A West End student is on the crest of a wave after jetting off to Equador to take in top class dinghy racing.

Sandys Middle School student Rajae Woods took part in the Optimist South American Championships, which was quite an achievement, considering he is only 13.

Rajae's career in sailing began in 1998 when he moved to Boaz Island and became interested in taking sailing lessons at the Sandys Boat Club.

At nine, living with his mother and two younger siblings, he understood the financial pressure that raising three children alone placed on his mother, Laneice Hollis, who took a part-time job at nights, in addition to her full time job, to pay for his lessons.

He also asked his aunt, Geneann Woods-Forde, if she would help out. She agreed, and paid for two weeks worth of lessons, while assisting Ms Hollis by both attending sailing meetings and looking after the children, while she worked the second job.

Jamie Harvey, sailing coach and owner/operator of Windjammer Watersports said that Mr. Woods showed his potential as a sailor very early on. "I coached Rajae at White's Island in the fall of 1998 and definitely saw that, not only did he show a natural sailing ability, but he had a great attitude," said Mr. Harvey.

"Rajae demonstrated his keenness to learn, by his willingness to travel each day from Somerset to Paget in order to race." Meantime, Malcolm Kirkland, the father of Rajae's sailing mate, Jessie Kirkland from the Sandys Boat Club, also saw Rajae's potential. He convinced his father and mother that he needed to be sailing for Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association, a youth recreational group - where he would benefit from the instruction of championship coach Pablo Weber - an Argentinian who ranks among the top three youth coaches in the world.

In addition, Rajae was awarded a scholarship to enter the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Summer Sailing Programme in 2001.

Rajae began sailing and racing every weekend, and every school break he had. With his enthusiasm rising, the next step for Rajae was to compete abroad, but that required some serious fund raising.

He sought sponsorship to enable him to compete in the World Championships and when BTC Mobility general manager Stanley Wright learned his plight, he stepped in.

Mr. Wright said was particularly `impressed with Rajae's skill, dedication and focus on his sport', because he himself was `an avid sailor when a young boy'. "It is with great delight and admiration that BTC Mobility is pleased to sponsor this young Bermudian and althlete, in his efforts to become a world-class sailor," said Mr. Wright.

Rajae has demonstrated talent, shown a keen interest early in his sailing career and has been working hard to build himself into an exemplary sailor and citizen.

Supported by family, he sails every weekend, every school break, and all summer long, while taking on odd jobs to earn money for equipment and competitions.

The BTC Mobility sponsorship includes costs of airfare, lodging, entry fees, coaching fees and equipment.

For more information on the Optimist South American Championships 2002, visit www.optimistecuador.com. For information on upcoming events, visit www.boda.bm, or www.optiworld.org.