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Club seeks to promote yachting

Peter Davidson, treasurer of the Walvis Bay Yacht Club. (Photograph by Clemencia Jacobs)In a bit to promote yachting amongst young people, the Walvis Bay Yacht Club has formed a partnership with the Walvis Bay International School through which children between the ages of  five and 18 will participate in various championships.
According to Peter Davidson, treasurer of the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, the club got involved in the partnership in order to promote the sport and to ensure that young people take an interest in yachting.
“We would like to get junior sailing on the go. As part of this, we will have some students from South Africa participating in competitions during December,” Davidson told the Economist.
The club will host various events throughout December including the Opening Sail Competition on the 17th and the Bell Boy Race on the 18th. The Junior Leisure Championship will also take place on 18 and 19 December; while the Senior Leisure Championships will be held from 27 to 29 December. The Hobie 16 Championship will take place on 26 December from Walvis Bay to Swakopmund.
The Walvis Bay Yacht Club was inaugurated in 1961 and celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Its objective is to encourage amateur yacht sailing and the operation of sea-going motor yachts in Walvis Bay and adjacent waters. The club currently has 300 members and is open for all with an interest in sailing to join.
“The club is open for membership, anyone can join us. Our long term plans include growing the club’s membership. Other plans include getting a longer term lease in order for us to be able to improve facilities at the club. We are looking to build three more garages at the club which our members can use to store their boats and we will also offer sailing courses,” Davidson said.
Although the club receives support from the business sector, it also has a fully-fledged restaurant through which it raises funds for the club’s activities. It is open to the public and offers a view of the Walvis Bay lagoon and harbour area and a very sumptuous menu.
The competitions which will be held during the course of this month are sponsored by Schoemans, Neo Paints and Hemco Paints.

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