Representing the Bowen Island Yacht Club, twelve excited sailors, three enthusiastic coaches and one terrific volunteer coach set off for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club end of summer Commodore’s Cup Regatta last weekend.
Since 1986, junior racers from various clubs around Greater Vancouver have gathered on English Bay for three great days of racing. This regatta is designed to introduce sailors to the competitive side of the sport. It is open only to sailors who have taken part in a Learn to Sail program during the summer.
Whether sailors win or lose their races the experience at the regatta is irreplaceable, and often sailors come back year after year.
BIYC advanced sailors, ages 13-17, competed in various fleets this year. Sophie Walters and Santana Rutherford, both part of the BIYC 2013 team, returned this year to compete in the Laser Radial fleet.
Samuel Holm, having competed for BIYC in 2012, raced in the Laser Full Rig fleet this year.
Mait Davis, also part of the BIYC 2013 team, returned this year to sail in the Laser 2 fleet with novice crew Henry Wing. Dayna McMahon and Ava Shaw, both first time racers, competed together in the Laser 2 fleet as well.
The youngest members of the BIYC team, spanning ages 7-12, Christopher Oben, Fleur Sinclair, Paolo Verlee, Ellie Walters, and Max Wing competed for the first time in the Optimist fleet.
Despite competing in separate fleets, brothers Max & Henry Wing and sisters Ellie & Sophie Walters were able to share the joy of sailing with their families.
Coaches Fineen Davis, Reed Plowright Wills, Robert Torok and Derek Zandvliet led the team and encouraged the sailors through variable wind conditions and hot temperatures. After three days of competition, the regatta participants and their families enjoyed the annual RVYC banquet dinner.
BIYC is now offering September programs including weekday camps while school is not in session, Sunday Opti Learn to Race and Sunday Adult Learn to Sail. Registration is online at www.biyc.bc.ca.
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