Sailing prize giving extraordinary in many ways
The Learn to Sail School prize giving was held at the Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club on Saturday night, 2 June.
Level 1 to 4 sailors received awards as well as the Level 5s, who are at Regatta level.
The children receive free sailing lessons until they start sailing competitively. As far as is known the Mossel Bay school is the only one in South Africa where they receive free lessons. The school is run under the auspices of the International Sailing Federation and is a non-profit company.
School principal Elfie Holden had a special word to say to each child and was extremely encouraging and humorous, hugging each child as she handed over their prize or certificate.
The prize giving was extraordinary in many ways. The packed audience heard how most of the young sailors are transported to the yacht club to their lessons during the week.
Most of them receive a free meal before going out on the water.
Also during the prize giving, volunteers were thanked for their contributions, for example one who provides the meals - such as soup or pasta - for the children; one who willingly and cheerfully transports children; another who sorts out any engine trouble that Holden might have with the dinghy with which she coaches and monitors the sailors; and still another volunteer who simply arrived at the yacht club one day and asked: "How can I help?"
There were emotional moments as Holden affectionately shared anecdotes about sailors who dived off boats, always took care of their appearance and were well groomed even under stressful conditions out on the water; those who smiled constantly and were always cheerful; and those who had worked extra hard to achieve their level certificates.
It came across that Holden is a "mom" to scores of children and is intent on developing them to the full - to the extent that they are able to attend sailing world championships.
She had audience members chuckling and warmed by her combination of love and strictness with the children.
She has started a Skipper Foundation - an NGO, with which she is intent on teaching the children artisan skills so they can be assured of finding employment one day.