We teach children how to sail in optimist boats and race is regattas. The Placencia Sailing Club joined the Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) in May, 2012. Placencia Youths will recognize that not only is sailing a part of their rich culture. The skills and learning involved in such a fun and exciting sport will strengthen them mentally and physically and improve their self-esteem, self-confidence, and leadership skills. HISTORY
In January 2012, Alan Usher and Shelly Bradley from the Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) – a recently registered NGO and charity- met with Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Cabral Jr., owners of South Waters Resort and Belize Sailing Adventures in Placencia, to present a genuine opportunity to teach the youths of Placencia how to sail and race small boats. Since this was one of Mr. Cabral's dreams when they returned home to Placencia. Cabral is a captain/sailor himself, so he quickly jumped at the idea to become a member of BzSA. Optimists are a class of small, inexpensive, and very portable sailboats. They are used worldwide and more extensively than any other design to teach sailing to children ages 8 to 15. BzSA has joined the International Optimist Association and under this umbrella, the Placencia Sailing Club was born. Youths of Placencia will be able to compete throughout the country and hopefully one day worldwide at an Olympics standard. MEMBERSHIP: Youths (8 – 15 yrs) will be able to become a member of this club by paying a membership fee of $25.00 yearly while the Young at Heart Adults (16+) will pay a membership fee of $50.00 yearly. These fees do not include the cost of traveling expenses to/from regattas and other additional expenses. To fully sponsor a youth (8-15 years old) the membership fee will be $250 annually. Anyone can become a member. Interested youths and adults contact the Placencia Sailing Club at [email protected], on our page or call us at 620-7320 or 600-9513. SPONSORSHIP: Businesses or individuals can sponsor the Placencia Sailing Club in several different ways. You can purchase an optimist boat for the club for only $3500.00 Belize Dollars. Two businesses can share a optimist sponsorship as well by splitting the cost. The name/logo of the business will go on the port side the other on starboard. Fiberglass Optimist hulls are known to last for 15 years, and even if sub tropical climates decrease longevity, a one-time investment will still provide advertising for quite a number of years, minimizing the annual cost of an ad on the hull.
