The Canadian Yachting Association certified Mobile Optimist Sailing School will be returning for a second week from Aug. 13 -17, after the first class met with great success.
The introduction of a second class provides validation that there is a desire to develop a local sailing school in Sooke, according to long-time sailor and MOSS facilitator, Candice Suchocki Weir.
“The feedback that I’ve had from parents and children so far has been awesome,” Weir said. “This is very much an interest gauging year, but based on what I’ve seen, it makes sense to put together some formal plans.”
In the fall, Weir said interest groups will gather and decide on whether to institute a sailing school.
According to Weir, the MOSS program is designed to build a sailing legacy in the communities they visit.
Profits after expenses of coaching fees and transport of boats are donated back to communities if there is an interest to develop a local sailing program.
Because the first sailing class, which ran from July 9-13, sold out, Sooke was able to purchase an Optimist sail boat at a discounted cost from MOSS, which was priced at about $2,000.
Weir said after holding the MOSS program a few more times, Sooke will hopefully accumulate enough funds to purchase three more boats to start up a modest operation.
“The community of Sooke definitely has an opportunity to pick up a couple of boats,” she said.”Ideally in the third year, we’ll be set up to launch something small, but certainly an independent sailing school in Sooke.”
The MOSS program teaches children, aged 6-14, water safety and the basics of sailing and kayaking.
The program is organized through BC Sailing, and costs $250 per student.
To register and find out more information, check out: www. moss.bcsailing.bc.ca