Point Yacht Club's youth sailors to showcase talents at Youth Nationals in Hermanus

The Point Yacht Club is set to make waves at this year’s Youth Nationals, with an enthusiastic team of young sailors proudly donning their new club kit as they prepare for the highly anticipated regatta hosted by Hermanus Yacht Club from December 14 to 19.

The talented team of youngsters includes Kai Funke, Shalin Naidoo, team captain John-Alan Harding, Gust Funke, and Ethan Kruger.

At the season-closing event, the emerging sailors will get to pit their skills against some of the best youth competitors from across South Africa

The Hermanus Yacht Club is expected to be a hive of action as the event will also include its traditional "Mixing of Waters", a ceremonial duty of the club ahead of regattas, which will then be followed by five days of racing on two designated racecourses.

Competitors will engage in a maximum of twelve races throughout the event, with no more than four races scheduled per day.

Leading the PYC charge is 16-year-old John-Alan Harding from uMhlanga, participating in his second Youth Nationals. Known for his tenacity and impressive résumé, Harding will be racing in the ILCA 4.7 class.

About the upcoming event, Harding stated, “I am really looking forward to this regatta. It is my first time in that part of the world, so after the event my family and I will be going sightseeing.”

Harding’s experience includes securing a first-place finish in the ILCA Regionals off Durban in July, and competing in the 505 Nationals earlier this year alongside Ethan Kruger’s father.

“What I like most about the laser is the freedom of movement I have in it, it makes tacking easy, fast and fun,” he said.

Shalin Naidoo, who is set to race in his fifth Youth Nationals, has also made a name for himself on the waters.

The Durban High School student expressed his delight at the competition saying, “I’ve been lucky enough to place in the top five in previous Youth Nationals and have recently competed in the J22 Interclub (event), which was an absolute blast.”

Two brothers, Gust and Kai Funke are no strangers to competitive sailing either, both have made earnest preparations in their respective classes.

Gust, aged 12, will make his third appearance at the Nationals, while his 10-year-old brother Kai will be competing in the Optimist class for the second time.

Their dedication to sailing mirrors that of their father, who has instilled a deep passion for the sport within them.

Newcomer Ethan Kruger, 13, completes the team. The youngster is said to have been honing his skills on the Optimist class while also crewing on larger vessels.

Following his recent graduation from Highbury Preparatory School, he was expected to step into a new chapter of his life at Kearsney College next year.

Apart from flying the colours of PYC at the regatta, the youth aim to build lifelong memories on the waters of Hermanus.

DAILY NEWS