nationalsailingacademy.org
