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First School at ABYC for 2008

Posted 3 months, 7 days ago

First School at ABYC for 2008
First School at ABYC On Thursday the 23rd May 65 Grade 7 pupils from the Siyaphambili Primary School, Motherwell descended on the Algoa Bay Yacht Club for their first introduction to sailing. For many of these pupils it was there very first time in the harbour precincts and for all the very first time that they would see dinghies and yachts up close. After an introduction to safety procedures and the art of tying a lifejacket on, ABYC Sailing Coach Kabelo Koyana, demonstrated how to rig the two dinghies that 20 lucky pupils would get a chance to sail on. The introduction of the children to certain sailing terms was a riot as 65 pupils earnestly chanted words such as "starboard", "downhaul", "sprit" and "rudder". Most entertaining it was, to listen to these pupils hungry for knowledge earnestly trying to remember all the parts of the boat and the necessary theory to equip them for the very first time that they would sail by themselves. Siyaphambili Primary School Geography teacher, Thobile Mkwelo, remarked that the exposure his pupils were receiving would assist in his Geography lessons as they would be able to apply real world experience to the Geography curriculum. 20 Eager pupils stripped off into 'sailing gear' and lined up to take their turns at sailing within the confined sail training area. Two at a time were sent out in the club supplied O9'er dinghies and given gentle instruction by Kabelo on the shore. I must say that the girls beat the boys with regards to concentration and the ability to follow instructions. Some of the boys were under the impression that hiding under the rudder was a 40 horsepower outboard motor and all they had to do to start it was violently wrench the tiller arm port and starboard............... The pupils were then taken on a tour of the yachts in the marina. 15 Pupils were chosen to be the lucky scholars to attend an eight week sail training course which, if successfully completed, will equip them with an internationally recognised Level One Sailing Certificate. Full Story »

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