Participants in this year's Bermuda Sailing Association (BSA) High School Sailing Programme were treated to the ride of their lives onboard Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) Extreme V 40 racing catamaran in the Island's port of call last week.

And according to BSA Programme Director Deb Gravelle, the youngsters loved each and every moment of it.

"The thing about cats is they can accelerate far quicker than a monohull sailboat as their hulls weigh very little and they are able to carry much more sail area. So when you sheet in you are going fast right away," she explained.

"In addition, there is very little in and under the water so the ride is super smooth ¿ amazing in fact."

Even in light air the 40 foot ocean Ferrari is capable of reaching impressive speeds.

"In only 12 or so knots of breeze the boat got up to speeds around 22 knots," Gravelle added.

Skippering the V40 in Hamilton harbour last week was Kiwi Mike Sanderson, 2006 ISAF Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Award recipient.

Sanderson is also a big fan of the racing catamaran.

"They are fantastic boats ¿ the acceleration is great," he said. "These boats were built to race and put on a show."

The 36-year-old sailor, who has competed in multiple King Edward VII Gold Cup regattas on local waters in the past, also lectured sailors of all ages last week at Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) where donations were made to BSA's Youth Fund.

"Mike is 36 and like many of the children in the audience started (sailing) as a child.

"He told us how his father used to drop him and his boat (on a trailer) at the ramp and then pick him up at the end of the day," Gravelle said.

"One day he forgot his tiller in his dad's car and at that point he realised he needed to do for himself and ended up whittling up a stick to use for the day's races.

"He said at times it was tough and when he complained to his father his dad would just say: 'let's wait 30 years and see if any of the other fellows are still sailing, if they are then I'm wrong'. 'If they aren't, then I'm right'.

"None of the other fellows are still sailing and Michael has several major accomplishments to his name."

BSA's High School Sailing Programme is open to all students ages 14 to 18 and is held every Monday and Wednesday afternoon ( 4p.m. to 6 p.m.) at RBYC from March 19 to June 11.