Water Sports |10 March 2020
The kayak presentation ceremony
STS welcomes 10 new K1 mini kayaks and one RS Venture to its fleet
Being a small island country surrounded by water, it has always been the aim of the national sports authority and water sports federation to emphasise on promoting aquatic events as one of the country’s forte, not only at regional, but also at continental level.
In line with this goal, the Seychelles Canoeing Association (SCA) and the Seychelles Yachting Association (SYA) which both function under the umbrella of the Sail Training Scheme (STS) have received new equipment which will boost their youth development programmes, thus ensuring the good maintenance and bright future of water sports locally.
The SCA has received 10 new K1 mini kayaks, while the SYA has acquired a brand new RS Venture sailing boat which will go towards the cause.
The Hungarian-made KAPE branded mini kayak is designed for young paddlers from the age of 13 years old and is the best choice to learn the principles of kayaking and also for them to obtain and improve the right techniques and to gain stability before changing to K1 sprint kayaks.
The mini K1 also provides the right sport equipments for junior trainers and coaches of kayak schools to show the beauty in canoe and kayak sports, while passing the spirit to the new generation.
The 10 new kayaks have been jointly sponsored by the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) through the Olympic Solidarity annual grant and the National Sports Council (NSC).
Socga president Antonio Gopal and NSC chief executive Jean Larue yesterday handed over the kayaks to the SCA chairman and coach Philip Albert during a small ceremony at the STS office at Roche Caïman, in the presence of Socga’s secretary general Alain Alcindor who is also the director for water sports and a group of young paddlers who will benefit from the new equipment.
During the same ceremony, Mr Larue also handed over the new RX Venture sailing boat to coach and seasoned sailor Allan Julie who will have the task of introducing the boat to his young recruits.
The RS Venture is equipped with a lifting bulb keel for exceptional security and seaworthiness and it offers training centres a secure, multi-person boat for confidence-inspiring tuition.
Handing over the kayaks, Mr Gopal highlighted the commitment of Socga in contributing towards the development of sports in the country, especially water sports, since we are surrounded by water.
Youngsters urged to take up water sports
On behalf of the NSC, Mr Larue praised the joint effort between the two organisations in the development of sports, especially towards the growth and success of the young athletes.
Accepting the new equipment, coach Albert thanked both parties for their help in acquiring the kayaks which he promised will be in good hands and will be used wisely to boost the development of canoeing in the country.
As for coach Julie, he said the new boat has come at an opportune time as the one which was previously in use since 1981 was no longer at the required standard.
He also encouraged parents to allow their children to take up water sports so that the country can boast a healthy new generation of sailors and paddlers.
Being involved with canoeing for the past 30 years, level three coach Albert, who is presently working on achieving his fourth level, said the future of the sport is quite bright and that there are actually over 30 paddlers registered with the STS.
He noted that due to his hectic schedule which involves development programme, coaching and running the SCA, he concentrates more on the newcomers, while adopting a more professional approach towards the older paddlers who receive their daily training programme via WhatsApp.
He is also inviting more kids, along with their parents to join the sport which he has described as fun and family-oriented.
Canoeing and sailing make Seychelles proud
Not rated among the country’s top sporting disciplines, canoeing had on several occasions made Seychelles proud, especially through Tony Lespoir who made a name for himself at both local and international levels.
The next local canoeing sensation is his son Trevor Lespoir who brought home two bronze medals from the Arab Championship and the African Youth Championship held in the city of new Alamein, in Egypt in late December last year.
Lespoir teamed up with Carlo Marzocchi to win the bronze medals in the K2 200m and 1000m races at the continental event jointly hosted by the Egyptian Canoe and Kayak Federation and the Confederation of African Canoeing (CAC), gathering paddlers from 13 African countries.
Water sports was once again the highlight of local sports late last year when Laser Standard sailor Rodney Govinden became the first Seychellois athlete to qualify for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, after winning the Laser gold medal at the 2019 African Championship RSX and Laser.
With three first places, five second places, one third place, one 10th place and one 11th position; after his two worst finishes – 10th and 11th places – were discarded, Govinden earned a nett score of 22 points which were enough to book his flight to Tokyo.
This year’s Games will be his second after competing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016 where he finished 45th overall.
The achievement also crowned him as Sportsman of the Year 2019, his second title after winning it in 2015.
Coach Julie is holding the record for most crowns won – seven altogether – after winning in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2011 and 2016.
Tony Lespoir won the title in 2008, while female sailor Barbara Habayeb became the first ever Sportswoman of the Year in 1985.
In the youth category, Meggy Gertrude was crowned Young Female athlete of the Year in 2007.
The STS is always welcoming new members and the only requirement is that they must know how to swim.
Roland Duval
