Sometimes young kids have big dreams and want to challenge themselves. Nine Optimist sailors between the ages of eleven and fifteen challenged themselves to sail in 2.5 meter Optimist from 'Klein Curacao' to Curacao, a 30 km crossing on open sea with high waves and strong winds. On Saturday 13 June, the young sailors and their boats embarked the motor vessel 'Mermaid' and set off to the remote island of Klein Curacao. Why did they want to challenge themselves? First of all to make the population more aware that around Curacao, a small island within the Netherlands Antilles, there is splendid water which should be used to the fullest. Secondly, to show that children are able to do more things than one frequently thinks. Third, for training for the Optinam 200, with an emphasis on the down wind technique; and finally to raise money to participate in the North American Optimist Championships, the OPTINAM 2009 in the Dominican Republic.

After a briefing by coach Martin Jenkins, the sailors departed Klein Curacao around 11.00 accompanied by five rescue boats. The conditions were perfect, force 4 to 5 and waves between 1.70 and 1.90 meter. Without any problems, just a couple of capsizes and nosedips, all sailors reached the Lions Dive Hotel safely around 16.30. Kevin van Otterdijk (14), Kevin Maas (13), Jarrik Bijsterbosch (13), Eugene (15) en Louis (13) Hendrikx, Deion (13) en Jorden (11) van Rooijen and Just (13) and Odile (11) van Aanholt can be very proud of themselves. At the beach the team was welcomed by parents, family, friends, sponsors and the press. Mr Millerson and Mr van Wilgen of the Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee presented the AHO flag to the team, congratulated them and wished them good luck at the OPTINAM 2009.

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