The waters of Mangrove Bay were alive this summer with the sounds of teenagers learning the ropes of helming the smallest competitive sailing class.

The Sandys Boat Club Optimist course has proven to be popular with parents and children interested in a course, instructed by two Canadian men, in an intimate setting.

"It's a great programme here,'' Jason Purvis, 24, said. "We are a little bit more personal with them. You don't have to deal with the traffic of Hamilton Harbour here.'' His partner, Colin McCubbin, said the young people were a good group who were keen to learn about sailing.

"They can get a little wild sometimes. But they love to sail,'' he added.

"Mangrove Bay has its benefits for learning to sail. I love Bermuda for the interest in sailing here.'' The men, both of Ontario, spend the first portion of each session teaching the theory and practice of sailing, before taking to the water to make loops out to a special buoy.

Both men liked the informal low pressure method used in Bermuda to teach sailing.

"We don't give certificates like in the Canadian system, but we try to bring them to that standard, though,'' Mr. Purvis explained. "This is a better way to do it. The kids are not so stressed.'' Mr. McCubbin and Mr. Purvis received high marks this week for making the lessons fun and allowing for swimming time. I like them, they are good instructors,'' Matthew Rodill, 11, said.

A Mount Saint Agnes student, Matthew would like to move up to the Laser 2 class. He added that he enjoyed the course because of the relaxed atmosphere.

Eleven-year-old Rajae Woods, who will be attending Sandys Middle School in September, loves the competition among his friends and said sailing was all he had done for the summer.