IF YOU can’t afford a multi-million dollar maxi-yacht, you can still get into competitive sailing for a fraction of the cost at the Phuket Yacht Club.

The club has started racing Optimist mini-dinghies, and the sport is attracting scores of sailors, both young and old.

The dinghies are ideal for both learners and experienced sailors, and they are a great way for fathers to teach their sons the art of sailing.

The smaller boats are also fuelling a resurgence of interest in the PYC.

Three years ago, the 39-year-old club was on the verge of bankruptcy, and there were fears it couldn’t muster rent money for its beachfront clubhouse.

But a group of loyal sailors came to the rescue with financial backing, and the club is now sailing clear of those murky financial waters.

The PYC held its first Dinghy Regatta off Ao Yon Beach last month, and is planning to make it a regular monthly event.

Last month’s Dinghy Regatta drew a wide assortment of sailors, ranging from long-term club members, to tourists, locals, and youngsters keen to follow in their dads’ footsteps.

Sailors from ACYC came from Chalong in their brightly colored Hobie Cats, and Mak Sarawark sailed down from Nai Yang, on the island’s north, for the event.

“I wasn’t going to miss this unique opportunity,” he said.

The racing fleet included single and double handed, mono-hulls and multi-hull boats, and a handicap system was in place to give everyone an equal chance.

JJ Harvey, one of the clubs volunteers, and his girlfriend Chloe have volunteered for the club every Sunday for the past six months.

“It’s a great club to be a part of, and we are both more than happy to be here every weekend,” he said.

Pelle Johansson, a 50-year sailing veteran and his sons, Philip, 12, and Jonas, 10, put in a noble performance in their Topaz Omega mono-hull yacht.

The boys were full of spirits, and puffed out their chests when relaying their responsibilities onboard.

“We both help with the jib and spinnaker,” said Phillip.

Both boys are already accomplished sailors, and they are keen to continue sailing on Phuket.

“We will keep practicing and improving our skills,” said Jonas.

Club secretary, Kate Gooch, is also keen to see the kids improve their skills.

She runs Topper Sail Phuket, which has a range of training courses for both kids and adults who want to learn to sail.

The courses are accredited and recognized by the National School Sailing Association.
“We want to get adult dinghy sailing off the ground in Phuket, we want adults to take the sport seriously and, in turn, get their kids interested,” she said.

The PYC already has 20 sailing dinghies, and 12 new boats have been donated to the club by the Thai Yachting Association (TYA).

Eddie Aspinall, 9, who was on holiday with his family from Essex, England, jumped at the chance to compete.

“I’ve done a two day course in England, but I love it out here,” he said.

“Phuket’s a great place to learn to sail.”

“We all thoroughly enjoyed the regatta,” said his mother, Marion.

“I don’t think there will be any problems making this event a regular fixture.”

Adam Bowers, the British national junior cadet team coach, who is in Phuket after competing in the Kings Cup Regatta, has offered to host training sessions for both the PYC and the Ao Chalong Yacht Club.

He is impressed with Phuket’s sailing waters, and says there is no reason this area couldn’t establish itself as a world-class training location for competitive sailors.

The next Dinghy Regatta will be on January 25.

For further information, visit www.phuketyachtclub.info, e-mail

phuketyachtclub@gmail.com or call Kate on 085 215 9185.