The Grand Bahama Sailing Club (GBSC) invites the public to come and watch the last graduation of the Summer Camps, the Great Bottle Race and an Ice Cream Social to celebrate the end of the most successful Summer Sailing Programme at GBSC..

GBSC Junior Instructor Bootcamp (JIB) Kids have been collecting thousands of plastic bottles all summer which are being turned into two craft which will race against each other in the Great Bottle Boat Race at 2pm on Friday 14th August. This environmentally sound science project has resulted in far too much fun, but, as the pressure mounts, the competitive spirit is sure to kick in and all the hilarity will turn to a searing intent and determination held together by all the duct tape available on the island.

The judging panel is an all star affair, consisting of Betty Bethel from the Ministry of Tourism, Denise deGregory from Be The Change, Rico Cargill from Keep Grand Bahama Clean, Ellsworth Weir of the Bahamas National Trust and GBSC Commodore, Joe Thompson.

The Ice Cream Social, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm, will be a chance to relax and chat all about the Summer Programme, meet up with old friends and make new ones. People can bring their favourite topping to share or pay $3 on the door. Adults can enjoy a rather delicious Pink Sands Float which is a refreshingly tasty way to start the weekend.

Hand crafted awards will be presented, along with certificates to the JIB Kids in honour of the nine week internship programme. The eight teens have survived nine weeks, sailing and helping the Senior Instructors during the biggest ever Summer Camps Programme. They also completed a Beach Clean Up, in coordination with Be The Change, at Barbary Beach and removed a truck load of garbage. It is hoped that these, and other teens who wish to join GBSC, will become the next round of Senior Instructors.

It was notable that this year was the first year GBSC’s instructors were all home-grown and we did not have to recruit from outside. The incredible Senior Instructors have provided instruction and inspiration in large amounts and to every child. They went above and beyond to ensure every single child was given the best experience based on their skill-set and interests. They worked tirelessly to provide the most opportunities and fun, whilst never letting up on safety and sun block reminders. Almost 170 places have been taken this year making it double the number in 2014. 112 full and partial sponsored places have been awarded and many of these children have expressed a sincere desire to keep sailing throughout the year. It is with enormous gratitude that GBSC thanks the Senior Instructors who delivered exceptional standards, namely, Alex Sutherland, Trevor Goodrum, Andrew Hindley, Alexander Thompson, Nick Rolle, Audrey O’Brien and Eric Nabb.

Additionally, the social scene at GBSC has been great fun and extremely varied with different events every weekend, namely; Curry Night, Sculling Gullywash Night, Kids’ Sleepover, Pirate Treasure Hunt, Kings of the Grill at the GB Regatta, Beer Pong Tournament, Teens Only Party Night and a Chili Night Competition. Photos of all these events, along with candid shots from the Camps, can be seen on the Grand Bahama Sailing Club’s facebook page.

This programme was made possible by the companies and individuals who sponsored. GBSC wishes to publicly thank; Lyford Cay Foundation, Statoil, Cable Cares Foundation, Bill Willms, American Women’s Club, Star General, Patti Boom, Andre Feldman of Argus Advisors, Mechanical Engineering, Island Projects, MASCO, Coral Windows, Graham Thompson, Island Seas Resorts, Bahamas Hot Mix, Parris Whittaker, Sandy Sawyer, Robby’s Warehouse, Terry Gape, Joseph Daly, Sean Donahue, Elaine Tarasov, Frederick Ossude, Michael Clough, Bradford Marine, Paint Fair, Eddris Wilson, Erika Gates, GBPA, Municipal Motors, Sanitation Services, City Services, Polymers International, Freeport Oil, Machinery & Energy, Island Jeep, Ruben Byrd, Global Tech, MSC Shipping, Single Service Ltd, TNT Seafood, Island Bedding, Rotary Club of Sunrise, James Sarles Realty, Newport Builders and several anonymous donors.

Additionally, support was given in many other ways that benefitted all the children this year. GBSC wishes to thank Ocean Motion Watersports, Calabash, Priscilla Aylen, Sabor, Garden Delite, Pieces, Banana Bay, Brian Botham, Bellevue Business Depot, The Two Dollar Shop, Bellevue Gifts, Kay Hardy, Cliff Bowe III, Bahamian Brewery, Phluid Phactory, Marine Support Services Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Reef Construction, Crown Ice, Pepper Pot,Longs Marine, OBS, Cash Marine, Karin Sanchez, Doug Prudden and Waugh Construction, Denise deGregory, Chris and Erica Paine, Sarah Rolle, Joe Thompson and Toby Olssen.

Beyond the summer, GBSC is excited to be welcoming a new Coach soon. It is hoped that we can build up the teenage sailing and younger sailors teams take a big team to the National Regatta held in Abaco, 2nd to 4th October.

The number to call for the Grand Bahama Sailing Club is 727-7245 or 727-SAIL and it can be found on facebook or at the website grandbahamasailingclub.org. If people prefer to contact the club by email, jackie@grandbahamasailingclub.org is the email address.