New fleet for Oriental

[Tom Lathrop]

Yesterday we had a blessing of the new Optimist Pram fleet in Oriental, NC.  Several of us local woodworkers and boatbuilders built 12 Optimist Prams for a kid's sailing program that will start in a week here.  By doing all the building work, getting sponsors for individual boats, a RIB for the instructor and other gear, the program got jump started after years of thinking and talking about it.  Others volunteered to paint the boats and still more rigged them.  A lady who lives alonside the state launching ramp is allowing a storage rack and dockboxes to be placed on her property.  I think they look great.

Some scholarships were also donated for kids that otherwise could not afford the 2 week classes.  We have both ASA and a US Sailing qualified instructors to run the program.  It is starting out as a for profit program to allow earnings for the instructors and get it started sooner.  Less red tape.

A local restaurant opened up on a normally closed day and provided a great meal for all celebrants at the blessing.

Not too shabby for a little village at the end of the road.

Oh yes, the boats are named for the Seven Dwarfs plus Wacky, Yacky, Cloudy and a couple I can't remember/  The RIB instructors boat is Snow White.

[paul_stewart]

Wow!  That is cooler than cool.  Well done Oriental! 

[Hirilonde]

Very cool indeed!  What a great community endeavor.

[Greg Luckett]

Graham or Carla or maybe both had told me the Optimus project was underway.  It is a very great thing to do this for the kids and the community.

[Ken_Potts]

Congratulations Tom and everyone else involved!  The fleet looks great.  I hope the program helps lots of kids to get on the water.