Sailors as young as 8–12 years learn about discipline, responsibility and leadership and respect for the water and weather when they enrol in the Learn to Sail Program at the Apia Yacht Club. 

These characteristics, which the young sailors have had to rely on during their 2021 sailing season prize-giving, had to be postponed three times since December due to the various Government-declared COVID-19 lockdown,

However, finally, Samoa's sailing community will finally get to celebrate the end of their 2021 sailing season next Tuesday evening with a prize giving at the Apia Yacht Club.

The 2021 beginner sailors, brothers Elyseo and Epa Morrison (10, 9 years of age) and sisters Iona and Malia Seumanutafa (10,9 years of age), as well as brother and sister duo Ave and Joachim Faafiti (8, 11years of age) are looking forward to finally celebrating the end of last year's sailing.

All were beginner sailors in the Optimist Boat Program in 2021 except for the Fa'afitis of Levi Sale'imoa, who had previously started sailing in 2019. All are coached by Aloma Black.

When asked what has been the best part of sailing for them last year, Iona Seumanutafa pointed to steering the boat and weather.

"I love knowing how to steer my boat to make it go faster, we learn to read the weather,  make sure we know how strong the wind is, which direction it's blowing from as a sailor, we must know the weather we are going to sail in,” Iona said. 

Epa Morrison said he loved sailing and hanging out with his friends.

"I love coming down to sailing as I get to hang out with my friends, and we all learn to sail together," he said.

Sailing for the youth has also helped to instil discipline and time management in the young sailors.

"One of the things I've learnt to do is to be organised, do my chores at home, get my homework done on time and be helpful at home so that we can be ready for sailing on Saturdays,” Elyseo Morrison said.

"We learn to organise our sailing bags with clothes, our towel, sunblock, lunch and water, ready for sailing and we have to be on time.”

Ms. Black added that the young sailors have had to overcome fear, anxieties and learn to be mentally strong. 

"They have learnt to be organised, be responsible to care for their boats and learn to sail their boat,” she said. 

“Sailing teaches our youth excellent discipline and they deserve the recognition for overcoming their challenges to successfully sail and even taking on races already. 

“That is why the prize giving is important.”

The Apia Yacht Club encourages the public to take advantage of the opportunities the sport of sailing offers Samoa. 

The club has also partnered with local companies and organisations to offer sailing scholarships for local children who are committed sailors, but do not have adequate means to take up sailing. 

The support of Transam Samoa, National Bank of Samoa, SIFA, New Zealand High Commission, Australian High Commission, and World Sailing who have supported Apia Yacht Club sailors in the past were acknowledged. 

The club added that it is proud to have two sailors on Olympic pathways now representing Samoa. Anyone can join the club with applications available at the Apia Yacht Club.