By the end of the KATS small dinghy sailing program, which focused on how to correctly rig and sail “Laser 4.7's each and every boat was following the other on reaches, up and down wind.

The Kids And The Sea (KATS) graduating Class at the end of the 12 week course, which focused on how to correctly rig and sail “Laser 4.7” boats and ten students successfully completed the training. The Kids And The Sea (KATS) graduating Class at the end of the 12 week course, which focused on how to correctly rig and sail “Laser 4.7” boats and ten students successfully completed the training.

According to the Director of KATS, David Romasco, the students were complete novices at the start but “by the last day, each and every boat was following the other on reaches, up and down wind. It was a great team effort and I am excited for these students and all the opportunities they will now have by completing this first step in sailing.”

The next sailing programme will start on March 9, 2012 as collaboration between KATS and the Royal BVI Yacht Club. The objective of this recently created programme is to develop a competitive IC24 team for the 14th Annual Premier’s Cup that will be held this July 13 – 15.

The entire 20 week IC24 programme will be free for KATS graduates, between the ages of 11 and 17, in hope of creating a competitive team selection. There are 18 slots, to train and sail on three IC24’s.

As KATS Executive Director, Chris Ghiorse explained. “There are hundreds of students that are eligible, but first we need to get them out there sailing.”

He also hoped that the organization ends up being faced with a selection dilemma with too many kids ending up in consideration for the team that will represent the Territory in this year’s event. ”We live in the charter sailing capital of the world; at the very least the students signing up for this programme will have a great and valuable skill for when they reach the job market,” he stated.

The Premier’s Cup is the largest IC24 youth team sailing event in the Caribbean and is the KATS organization’s biggest fundraising opportunity. Nanny Cay Resort and Marina and Digicel’s platinum sponsorship and numerous local sponsors enable the entire KATS programme to operate smoothly throughout the year.

This new IC24 programme will provide KATS and all of its sponsors with an opportunity to shine even brighter on an international stage, but additional support is needed to become as successful and sustainable as the rest of the KATS programmes.

If you have a son or daughter that is between the ages of 11- 17 and a former KATS graduate please contact: Chris at 346-5287, or by email at ghiorse@surfbvi.com.