Local sailors aim for international career
Mossel Bay's Khanya Mafuta and Oliver Holden operate like a well-oiled machine on the 29er, a two-man sailing skiff.
Khanya is at the helm and steers the boat and controls the jib.
Oliver is the crew on the boat and trapezes to keep the boat balanced, he also works the main and spinnaker sail. Teamwork is essential on this boat. If the two are even a few seconds out of sync the boat will not stay upright.
The team was selected for the second year in a row to represent South Africa, earning Protea colours.
Due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the team missed out on last year’s Youth Sailing World Championship in Oman.
The Hague
However, Khanya and Oliver got their chance this year and represented South Africa at the championships in The Hague, Netherlands, in July, when
450 sailors from 69 countries participated in the 51st youth event.
It was the first time ever for Khanya to travel out of the Cape and the first time ever on an airplane. After 20 hours of flying, the two boarded a train, which took them from Brussels to The Hague.
Their accommodation was about five kilometres from the sailing venue, and they had the chance to explore the area on bikes.
On registration day they were handed a brand-new boat to sail in the competition.
The boys were over the moon with their new racing machine and had time to set it up to their specification.
The competition is sailed over five days with about three races sailed per day if weather permitted.
The wind was unusually light for the time of year, with choppy sea conditions.
Strong current, light winds
The Hague proved to be a difficult venue for the team, with a strong current and light winds, and to add to these complications the team had never sailed in such a large fleet of boats. The two had trouble getting good starts and had to fight their way through the fleet in almost every race.
The team finished 23rd overall, but managed one 9th position, an 18th and two 19th positions.
Khanya learned to sail about five years ago when a friend dragged him to free sailing classes that the Skipper Foundation non-profit organisation in Mossel Bay offers. His commitment to the sport was highly apparent and he quickly moved up the sailing ladder and was chosen as a high-performance member of the Skipper Foundation. Later he joined Oliver on the 29er to make a team.
Even though Oliver had been sailing from a young age, he was never interested in competitive sailing. He used to take his boat out in the bay, roll up the sail and fish. However, when he climbed on the fast-racing 29er he changed his mind instantly. The fact that he could harness nature and travel the speed he does on the water has given him a new passion for sailing that he wants to take all the way to the Olympics.
International career
Khanya and Oliver have been putting in 14 hours a week on the water, not counting the hours of fitness training. They see this competition as the first step in their international career. To compete successfully internationally, it is important to practise hard at home and then gain international experience in bigger fleets and different conditions.
Khanya and Oliver will be assisting a new group of 29er sailors to keep their boats upright.
Giving back is an important lesson that the Skipper Foundation teaches. Please come down to Munro Beach and and see the new 29er generation being taught.
If you are interested in sailing, contact the Skipper Foundation, as they have a few "try-out sailing" days coming up. See www. skipperfoundation.co.za. - Elfie Holden, founder and chair, Skipper Foundation