The summit meeting of representatives of the active sailing territories in the Caribbean coordinated by Sarah Rickwood and Cyril Lecrenay of the Barbados Sailing Association, under the auspices of the Barbados Yacht Club was successfully held on the weekend of the 17th and 18th of September.

Representatives from Puerto Rico, USVI, BVI, St Maarten, Antigua, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent, Bequia, Grenada, Barbados and Trinidad attended the meeting. Barbados was represented by Peter Hoad and Penny McIntyre of the Barbados Sailing Association, Peter Douglas of the Barbados Optimist Dinghy Association and Lieutenant Commander Carl Farley, Commanding Officer of the Barbados Sea Cadets.

Mr. Ralph Johnson, one of Barbados’s iconic sailing personalities, opened the meeting. Mr. Johnson is presently the Vice President of the Barbados Olympic Association and former president of the Caribbean Sailing Association.

The keynote speaker of the conference was Ms. Amy Goman, a senior instructor with Ontario Sailing who outlined the systems and methods utilized in Canada. The summit mainly addressed the problem of the lack of an organized regional programme and certification system that would provide consistency for the training of youth in sailing and boating skills. The need for a programme that would provide training and certification on a consistent and sustainable basis within the Caribbean using the best available systems was identified.

The attention to this subject was stimulated by the present problems in training throughout the Caribbean, the need for certified boating skills in the job market and the need to promote skill training that matches the natural water resources of the islands.

The meeting found consensus on the broad principles of a certification programme and an interim structure, which could lead to a region wide certification system. The association envisages the creation of a certification system, which will be used in the Eastern Caribbean and around which training can be modeled. The meeting found consensus on following in broad terms the Canadian model of training and certification, which was already partially used in some Caribbean islands.

The meeting determined that the Caribbean Sailing Association should appoint an interim Director of Certification and Instruction. Mr. Colin Barcant of Trinidad has been proposed for this position.

The president of the Caribbean Sailing Association Mr. Robbie Ferron said of the summit: “This is the beginning of a long process of upgrading the quality of youth sailing instruction and one that is most appropriate in the light of the opportunities that exist for sailing in the region and the relative lack of use of these opportunities."

A complete report will be produced and be made available to all interested persons.

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