The 26th of July marked the first official Hout Bay pilot site programme.

The day started with hot chocolate and hugs. The children arrived early and were filled with excitement, as some had visited us at The Little Optimist Academy before.

We were blessed with a sunny, partly cloudy day and gentle winds – perfect sailing conditions.

The day offered all that the Little Optimist Sailing Thru Life Programme has to offer – knots, stories of hope and inspiration, and the highlight: the children confidently sailing the boats by themselves.

They loved it so much, they even sang while they sailed.

The goal of the Little Optimist Sailing Academy is to make sailing and personal growth more accessible to children from all backgrounds, particularly those from marginalised communities. With this new site in Hout Bay, we can reach more children and spread more optimism.

Thank you to all our sponsors for your ongoing support, and a special thanks to Boock Signs for ensuring our new sites have beautifully printed sails.