On annual basis, we ensure that any young sailors with an interest and exhibiting competency in developing their teaching skills are given the opportunity to train towards their dinghy instructor course.

Over the last year, we have supported

• 9 instructors achieving Power Boat 2 Courses
• 9 students achieving First Aid Courses
• 7 students passing the Safe and Fun Course required as part of the qualifications to ensure an understanding of the importance of safeguarding in an organisation where students under 18 are taught
• 4 students passed their Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Dinghy Instructor Course in full and so can now teach RYA Learn to Sail Courses. 3 others are also well on their way to completion of the course.

Congratulations to T’Quan James, Shanae Jervier, Kywain Graham and Tyson Robinson who passed all courses with flying colours.

We would like to thank the Mill Reef Foundation who have funded the entire training programme ensuring that not only are we giving the Antiguan youths the opportunity to develop their careers in the yachting industry but that we have instructors to teach other Antiguan school children to sail.

In addition we would like to thank Ondeck Antigua for their support in Power Boat and First Aid Training, RYA Trainers Tim Cross and Tony Wood and last but certainly not least, our Chief Instructor Sylvester Thomas, for the many hours of mentoring and training to prepare the youths for the programme.

TEAM DEVELOPMENT

We took the opportunity to include team development with our current team of 7 instructors while the RYA was in Antigua. We enjoyed time out with our full team of instructors focussing on the different elements of their roles: the school's learn to sail programme, sailability, race training and discussion about how we can continue to develop our students with the growing class numbers we now have. Thank you to Tim and Tony for their inspiration and support. We are excited about the further development of the team and all of the programmes they are responsible for.

Where are they Now?

We love to keep up to date with where our past students are in their yachting careers, so here is a quick rundown:

Jules Mitchell - best known in recent years as the skipper of Cork 1720 programme Spirit, Jules has continued to develop his team-building skills and performance of Spirit over the last few years. This has finally paid off with him stepping into a new role this month as Skipper of Pamala Baldwin’s yacht Liquid. The liquid will race the Caribbean Circuit starting with the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta and then move on to the BVI Spring Regatta, Les Voiles des St. Barths and ending back in Antigua for Antigua Sailing Week We wish him, Pamala and their crew well on the circuit this season.

Junella King - Over a year ago Junella was recruited as crew member on the new world tour for the Maiden Factor, Tracy Edwards yacht sailing the world with the purpose of educating & inspiring young women into STEM subjects. Junella has taken a couple of breaks from the boat, one to be part of the Star Sailors League Team representing Antigua (along with Jules and other youths) and the current break to join the 69F campaign with Rocco Falcone. Her journey continues and we look forward to hearing the next installment.

Hassani Joseph who qualified last year as part of the RYA Dinghy Programme, is now working as dockmaster at the Jolly Harbour Marina.

Terriqua Christopher - A student from the NSA is currently training as part of an Atlantic rowing campaign. The team are joining The Dash - a new Atlantic Row which will leave the Canary Islands next January and row back to Jolly Harbour, Antigua. The team is looking for one more crew member, scroll down for details on this opportunity.

We wish them all well in their future endeavours.