7 News Belize

The Resurgence Of The Sailing Sport
posted (December 30, 2010)
And while cycling has maintained its popularity for the last 70 or 80 years - despite that fact that it's not an ideal spectator event, we can't say the same for sailing. The sport - which enjoyed a long period of popularity in the mid to late twentieth century - now seems arcane and esoteric.

But in the 1960's and 70's Belize had a healthy cadre of sailing enthusiasts led by the likes of former Chief Justice Sir George Brown.

That group of free spirited men caroused across Belize's far ranging open waters and held national attention when March came around and it was time for the Harbor Regatta. Those are memories, but that bygone era is being reanimated with a resurgent Belize sailing Association that's committed to imparting the skills, science and sweetness of sailing to a new generation of sea-farers.

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, they held their "ButtonWood Bay, Christmas Sailing Days" staged from the Sea Shore Restaurant Button Wood Bay and 7news was there:….

Jim McFadzean Reporting
Veteran Sailors like Denys Bradley remember fondly those days when sailing boats were the pride and joy of Belize's open sea.

Denys Bradley, Veteran Sailor
"I think the advent of power boats - power boats became an easy way to get to the cayes and all that and it sort of died, I can't really say but I think power boats is the big problem and possibly people have lost interest in sailing and racing but I am glad to see its making a comeback now."

That comeback Bradley speaks about is the newly formed Belize Sailing Association which organized an open day of introduction to sailing at the Buttonwood Bay seashore.

Allan Usher, Secretary, Belize Sailing Assoc.
"The Belize sailing Association was formed in February of this year by a group of like minded individuals who wanted to re-start sailing in Belize, we thought that sailing had declined considerably and we thought that we had excellent facilities here in terms of shelter, water and good steady predictable wind patterns and the love for water that Belize has. The main objective of BSA is to promote the recreational use of our sea space. Belize has more sea spaces than land space and quite frankly we've neglected - other than what we could get in terms of fishing resources off the sea - we've neglected in recent times the use of our pristine waters for recreational use and really that's the primary objective."

All you need is the interest and one weekend out of the month says Roberto Pott, the man charged with developing Sailing for young enthusiasts in Belize.

Roberto Pott, Sailing Coordinator, Belize Sailing Assoc.
"We've recently started off a series of training that will take the beginner or novice from absolutely nothing going right up. There are few of the boys who have been involved with the sea scouts over the past 5 years and they simply need to be certified which is we are trying to get people to get some kind of accreditation for the knowledge that they have. There is a wealth of knowledge is sailing and this certification process will validate that - provide them with a certificate at the end of that training process."

And lest you believe that sailing is a sport just for the elite, well, think again says Pott!

Roberto Pott, Sailing Coordinator, Belize Sailing Assoc.
"I think that we put a very good case that it's a lot more affordable now especially with the rising cost of fuel prices and for any mariner who is out there knows how much it costs to maintain a boat, sailing, other than the equipment is cost-free, there is no cost after that other than the maintenance of the boat. It's very affordable and Mr. Usher will also be introducing a new type of boat, a 70 pound boat that's very small, a small person can lift up that boat and handle it himself. It's going to be far more affordable and far more attractive for anybody who is even considering of going out into the sea. It's cheaper and it's a lot of fun."

That fun was quite visible in the eyes of two young men who are no strangers to the sport and who both got their introduction to sailing as members of the Sea Scouts.

Jim McFadzean
"It looks like you all were having a good time. Tell us about the experience for somebody who has never been sailing before, how easy is it or is it hard?"

Tyrone Usher, Sailing Enthusiast
"It's not really hard, it's just confusing and in a way you just have to put your mind to it, once you put your mind to it, it will run smooth."

Jim McFadzean
"How long did it take you to feel comfortable in this boat?"

Tyrone Usher, Sailing Enthusiast
"About a year and change. Like now I am in for six years."

Wilson Logan, Sea Scout
"Sailing is just something you enjoy, it relaxes the mind, it gets you all excited especially when the boat starts leaning, it's something like an adventure when you are bored."

Jim McFadzean
"How long have you been sailing and is it now your number one sport?"

Jeremy McFoy, Sailing Enthusiast
"Well it is my number 1 sport but I am sailing for about 3 - 4 years and to me it's awesome because like we sail from here and we go to different cayes and stuff like that. Race boats and all different kind of sports in the boat."

Jim McFadzean
"How long did it take you to feel comfortable behind the sails?"

Jeremy McFoy, Sailing Enthusiast
"Only about 2 months, the first time I stated I was scared because of the water, I was afraid that I would drown or something like that. But after I learn I wasn't afraid after that because we use life jacket and stuff like that."

Jim McFadzean
"If somebody wanted to join this sport and they weren't comfortable because they can't swim, what advise you have for them? Do you need to know how to swim?"

Jeremy McFoy, Sailing Enthusiast
"No you don't really have to because if anything happen…suppose all of us are out there and something happen to your boat and we have to swim back? We wouldn't swim left anybody behind, plus we would be having on our life jacket so we will help you coming back."

It is that sort of enthusiasm that the association wants to harness as they try to groom and nurture a whole new generation of sailing enthusiasts.

Allan Usher, Secretary, Belize Sailing Assoc.
"Sailing as a completive sport is the endgame indeed. We are told that the Belizean who will win the Olympics for sailing is not yet born so we have a lot of work."

A lot of work maybe, but with no shortage of this type of euphoria after a day of sailing!

Tyrone Usher, Sailing Enthusiast
"It feels like you are in heaven, peacefully no one is harassing you or anything, you are doing your own thing out there and you are just learning more skills and would advise people to come out and learn what we are learning."

Already several schools have expressed interest in participating in the Sail Belize certificate course. So far Wesley Primary, Belize Elementary, Holy Redeemer, and Horizon Academy all sent students to yesterday's open day introduction. If you would like more information on how you can sign up for Sail Belize, you can contact the association at: BelizeSailingAssociation@gmail.com or call Allan Usher at 610-2006.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize