"IDLE ALONGS” FOR JUNIOR YACHTSMEN

Evening Star, Issue 22686, 28 June 1937, Page 14

"IDLE ALONGS” FOR JUNIOR YACHTSMEN

PRAISEWORTHY OTAGO SCHEME WILL IT REACH FRUITION ? [By Spinnaker.] Every sport draws its most active, and generally its keenest, supporters from the ranks of youth, and depends upon the coming generations to foster it and keep it alive in future years. No sport neglects its youthful following; most devote equally as much attention to the junior as to the matured participants, and all realise that the interest aroused early in life persists—though sometimes dormant, yet still present—throughout a lifetime. One sport in Otago which has not given the juniors as much attention in recent years as it could have done is possibly the most healthy and interesting of all—yachting. There is no youngster around Otago Harbour who has not at one time or another longed for a boat of his own; yearned to skim over the water without effort, with a fine spread of canvas to do his work for him while he lolls serenely steering. The water has a fascination for these youngsters. In their infancy they play about with models in pools, hoping that some day they will he fortunate enough to possess the full-sized boat. And some youngsters will have, their ideals realised in this direction, if the scheme promulgated by' the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association comes to fruition, as it should. _ The matter was raised by the lack of interest shown in the recent Cornwell Cup trials, where it was found that of the two entries, one boat would appear on one day, while the other would come along the following day. Eventually it was found that there was not a yachtsman conforming to the conditions of the race who was of a sufficiently high standard of performance to compete for the cup. Now the association intends to raise funds for th© purchase of six or eight boats of the Idle Along class, which would be placed at the disposal of those boys who had shown themselves worthy of being helped. If •■it was possible, the boys were to raise a portion of the cost, which would give them a proprietary interest. They were also to he affiliated to some club.

This is a step in the right direction, but to date no definite arrangements have been made, arid the matter is still hanging fire. Difficulties arise from the conflicting of internal club fixtures with any proposed carnivals or the like. Two or three clubs have shown praiseworthy initiative, and are making some attempt to fulfil their side of the contract by various functions. Others re-

fuse to action until their own .affairs have been concluded. The Yacht and Motor Boat Association has been subjected to some very adverse criticism in the past, but with its new executive in active and determined operation for the good of the sport, and necessary and advantageous business put through, it would be an excellent demonstration of its intentions if this scheme were given the greatest attention and brought to a successful conclusion, not allowed to become overshadowed by business of less promise, and finally dropped altogether.