Guest of Honour, Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Education unveils the plaque with SingaporeSailing's President Mr Low Teo Ping.

The Singapore Sailing Federation officially launched its SailSmart programme today. The programme is targeted at educating children between the ages of seven and 12 on the environment, the sea, the weather, and various aspects of sport of sailing through a four-day programme of interactive and hands-on activities. SingaporeSailing has invested over the past two years in developing the programme and materials, to purchase and maintain the equipment required and to develop new classroom facilities as well as hiring of additional staff in order to run programme. The programme activities will be conducted in the SailSmart Centre located in the National Sailing Centre, which will be launched in conjunction with the programme.

President of the Singapore Sailing Federation, Mr Low Teo Ping commented, “Singapore Sailing Federation has taken on the SailSmart project with a business-minded approach. We have focused on combining considerations in four distinct aspects, Entrepreneurship, Enterprise, Education and Sports. As a National Sports Association, we are constantly trying to evolve and this programme is a way in which we are trying to develop a business that will be mutually beneficial to the Federation, the sailing community and the participants.”

Entrepreneurship

The SailSmart programme sets an example of how it is possible to bring an element of business into sports in a way that will benefit all parties. The Singapore Sailing Federation took the initiative to invest in the research and development of this comprehensive package which can also be operated by external parties and activated outside of the National Sailing Centre. This will in turn help to develop and grow the sport of sailing in Singapore and children who may not have the opportunity to get into the sport will be able to get a taste of the sport through the programme and learn about the environment around them.

This is also an avenue for the sailing fraternity to have a revenue sustaining system which will in turn help to improve the facilities and training programmes for all sailors and to then raise the level of the sport of sailing here in Singapore.

Enterprise

With the launch of the SailSmart programme, there are jobs created with openings for instructors and administrators to facilitate the running of the programme. The Singapore Sailing Federation has recruited fresh graduates who are then trained to be instructors for the SailSmart programme. These instructors will then run the programme with the participants and ensure that they are under supervision at all times. The SailSmart instructors are all trained in administering first aid and/or first responders trained. The instructor to participant ratio is low, with one instructor to a maximum of five participants.

Also, the SailSmart programme can be operated at other clubs in Singapore who will be able generate revenue from running the programme in their own premises. The Singapore Sailing Federation is also looking to market the programme internationally.

The students of Unity Primary School shares with Mr S Iswaran the sciences they learn at SailSmart.

Education

The programme, which was developed by the Singapore Sailing Federation in consultation with the Ministry of Education and professional education consultants, aims to promote the sport of sailing through the development of knowledge and concerns of the natural environment. These include understanding water safety, the environment, the weather, the tides and decision-making, etc. It also develops important life-skills such as leadership and teamwork in a hands-on environment.  The Singapore Sailing Federation believes that the qualities achieved through sailing will then help young people face the challenges of life.

In this four-day programme, participants are exposed to the ‘sailing environment’ – the sea, waves, coasts, wind and weather through hands-on activities. They are introduced to different types of sailboats and the physics behind how sailboats work. They will experience sailing in a four-person sailboat specially acquired for this programme called the Pacer. Through learning about the techniques of sailing, they will also be educated on the importance of safety.
At the end of the four-day course, participants will -

• experience steering and controlling a boat as well as trimming sails to catch the wind
• have a better understanding of the environment in which they live, the delicate nature of our planet and how we must treat it with respect for our future
• have a better understanding of how the weather works, why the sun will shine or wind will blow, when to carry an umbrella and put on sunscreen
• gain water wisdom and be able to tell their parents why the tide is low or high, when it is  safe to swim and when the current is dangerous
• have a better understanding of how the tides relate to the earth, moon, sun and the planets
• learn how to care for themselves and their equipment
• have acquired the principles of seamanship - to have respect for nature as nature cannot be controlled. We can adapt and trim our sails and face any challenge that life presents
  
• learn the importance of working in a team for success, taking charge and providing leadership of a group to collectively achieve success

Water safety is of utmost importance. Personal floatation devices (i.e. life jackets), helmet and covered footwear are compulsory for all sailing and other water-based activities.  A power boat will also be on the water to cover safety for all water-based activities at all times.

Sports

The Singapore Sailing Federation is hoping to promote the sport of sailing to a greater audience through the SailSmart programme. Through its interactive and hands-on pedagogy, the Federation is looking to engage more students to take up sailing at a young age and have a greater pool of sailors to groom and train to represent the country at the international level. Starting children at a young age gives them the benefits of picking up the necessary skills early on and time to hone their skills to prepare for competitions.

Mr Andrew Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Sailing Federation, said, “The SailSmart programme is a great platform for introducing the sport of sailing to children. It is a very fun and experiential way for children to learn more, not just about the sport, but also to gain knowledge of social studies and science with emphasis on the marine environment such as the sea, the weather and water safety. It is a multi-faceted learning journey for the participants who will, at the same time, pick up sailing which is a great sport to keep fit and healthy and a sport that can be done for life even when you are in your 80s. Through SailSmart, we hope to attract more people to take up sailing and I believe that with a greater pool of sailors who will spur each other on, the standard of the sport here will also be heightened.”

Speeches

Mr Andrew Sanders, SingaporeSailing's Chief Executive Officer

Mr Low Teo Ping, SingaporeSailing's President

Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education

Ms Choy Zhen Fang, Teacher, Tampines North Primary School

More photos - view here

To find out more about the SailSmart programme and how to sign up, please go to www.sailsmart.sg