JUNIOR SAILING UPDATE:
NOVEMBER 11 2007

Last weekend's Optimist clinic was hosted by Mermaid Resort at Banrak and with the fine break in the weather a record 28 kids showed.

Together with the sailing they enjoyed the swimming pool and full use of the kayaks and four families elected to rent a bungalow and stay overnight at the resort.

Sunday a course was set where the boats sailed a 500 m. reach to a mark and returned. By now, they all know the wooden Opti is heavier and slower, so to encourage them to sail this boat, they were given a 30 second start.

This made for good racing and some exciting finishes and they sailed well into the late afternoon with the Czech kids, Mina, Natalie, Martin and Max showing the most improved form. Future stars also are Shaykayla and the 8 year old Thai boy Kartoon, who was soloing after just one sail two up.

Packing and transporting the boats back to Tradewinds has now been made so much easier with the generous offer of a large six wheel truck and crew by Kevin Fahey and his company International Project Services (Asia) Ltd.

A meeting will be held Tuesday to discuss the purchase of a chase boat to further ensure the childrens coaching and safety.

Optimist Brochure - Click for large version in new window

JUNIOR SAILING UPDATE:
OCTOBER 29 2007

A rare break in the weather appeared early Sunday and the message went out " Today we are on ".

As last weeks onshore surf had disappeared, it was decided to run the boats off Tradewinds Resort in Chaweng, so all three boats were set up and eight children showed up with their parents.

As the wind was a steady 12 knots with gusts, each boat sailed two up, with the third boat crewed with the remaining three sailors and sailed a series of windward/leewards in the first session.

After the break the buoy was set out to sea and this was repeated and then another series sailing solo. The gusts produced some near capsizes, but the kids showed what they had learned and quickly had the mainsheet off, bringing their boats back under control.

Showing much improved skills were the two 11 year old girls Pim and Mai.

With storm clouds brewing, everyone repaired to the restaurant, where the FIRST raffle was drawn and the results were;

• 1st prize Dinner for two at Santiburi Resort:- Sawang Optical and their son Pun Pun

• 2nd prize Dinner for two at Sila Evason Resort:- Dr. Apirat and daughter Nong Jam

• 3rd prize Dinner for two at Dr. Frogs:- Lee Haines and daughter Erin

• 4th prize Dinner for two at Aiia Baia Italian Restaurant:- Mike Holly and sponsored boy Nong Bier

The first raffle raised Baht 8,600 and will be going toward purchasing a two man rescue Kayak.

JUNIOR SAILING UPDATE:
OCTOBER 01 2007

Six new applicants were paired off with the three most experienced skippers, Amanda, Bier and Petch where they sailed a series of races in the protected lagoon, using the moored speedboats as marks for the course.

The Optimists were easily transported, two to a pickup truck and in future plans are to conduct weekend junior sailing to various locations around the island where the sailors can be assured of year round sailing while exploring Koh Samui's many bays and beaches.

Many thanks to Rocky's Resort for the use of their resort tour boat.