A sailing programme which has introduced thousands of children to the sport in its 50-year existence is in danger of being dropped because of Government's decision to slash the Bermuda Sailing Association's annual grant by $50,000.

The huge cut in sailing's allowance was announced in last Friday's Budget.

And yesterday the BSA confirmed it was now having to consider discontinuing the National Sailing Programme, conducted first out of White's Island and more recently out of Darrell's Island – a programme which over the past five decades has given young Bermudians their first opportunity to learn to sail.

It was only last Friday that BSA learned that the $75,000 grant they received last year had this year been reduced to just $25,000.

The drop followed the discontinuation of a $90,000 annual grant that was announced late last year, a large portion of which was used to run the National Sailing Programme.

Deb Sullivan Gravelle, the BSA's Programme Director, said yesterday: "Once we learned $90,000 had been cut, we reduced the number of sailors to be accepted in this year's programme. Now that an additional $50,000 has been cut, however, the programme is in jeopardy. We're exploring alternative funding, although we are not hopeful in this economic climate, particularly at this late date."

The junior courses were established as a government programme that helped many locals learn to sail by providing instruction at a cost lower than could be found at the private sailing clubs."

"The long-term effect of cancelling the National Sailing Programme would be significant," added Gravelle.

"Sailing teaches life skills such as teamwork, discipline, safety, attention to detail and respect for elders. It boosts self-confidence and self-esteem. And the National Sailing Programme has produced one of the Island's best sailors, Peter Bromby, who has represented Bermuda four times in the Olympics.

"If we have to cancel the programme this year, there will be 400 children scrambling to find a summer activity at the last minute and there will be more youths sitting on the wall. It would be a great shame for Bermuda if this programme were to be cancelled.

"If we wait much longer, we'll lose some top talent who have provided an invaluable contribution to teaching sailing in Bermuda. Our instructors that we've tentatively lined up for the summer will go and find another summer job."

The BSA is the governing body for the sport of sailing in Bermuda and is recognised by the International Sailing Federation. It was formed more than 30 years ago by the sailing clubs of the Island, the various racing classes and other enthusiasts.