Gaualofa: Apia Yacht Club

Principles

The Samoa Voyaging Socety (SVS) works to promote positive Samoan cultural values, respect for the ocean and nature, individual and social responsibility, discipline and integrity.

The SVS considers that the reintroduction of traditional sailing in Samoa will provide opportunities for youth development (sports, leadership), environmental awareness, cultural development and, potentially, tourism opportunities such as whale watching and adventure tours.

SVS is developing hands-on educational and training programmes in traditional sailing and navigation. The programmes will target young Samoan youth including school children, school leavers and other interested groups. The task of learning traditional sailing and navigation skills also develops leadership and discipline among the youth, leading to well-rounded young people capable of contributing positively to the growth of this nation.

Monday, November 15, 2010

NZ Sailors

Log Book 27/09/10

Torbay Yacht Club Sailors

Gaualofa and her crew took a group from the Apia Yacht Club out for a sail. This group included NZ kids who were on a youth sailing exchange with the yacht club. The kids are from Torbay Yacht Club, New Zealand. This club is renown for hosting the Sir Peter Blake Regatta every year. Marc (Skipper of Gaualofa) set the course to a sandbar (outside the lagoon next to the village of Letogo) 6 nmi north east from Apia, a great swimming spot, anchorage and spot a turtle or two. Winds were blowing north easterly at 15 knots with northern swells, so we were averaging 8 knots. There were a few green faces on the way, until we arrived to our destination. Lunch was served as soon as we had arrived and then the exploring of the sandbar and its surroundings commenced. It was a shorter and less bumper sail back to Apia harbour. Everyone had enjoyed the sail but had especially enjoyed the refreshing swim.

Overnight Sail with Apia Yacht Club

Log Book 06/09/10

Overnight Sail with AYC

Saturday morning was a beautiful day for a sail. Winds were blowing northeast at 10-12 knots, north swells of about 3 meters high. The Gaualofa and her crew were asked to be the support vessel for a sailing trip the Apia Yacht Club had arranged for the weekend. We had a few guests on board as well. There were 4 lasers and two hobie cats, a 14 and 16 which consisted of the fleet. Marc, set the course for a sandbar that we regularly sail to, which is NE from Apia ca. 7 miles from our point of origin, Mulinuu peninsular, so we were all on a beat. It took us about 3 hours to get to the sandbar and by then we were all hungry and overheated. After setting up the smaller boats for moorage a late lunch was made by the Gaualofa crew. Michael and Beniot (hobie sailors from AYC) set up camp on the sandbar to which everyone joined later as the yacht club sailors had arranged to a BBQ. Night was hitting fast and after a few camp stories around the fire we all called it a night and retreated back to Gaualofa for a proper night’s rest. The following morning, Sunday, we were all up and gearing for the sail back. After a great breakfast prepared by all, after sighting a few turtles we all rigged up ready to begin our sailing for the day. As the winds didn’t change much it was a run back to the Apia harbour. It took us less than an hour to sail back all keeping close to each other. The Gaualofa crew is still receiving thank you letters from our guests during the weekend. A big MALO LAVA to all!!!