What another year its been! This year we managed to get just over 1,600 people on the water, an increase from 2020, thanks to relaxed covid restrictions during the season.
U Sail Watersports purchased another fleet of 6 RS Zest single-handed boats from RS Sailing in 2021, as the last fleet of six was sold to the Provo Sailing Academy in Turks and Caicos to help them grow accessible sailing, which is also one of U Sail Watersports’ goals.
The RS Zest boat is the perfect training boat for beginners either kids or adults learning to sail who are working on their Royal Yachting Association Dinghy Level 1. This is because of how stable the boat is in all wind conditions. The boat can be sailed as a single -handed (one person) dinghy allowing for 2 metre social distancing. It can also be used with two or three kids. The RS Zest allows sailing in stronger winds and having kids enjoying sailing while still feeling confident.
Our six RS Zests that were new in March 2021 have provided lots of enjoyment for young people of all ages throughout the seasons.
Bermuda-registered charity Endeavour has purchased 6 RS Zests from USAIL toward the shared goal of improving access to youth sailing opportunities in Bermuda.
Jennifer Pitcher Endeavour’s Community Engagement, Development & Partnerships Manager explains, “Endeavour’s fleet features multiple RS Sailing training boats to facilitate our experiential learning programmes for diverse youth across Bermuda. The addition of the RS Zests will enhance Endeavour’s programme offerings with a single-handed boat that is suitable for youth of all ages, skill levels and abilities.
The RS Zest design allows for two-person sailing for those who need to build their confidence and skills on the water, which is key as the majority of youth participants who engage in Endeavour’s programmes are new to sailing.
We are thankful to USAIL and RS Sailing for their continuing support of Endeavour along with Endeavour’s valued donors including lead founding partner Orbis.”
James Harris, Endeavour’s Operations Manager states, “We are excited for the RS Zest to join Endeavour’s fleet which will enhance the learning experience for young people who engage in Endeavour’s programmes.
The RS Zest provides an alternative sailing vessel that will benefit young Bermudians who engage in the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme. Once a sailing skills base is established, the single-handed nature of these vessels will improve the learning curve of participants significantly.
The RS Zests will also enhance the Endeavour Middle School Programme which engages every student in Bermuda during their first year of middle school in a five-day STEAM through Sailing experience. The RS Zests can be used alongside Endeavour’s Hobie Wave catamarans as a monohull experience which will enhance students’ learning of buoyancy and stability relevant to Endeavour’s STEAM modules. This will enable students to compare different hull shapes, and also incorporates the daggerboard adding another dimension to their learning experience.”
U Sail Watersports Centre is open to on demand courses, tuition and equipment hire with accreditation from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) to run RYA sailing beginner to advanced levels, RYA windsurfing, RYA foiling, RYA First Aid and brand new is the RYA Marine Radio SRC VHF Operators Course and license.
Are you interested in the RS Zest sailing dinghy? Either learn or come try one of our new 2022 fleet of 6 RS Zests arriving in March 2022.
Head to our website at usailbda.com or email us at [email protected] and have a chat about your new on water adventures!
