Ahoy, mateys! We're excited to announce that Little Optimist recently charted a course for positive change and landed a fantastic feature on Good Things Guy! This feature spotlights our impactful…

The Little Optimist Sailing Academy was buzzing with excitement last Saturday, May 11th, as we welcomed a fantastic group of young sailors from River Church Cape Town! Led by our…

We dove headfirst into a fascinating movie night and panel discussion at Jack Black's Brewery. The documentary "Wade in the Water" took centre stage, exploring the multifaceted relationship between Black…

The Little Optimist buzzed with activity today as we welcomed Astra Special School for a day filled with fun and inspiration! The children were captivated by Greg Bertish's creative "Little…

We are proud to introduce our new staff members on the YES program – sponsored by Laurium CapitalThis is the second year Laurium Capital has sponsored staff to The Little…

The Little Optimist Academy & Trust is honoured to have been selected as one of the Laureus Sports for Good Incubation Hub delegates.This is a platform for collaboration, growth, learning…

On opening night – 12 April, documentary – OPTIMIST – was screened along with 2 other films.Academy Award winning Director Pippa Ehrlich (My Octopus Teacher), filmmaker and storyteller Bryan Little,…

Congratulations to Josh September, Senior sailing Instructor, who placed 2nd in Western Cape Sailing Champs.Josh has been a part of The Little Optimist team for a few years and is…

Greg Bertish’s sailing documentary “Optimist” has been selected to debut at the Cape Town Adventure Film Festival. Cape Town, South Africa (10 April 2024) – A Capetonian ocean and charity…

Sailing managers, Amir and Shane and Sailing Instructor, Renton, took part in the Western Cape Sailing Champs over the Easter Weekend, 2 of which placed 1st and 3rd !!We are…

In 2022 and 2023, The Little Optimist Trust, with the generous donations of product and funding from Italtile and Italtile Ceramics, renovated and refurbished the Dormitory bathrooms at Astra Special…

This Easter HIIT Fitness chose to collect toiletries, stationary and easter eggs for the 144 children at Durbanville Children’s Home.The members did not disappoint and as what we have come…

Hi Greg,A heartfelt thanks from myself and the team.Your talk was fantastic and certainly opened everyone's eyes to the meaning of charity, grit and life purpose.We live such busy lives…

On the 16th of March, we had the pleasure of welcoming the kids from Mont Coeur Group for a unique sailing adventure! These enthusiastic kids, overwhelmed by curiosity, were so…

On the 14 March we had the wonderful honour of inviting the 9mile surfing crew to join us at The Little Optimist. Although they are known for conquering waves, they…

On the 12th and 13th of March we had the wonderful pleasure of welcoming Oranjekloof primary for the second, as the air buzzed with excitement seeing familiar faces return to…

Sparkling on the water, laughter echoing across the docks, today's kids sailing programme was a pure bust of joy! From watching the little ones conquer the first fear of being…

We were blessed to have the beautiful dance group from Mannenberg visit The Little Optimist to learn how to sail. They shared a dance with us before setting off to…

In December we held our annual Teddy Bear Drive which was a huge success!Thank you to the follow places that took the time to do collections:HIIT Fitness, ParklandsKOM SurfDario –…

The Great Optimist Race adaptive team member, Darren Thomas, makes us super proud by representing South Africa at the recent Crossfit Wodapalooza in Miami. Full Article Here

The wind was howling, but we still had fun! Blikkiesdorp FC showed us what teamwork looks like while playing games and learning how to tie different kinds of knots used…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PrKF7qlY2I

https://youtu.be/5PrKF7qlY2I

Boatica Cape Town plays an important role in promoting the burgeoning blue economy, a sector that injects billions of rands per annum into the city’s GDP. Seventy one exhibitors were…

In our interconnected world, it's fascinating to hear diverse perspectives from individuals hailing from different corners of the globe. Today, we have the pleasure of sharing insights from Dan, a…

A Grassy Park sailor and his crew walked away as winners of the fourth Great Optimist Race, a charity race that brings people together from all walks of life.The race,…

We believe in forming partnerships with other NGO’s. Surfpop is a surf school focused on building a sustainable future for children and youth from disadvantaged communities around Cape Town.This group…

BY OLIVER DANIELS | 4 NOVEMBER, 2023The Great Optimist Race is an annual sailing competition that brings together 70 skippers from diverse backgrounds, including celebrities, children, differently-abled individuals, and cancer…

Byron Lukas | November 4, 2023 A Grassy Park sailor is riding a wave of success, as he and his crew won the fourth annual Great Optimist Race. The “world’s…

Tauhira Ajam | 3 November, 2023 Saturday saw the fourth annual Great Optimist Race take place at Boatica at the V&A Waterfront. Hailed as the ‘world’s most inclusive’ sailing event,…

By Staff Writer @GOODTHINGSGUY | 2 November, 2023 The 4th annual Great Optimist Race saw 70 skippers help raise R250,000 for charities, including A New Breath, Project Flamingo, CANSA and…

The Bonteheuwel teenagers arrived nervously at the Boatica Boat show, V&A Waterfront, not sure what to expect. After learning how to sail at The Little Optimist stand, they strode out…

These surfers learnt that sailing is just as fun as surfing when they visited The Little Optimist stand at the Boatica Boat show, V&A Waterfront.They enjoyed a nutritious lunch at…

Fifteen lucky winners of our Save The Ocean Competition visited The Little Optimist stand at the Boatica Boat show, V&A Waterfront.They enjoyed a nutritious lunch at Bootlegger Aquarium. After lunch…

We love each and every group that visit The Little Optimist Sailing Academy, but Astra Special School Learners have captured our hearts.These inspiring children taught us to practice what we…

Tauhira Ajam | 23 October, 2023 Three novice sailors will demonstrate that being differently abled isn’t a limitation when they take turns sailing an Optimist boat designed for children as…

Byron Lukas | October 18, 2023A Grassy Park man, who sailed his way to success after recently winning the national championship title in the SA420 sailing class, is on a mission to…

Luke celebrated his 11th Birthday with us at The Little Optimist Sailing Academy. With a cake like this and thrilling sailing, it was definitely a memorable day for everyone!

The Grade 7 classes from our neighbourhood school, Prestwhich Primary , attended our Sailing Thru Life Program this week. Not only did they prove to be skilful sailors and aced…

There was lots of excitement when thirteen children from JCOR Sunday School Group arrived at the academy for our Sailing Thru Life Program. The day kicked off with an interactive…

The energetic  Grade Eights had a jam-packed day filled with sailing, knot-tying challenges and a visit to the roller cade. Bad weather did not deter the festivities;  the second group…

Learners from across the Western Cape are conquering their fear of the ocean, while improving their quality of life through exposure to the sport of sailing.The Little Optimist Sailing Academy,…

Cape Town - The Little Optimist Sailing Academy based at Battery Park at the V&A Waterfront received a massive boost, following the sponsorship of a sailing boat by the V&A…

Clarence speaks to Greg Bertish The Little Optimist Sailing Academy.

The Little Optimist Sailing Academy recently hosted Prestwich Street Primary School pupils who got to learn to sail in a newly donated boat. Cape Town, South Africa (02 August 2023) –…

Prestwich Primary School is our neighbour school in the inner city of Cape Town. The grade sixes are reading a book about sailing and visited us at the academy to…

https://youtu.be/X5fZpZ-BCbA

Will’s Birthday party at The Little Optimist Academy is an experience that these sailors will not forget soon!Book your birthday party with us for two hours of fun that will…

Fourteen very excited children arrived at The  Little Optimist Academy this Saturday for our Sailing Thru Life Programme. They learnt about water safety and situational awareness – how being aware…

In February 2023 all the teams from The OCEAN RACE visited and supported and sailed with the little optimist sailing academy. The world famous skippers and  teams joined the optimist teams…

We were thrilled to pilot our unique Train The Trainer Course this Saturday. Seven eager candidates, brimming with potential, were introduced to our sailing therapy programme.We had loads of fun…

The Blikiesdorp Football Club experienced a different game with us today – sailing. They did not only acquire a new skill, but also learnt how to sail through life with…

Looking for something new for your next school outing?Book your kids to be inspired by The Little Optimist.They will learn:Water SafetyOcean HealthKnot tyingAnd learn how to sail an Optimist dingy.It…

The smiling faces of Astra Special School graced us with their presence on Thursday. Thanks to Coffee Importers, we warmed up with a nice cup of hot chocolate.The Little Optimist…

The kids from Bonteheuwel brought us so much joy on Saturday!They brought the inner child out of the staff - it was all play, no work!Thank you to Zaironesa for…