In the Community

Sol supports optimistic season for youth sailors in the BVI as new coach joins Royal BVI Yacht Club

 Tortola, British Virgin Islands, October 6, 2011 - The Royal BVI Sailing Club (RBVIYC) youth sailors welcomed new instructor and coach, Omari Scott, to his first junior programme session on Saturday, October 1. To mark the occasion, Deborah Benjamin, country manager for Sol, attended the post-lesson debrief and gave a monetary donation to Brian Duff, one of the many volunteers who help to run the youth sailing programme. The donation is part of the companyís agreement to support the RBVIYC junior sailing programme in conjunction with Nanny Cay Marina.

"I was really pleased to see the swell in young sailors who had attended the Saturday session," said Deborah. "The numbers seem to have doubled from a few months ago and there have been many improvements to the designated sailing center at Nanny Cay. I am delighted that the fund raising system we have put in place with Nanny Cay Marina is helping to progress the RBVIYCís sailing programme for the young people of the BVI."

The collaboration between the two businesses facilitates the collection of a donation from every gallon of fuel sold at the marina. The money is given to the RBVIYC junior sailing programme.

'We are continually seeking to raise funds for the RBVIYC's junior sailing programme so we can continue to teach sailing skills, build confidence on the water and build a strong and competitive BVI youth sailing team," said Richard Wooldridge, Director of Sailing Development at the RBVIYC. "We are in the fortunate position of taking on Omari Scott as the club's sailing instructor and coach. He is experienced, dedicated and driven to see Caribbean youth sailing succeed and we are confident that we are going to see the programme flourish with increased participation in regional and international regattas."

 Omari Scott, a 28 year-old Antiguan national who earned his degree in sports management on a sailing scholarship at Hampton University, arrived last week to take up his new position at the RBVIYC. Prior to coming to the Virgin Islands, Omari was one of two sailing coaches of the St. Lucia Yacht Clubís Youth Sailing Programme sanctioned by the St. Lucia Sailing Association.

During his tenure at the RBVIYC, Omari will be instructing and coaching beginner, intermediate and advanced sailors in tailored sessions to be held throughout the week. He will be responsible for the development of the junior sailing programme and the BVI youth sailing team.

"I have been sailing since the age of 5 and teaching sailing skills has become a vocation for me," said Omari. "I am from the Caribbean and it is clear to me that the region should have the best sailors: We are surrounded by water and the sport is not hindered by seasonal changes. My goal is to help build sailing as a regional sport and nurture Caribbean sailing talent. I have seen a lot of potential with the young sailors in the BVI and look forward to growing the RBVIYCís junior sailing programme."

The Royal BVI Yacht Club is a not-for-profit entity. It is the national authority for sailing in the BVI and many of its BVI sailing alumni and members have gone on to race in internationally renowned regattas and the Olympics. The club is dependent on members, volunteers and donations from sponsors and individuals to run the club and organise events. All funds raised are channeled into the club and help to maintain its fleet of Optimists and Lasers, maintain and operate its coach boat, organise regattas and assist children in traveling and participating in overseas sailing events.

For more information on the RBVIYC youth sailing programme please visit www.royalbviyc.org.

Sol supplies the marine community at Hodges Creek, Nanny Cay Marina, the Moorings, Village Cay, Bitter End, Biras Creek, Oil Nut Bay, Peter Island, Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour and Leverick Bay. Sol is a committed supporter of community initiatives including the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, the Leverick Bay Poker Run, the Glass Project and is a partner of the BVI Athletics Association.

Nanny Cay is host and presenting sponsor of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival and host for international cruising rallies ARC Europe, the Caribbean 1500 and the Atlantic Cup. Nanny Cay also sponsors youth swim programme, KATS Swim.