Middle school students braved the blue seas in an introductory sailing programme at Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.Twenty-three M1 students from Whitney Institute last week took part in a WaterWise course, which involves sailing simulations on dry land for a week before plunging into the Hamilton Harbour.Paul Doughty, the senior instructor and sailing coach, said students were taught about the different parts of the boat and sails, wind direction, steering, how to tack and jibe, how to right a capsized boat and tie knots.Last week students aged between ten and 12 put their new skills to the test.Whitney PE teacher Erika Russell said they “improved considerably in a very short period of time”.“All were able to go from a complete non-sailor with no experience in water to confidently being able to manoeuvre the boat and getting it to do what they want it to do,” she said.When not in the water, the students were tasked with journaling their daily experiences. They were also responsible for researching different people throughout history who were accomplished mariners.WaterWise has been in existence for the past nine years. Many of the children in the programme have never been in a sailboat before and must quickly develop the decision-making skills and self-confidence that will help them on the water.The programme has produced several accomplished young sailors, said Mr Doughty.He added that there are always a handful from each programme interested in pursuing the sport.He told The Royal Gazette: “Part of this is keeping children away from sitting on the walls.“In the nine years we have been involved with this three world-class racing sailors have come out of this. Those are children that embraced it and saw it as an avenue for them.”Ms Russell said the benefits of the programme could also be seen in the classroom in some cases.“One boy in particular, his mother was concerned about his grades slipping. [In order] for him to sail he has been coming back to school every day at 3.30pm until 5 or 6pm to study reading or math.”She said all the students were more attentive to their coaches.Ms Russell, who was aided by Whitney teachers Lakeisha Bell and Larry Marshall Jr, said sailing was a great sport for the young people to learn as “they are all on the same equal playing field”.“Those children that never excelled at any activities you see that confidence when they realise it’s something they can do. They work together and compliments are involved and encouragement is transferred from one onto another.”The programme was offered to several other schools this summer including TN Tatem Middle School.