In another first for Phuket youth sailing, Phuket Yacht Club at Ao Yon has announced the inaugural ISLAND TROPHY. This two-day regatta, with kids from Koh Samui and Phuket competing in their first-ever real boat race, will take place off Ao Yon on Saturday and Sunday, 22 and 23 March.

The competitors, kids from around 8 years upwards, are learning to sail the tiny Optimist dinghies in Koh Samui with the Samui Yacht Club Regatta and here in Phuket as part of the Phuket Yacht Club’s sail training programme.

Phuket Yacht Club has undergone some major changes over the past couple of years and now has a lively and growing membership led by an energetic team committed both to teaching youngsters to sail and to developing the club as a sailing-oriented family venue.

The Island Trophy is to become an annual event, alternating between Koh Samui and Phuket. The 2008 event will consist of three races on each day, with a beachside BBQ & Prize Giving on Sunday 23rd March.10-12 youngsters will race over the two days and the trophy will be awarded to the overall winner, with medals for individual races and age categories.

Although Phuket has arguably offers the best sailing in the world, opportunities for youngsters to learn sailing have been extremely limited. The sail training programme at Ao Yon is a big step in a direction that offers Phuket kids a lively interest, a marketable skill and a lot of healthy, competitive fun.

Anyone interested in supporting this initiative should make an effort to get down to Ao Yon on 22 or 23 March. All the competing Optimists have been sponsored and branded by local companies and, to fuel its growth, the club is actively looking for more corporate support.

For more details on the Island Trophy, the Ao Yon sail training programme or sponsorship opportunities, contact phuketyachtclub@gmail.com