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IODA Development Projects
South Pacific

The sailing paradise of the South Pacific is the latest region where IODA is helping local enthusiasts to extend and upgrade their junior training fleets.

In 2005 IODA has been able to help three island groups.
Solomon Islands
Thirteen training sails
Nicholas Reese of Point Cruz Y.C. wrote that they could maintain their wooden hulls (and sent pictures to prove it!) but:
"Four of our Optimists were hit by a 50 + knot gust for a few minutes off the edge of a thunderstorm last Sunday, the kids handled it well, but two of the boats had their sails ripped to shreds. It was only after that that I found out that most of the sails are eight years old).
"Our junior sailors are very dedicated Solomon Islander children who have few other opportunities in sport and recreation, and they are the only competitive sailing fleet in the Solomon Islands (13 Optimists!)."

IODA was happy to supply thirteen new training sails.

Vanuatu
Sails, spars & fittings for 5 Optimists
Kely Ihrig of the Vanuatu Sailing Association formed in March 2005 wrote:
"We are a very small group with very high aims. Currently we have four (yep only 4) antique optimist's that we use to provide youth sailing workshops. We have our first optimist hull construction underway utilising the skills supplied by a project for unemployed youth that is teaching carpentry. The club is already running youth sailing courses on weekends and we hope to see the club developing to the point where sailing lessons could be offered to all schools at a minimal cost to cover overheads. "
IODA supplied plans to build 5 new wood/epoxy Optimists and then donated 5 sets of sails, spars and all fittings.
Papua New Guinea
"6 for 5" scheme expands the fleet
Rob Lane writes:
"In the Royal Papua Yacht Club we have a small band of dedicated volunteers trying to develop junior sailing through the Optimist Class to international levels. This is obviously not an easy task in a country where funds are limited. We are very lucky that over the last few years that this small band has given up their spare time to increase the awareness of the sport and raise funds to purchase new boats.
We have increased the fleet to 9 fibre-glass Optimists and still retain the old trainers. RPYC is a non profit organization. The Junior learn to sail program we run is very professional and is open to both RPYC members children for a nominal fee and selected local national children who are accepted free of charge. Over the last two years we have put though over 130 young sailors and we are trying hard to develop and build on the basic skills with the object of competing in the Oceanians or the Australian Open Nationals this year, if funds are available. Boat availability is an issue and we would love to increase our fibre glass fleet to at least 18 boats."

In 2006 grants were given to Papua Nuguini and the Cook Islands for new boats and to Fiji for sails, spars etc. for wooden boats. Several countries received grants to assist them in attending the IODA Oceanian Championship in the Cook Islands.

For details of IODA Development and Training grants see www.optiworld.org/ioda-develop.html