Latest News

What does it truly mean to “dare to dream”? In this inspiring episode of Our voice, our future, we speak with Greg Bertish, heart surgery survivor, adventurer, author of The Little Optimist children’s books and founder of The Little Optimist...

At The Little Optimist Trust , we believe every young person deserves the chance to unlock their full potential. On this special day, we celebrate the incredible power of skills development — the foundation for confident, capable, and future-ready youth....

Just wrapped up an unforgettable sailing trip from Durban to Cape Town and wow… what an experience. Started the journey at Point Yacht Club in Durban — setting up the sails, getting everything ready with the crew. There was definitely...

My Journey from Durban to Cape Town So the journey started the day we flew to Durban. This was the first flight in my life, I was very excited and eager to experience that. It was in Durban were we...

Offshore Durban To Cape Town Sailing Trip. When one thought became reality. So far throughout my Sailing career I have never had an opportunity to do a boat delivery, as well as experience flying. I was excited when we got...

I want to extend my deepest thanks to Bruce Tedder for giving me and my three boys the incredible opportunity to be part of a journey aboard the boat set to sail solo around the world. Through your generosity and...

Greg Bertish and Erica McCune attended the Laureus Master Class. Helping the helpers Giving to the givers Educating the educators Inspiring the inspirers Thank you @laureus_sa for including us and empowering us to be better humans and more impactful and...

Blikkiesdorp Soccer Club 15th July 2025 A nervous but eager group joined us on 15 July at The Little Optimist Sailing Academy to learn and go on a new adventure. The boys listened carefully to the stories that were told...

Please download our June photo report! Click the button below! June Photo Report

On the 21st on June, the Academy was bursting with joy, laughter, and a whole lot of sunshine as we welcomed the incredible girls and boys from Heideveld for a one-day adventure on (and off) the water. From the moment...

At The Little Optimist Sailing Academy, we’ve always believed in helping young people step into their power, whether it’s balancing on a sailboat or standing tall in front of a mirror. But this week, we did something a little different....

The Little Optimist partnered with the Hout Bay Yacht Club and Zeekoevlei Sailing Centre with the goal of learning how to create an empowering sailing course for both kids and adults to enjoy. Over the course of three days, the...

The Hout Bay Yacht Club has a perfect setting. Nestled between mountains and the ocean, it is a safe haven of learning and laughter. The mock program served as a trial run for future rollout, and we’re thrilled to say:...

A Day of High Fives, Ocean Vibes, and Unforgettable Firsts! 🌊⛵✨ The energy was electric from the moment the group from JAG Foundation arrived. Smiles lit up the dock as each child was greeted with a warm, high five, a...

Kalk Bay was alive with colour, creativity, and community spirit as we gathered for the World Ocean Day Art Exhibition at the local community centre. And yes! you guessed it , The Little Optimist crew was right there in the...

At The Little Optimist Trust, we always say sailing changes lives — but sometimes, it also brings out your inner child! This week, our staff swapped their laptops and life plans for life jackets and laughter as they headed out...

This year our youth are sailing a different kind of boat. Our Sailing managers and 2 of our instructors will be the crew on board a Class40 yacht They will be assisting with delivering the boat from Durban to Cape...

On Saturday 24 May, The Little Optimist Crew made waves at the V&A Waterfront as we took part in the much-anticipated Dragon Boat Tug of War Challenge! We brought fun, colour, and laughter to the waterfront, and it was a...

On 16 May we joined together at Astra Special School for the grand opening of the school library. This project has been a labor of love for the Little Optimist Trust, putting in physical hours painting and spending further weeks...

The Little Optimist staff write messages of love, encouragement, hope and inspiration in books for Astra Special Schools newly refurbished library. This project is close to these staff members hearts as they spent hours painting the library during phase 1...

This past Saturday was one for the books, a magical collision of surf, sail, and pure joy at the 9Miles Project! From the moment the Little Optimist sailors swapped sails for surfboards, we knew it was going to be a...

“Over the Easter weekend, from the 17th to the 22nd of April, I had the incredible opportunity to compete in the ILCA 6 Dinghy National Championship—an event that brought together 23 of South Africa’s most skilled sailors. It was an...

Amir Yaghya, captain of the 420 fleet, had the privilege of competing in the Western Cape Championship alongside his sailing partner, Renton Geduld. This regatta was especially meaningful to them as it marked the final event they sailed together as...

We have had more deliveries from Moving Tactics, Ullman Sails as well as Darios in Hout Bay. Adrienne was out and about in Hout bay again – delivering Easter eggs to over 100 kids from Hangberg Sentinel Pre-Primary school. She...

Grade R children from Hout Bay Educare and Wavecrest creche were treated to a sweet surprise this morning. Adrienne, Senior facilitator at The Little Optimist Academy, handed out Easter eggs to the eager and very well behaved kids in Grade...

The Little Optimist Academy team had a heartwarming visit to the New Somerset Hospital, where they handed out Easter marshmallows eggs to the kids. With bright smiles and cheerful energy, they brought a touch of joy and sweetness to the...

The Waterfront Canal Swim was a beautiful mix of courage, joy, and unforgettable memories. One of the swimmers put it perfectly:  “How can I miss this? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!” Despite life’s challenges, she didn’t let her circumstances define her,...

During the April school holidays, The Little Optimist Sailing Academy hosted an extraordinary 5-day Multi-day program for children from Heideveld and what an unforgettable journey it was! From the classroom to the Canal, every moment was packed with fun, energy,...

The Little Optimist Trust was thrilled to attend the grand opening of Vista Nova Primary School’s brand-new inclusive playground on Wednesday 26 March! Designed to ensure that every learner—regardless of ability—can play, explore, and connect, this incredible space features wheelchair-friendly...

This February, something truly remarkable unfolded. The Ocean Pledge, Roxy Davis Foundation, and The Little Optimist Sailing Academy joined forces to empower over ten young adults from across Cape Town. Many arrived as strangers, some hesitant to even say hello,...

On 3 March we began our Train the trainer with @9milesproject at the #thelittleoptimistsailingacademy. We explored ways to use sailing as a means to teach life lessons and promote growth mindset thinking and living.

This research paper investigates the effectiveness of The Little Optimist’s (NGO) sailing therapy.

The Little Optimist Sailing Academy, based in the Waterfront’s Canal District, is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering special-needs children and at-risk youth through sailing.

It has been a very busy week for the Little Optimist and we are so honoured and proud of our journey and the recognition and reward we are receiving.

Today, just one day after our visit from the IOC & Advancing Olympism delegates, we were honoured to be visited by the French Ambassador for Sport, Samuel du Croquet, from the French Embassy.

Corale and Rebecca from Olympism 365 and the International Olympic Committee flew in from Senegal and Switzerland to visit our Sailing Therapy Academy and programme.

Today was an unforgettable day at our sailing academy as we welcomed a group of enthusiastic kids from Sentinel Oceans Alliance for a fun-filled sailing experience.

Our first multi-day program for our Broadening Horizons 2025 Project, The Going For Gold Programme in collaboration with Roxy Foundation and Ocean Pledge has commenced.

Our founder was invited to speak to the kids starting a new programme at Sentinel Ocean on 7 February.

On 31 January, Dawnay and Aneeqah, The Little Optimist Sailing Academy staff, visited the Heidveld Baptist church creche.

On World Read Aloud Day, Greg visited the Kommetjie Library.

Our founder, Greg Bertish, was invited to be a guest speaker at boot Düsseldorf, the biggest marine/boat show in the world.

We are excited to introduce our three new YES program candidates – kindly sponsored by Laurium Capital.

The Great Optimist Challenge was a GREAT success, thanks to you!

Somewhere out there, possibly in your back garden, is a small type of Optimist dinghy that could change somebody’s life.

Two Oceans Aquarium activation On the 17th and 18th of December The Aquarium Optimist boat set up at the I&J exhibit. Kids enjoyed floating in the boat for charity surrounded by the vast marine life.

Optimist Sailing Academy Manager, Amir, and Sailing Instructor, Renton – sailed in the 420 SA champs and retained their title in 1st place! We are super proud of them and look forward to many more accomplishments in 2025

Italtile in-store activation On the 14th and 15th of December the Italtile Optimist boat was front and centre at the Northgate Italtile store. Customers were given the opportunity to float in the boat for charity and make a small difference.

Moving Tactics – Year End Amazing Race Team Build The Little Optimist Sailing Academy was one of the stops on the Moving Tactics Amazing Race year end Team Building experience.

The Little Optimist Team took some much needed time out to celebrate a successful year. The team as grown this year in people and knowledge and we look forward to 2025 – where BIG things are to come!!

Once again HIIT Fitness has blown us away with their clients generosity and festive spirit. The donation box, which lives permanently at HIIT, is over flowing with plush toys. Before Christmas these teddies will be delivered to kids around Cape...

On the 10th of December , The Little Optimist recently hosted a group of young boys from JAG foundation, Bergvliet Primary, who had never set foot on a sailboat before. The excitement was palpable as they arrived at the dock,...

The Little Optimist Trust received these wonderful letters of gratitude from Simon’s Town learners. We are delighted to hear these kind and thoughtful words.

ARSHAY COOPER is a Rower, Benjamin Franklin award-winning author, the protagonist of the critically acclaimed film “A Most Beautiful Thing,” a Golden Oar recipient for his contributions to the sport of rowing, motivational speaker, and activist, particularly around issues of...

The Kommetjie Festival is an annual highlight in the South Peninsula. This year did not disappoint. The Little Optimist Trust presented The Great Optimist Challenge in collaboration with Komsurf Surfshop. Our famous boat kept hope afloat in a splash pool,...

This year, we hosted four amazing groups of kids from Heideveld, Bonteheuwel, Simon’s Town and the Benjamin Project at the Boatica Boat Show held at the V&A Waterfront. They joined us for an unforgettable experience of sailing, visiting the Aquarium,...

The Heideveld Youth Centre refurb is complete (for now!). They have a fresh coast of paint and a brand new bathroom with a shower. The kids celebrated by having a dance party and sending us the best ‘Thank You’ video...

Scrape, paint, draw, colour in – this is what The Little Optimist and Flyfleet teams accomplished in four days. The Little Optimist Sailing Academy team started the week by scraping the walls and applying a fresh new coat of paint....

Written by: Jan-Hendrik De Villiers Cape Town non-profit organization (NPO), The Little Optimist Trust, is set to hold its sixth annual boat sailing competition to raise funds for its various development projects. The event will take place at the Boatica...