Bermuda's advanced youth sailors are having a "blast" at this week's sailing clinic in the East End being run by Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association (BODA).

The event encompasses a wide range of drills designed to enhance the skills of all participants ages 11 to 15 that include representatives from USA, Europe and the bulk of Bermuda's team that will compete at April's South American Championships in Salinas, Ecuador.

Representing the Island in Ecuador will be Antonio Bailey, Ceci Wollmann, Micheal Barit, Kyle Burgess, Mackenzie Cooper, Emi Froud, Kalin Hiller, Makai Joell, Owen Siese, Raheim Steede, Dimitri Stevens and Ellie Wollmann.

Cooper is currently in contention for top honours at this week's Mal del Plata Sailing Regatta in Argentina.

"We have had absolutely tremendous training in a great variety wind and wave variation in strong currents," Bermuda coach Paul Doughty told The Royal Gazette.

Confronted by seas as high as four feet and ten to 15 knot breezes, all participants have held their own in trying conditions that have put their sailing skills to the test.

"We've had a bit of everything," Doughty added.

The past three days has also seen participants place heavy emphasis on the fundamentals of the sport.

"We have gone back to basic but very important stuff such as the aspect and physics of the boat," Doughty said.

"The kids are really enjoying themselves."

BODA sailor development chairman, Paul Wollman, hopes this week's event will bolster Bermuda's preparations for the upcoming South American Championships.

"These clinics are designed to help our sailors prepare for up coming International events," he explained.

"In order for our sailors to prepare for regattas, such as the South Americans, we need to increase the competition for our sailors.

"During the clinic our sailors will gain insight from some of the world's top coaches but more importantly having top quality sailors will help our sailors raise their level in order to compete at an International level."

Doughty added: "This is going to be very serious business and sailing in open water will add a completely new dimension to what our young sailors are normally used to."

Also taking part in this week's event are renowned sailing coaches Tomas Kjellstrand and Zdzistaw Staniul who have produced two of the past four Optimist World Champions.

The Advanced Optimist Clinic concludes on Sunday.