Ten Galway teenagers will have the opportunity to win a sail training weekend in May.
Organised by the Ocean Youth Trust Ireland, the competition is open to all secondary pupils and youth club members in the county aged between 15 and 18.
The sail training weekend, which is being sponsored by Topaz, will take place from May 15 to May 17 on board the 70ft oyster ketch, Lord Rank, which is owned by the Ocean Youth Trust Ireland. The OYTI is a non-profit organisation which promotes sail training among young people of all backgrounds.
Letters will go out to all secondary schools and youth clubs in Galway city and county inviting them to organise their own internal competitions and submit the names of two candidates for selection by a judging panel from OYTI and Topaz. Application forms will also be available in Topaz service stations throughout the county.
Based on the submissions received, the judging panel will create a shortlist from which 10 winners will be selected.
The voyage will last for three days and will depart from and return to Galway harbour. During the voyage, the competition winners will learn the basics of sailing, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, self-confidence, and much more.
Given the heightened interest in sailing due to the Volvo Ocean Race, organisers expect there to be keen interest in the competition.
Bronagh Cappa, director of Ocean Youth Trust Ireland said: “Sail-training offers the chance to learn many vital life-skills as well as the skill of sailing.”
