Following on from a hugely successful opening session, children in the Pietermaritzburg area are once again being encouraged to try their hand at sailing.
South African Sailing is teaming up with the KZN Department of Sports and Recreation to offer one more open day to be hosted at the Henley Midmar Yacht Club on August 31.
This free session will give youngsters, who may never have had the opportunity to step foot on a boat before, the chance to experience the thrill of being out on the water while learning important sailing skills.
Organisers have said the session, which will take place at Midmar dam from 10am (and will be run in two-hour slots until 4pm) is targeted chiefly at children between the ages of eight and 11, but is open to anyone interested. No experience or qualification is necessary and life jackets will be issued to all participants on the day.
"We had over 30 participants in the first of our open days on the 17th, which was fantastic," said one of the organisers, Derek Wilkes. "The kids had a wonderful time on the water, learning some basic sailing skills and just having a lot of fun. "The whole purpose of these days is that we are starting a full time sailing school for those who want to learn to sail in the KZN Midlands and further afield for those that are prepared to travel," added Wilkes.
"The idea is that once the students have completed the training course they will be offered training berths on Henley Midmar Yacht Club members' boats in order to put to practise what they have learnt and to gain more experience."
Anyone interested in attending the open days, which is free of charge, should contact the HMYC office on 033 330 4158.