Eight of the Island’s intermediate Optimist sailors have been awarded scholarships designed to enhance their individual sailing skills.

Keishon Wilson, Raheem Steede, Dakarrie Steede, Shaquille Young, Tremayne Bean, Joshua Hughes, Tarreko Wilson and Dimitri Stevens, all members of Bermuda Sailing Association’s WaterWise educational programme, have become the first recipients of scholarships presented by Bermuda Sloop Foundation, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association, Bermuda Sailing Association and PW’s Marine.

For the past five years, Bermuda Sailing Association have provided sailing instruction to over 400 students through the WaterWise Programme, which teaches students between the ages of 11 and 12 years during a six-week programme.

Over the summer many of the students were provided additional sailing instruction by the National Sailing Programme, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club and Sandys Boat Club.

This fall several of the students continued their sailing through the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, among them the eight intermediate sailors who received scholarships that will help to take their sailing to the next level.

“It is our greatest desire to continue this programme and we are really excited about it,” programme director Deb Gravelle commented.

“The kids love it and it’s really fun to watch them.”