Micah Thomas Raynor got a well-earned pat on the back from sailing idol and America’s Cup skipper Sir Ben Ainslie at last week’s relaunch of the Bermuda Schools Waterwise for Middle School students.

Raynor was one of the participants that attended a sailing camp facilitated by four-times Olympic gold medallist and America’s Cup winner Ainslie at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club nearly three years ago.

“I remember when we first met Micah was running around and he really stood out,” recalled Ainslie, who is presently in Bermuda training for the 35th America’s Cup.

“He had a lot of energy and passion for sailing and many, many moons ago I was Micah’s age and in the same position.”

Raynor, who is a product of the Waterwise programme, will represent Bermuda at the International Optimist Dinghy World Championships to be held in Dziwnow, Poland, from August 25 to September 5.

“Micah has really done well and we are very proud of him,” added Ainslie, who won the “Auld Mug” with Oracle Team USA in 2013. “Hopefully he can have a good event at the Optimist World Championships this summer.”

Raynor, who was a member of the Bermuda team that placed fourth at the Nations Cup held in conjunction with the South American Optimist Championships in Paracas, Peru, this year, appears to be reaping the benefits of the advice from Ainslie, who is spearheading Britain’s first America’s Cup challenge since 2003.

“It’s good to talk to people like Ben because they can give you good advice that you can use to help you to become a better sailor,” said Raynor, who placed tenth in the Bronze Fleet at this year’s South American Optimist Championships. “Ben is my favourite sailor because he has achieved a lot in sailing and is a good role model.”

Waterwise is a school-based programme that has integrated science, technology, engineering and maths to help youngsters in their intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth.

The school’s entire academic curriculum is woven seamlessly into the ten Waterwise teaching segments that includes learning the discipline of the sea, while sailing in the single-handed Optimist dinghy.

“I have learned everything through the Waterwise programme like keeping my boat flat when its windy, main sheet control and hiking hard,” Raynor said.

“I really like sailing because you get to go fast when it’s windy.

“But I do better in the lighter conditions because I am a lighter sailor.”