Sailing project attracts international interest

JULIA WADE

Mangawhai Rotary Club’s (MRC) youth sailing project has not only brought a new challenge and set of skills to young locals, the initiative has also attracted the attention of Rotary International, based halfway round the world in Chicago.

MRC spokesperson, Dennis Emsley, has been asked to write a story on the ‘Learn to Sail’ project with local photographer Nina Gastreich contracted to catch the young sailors in action. Their work will be published on the International Rotary website as well as presented at the organisation’s 2023 conference, to show alternative ways how Rotary clubs worldwide can inspire and support youth.

“Rotary head office got in contact and were really interested, they thought the Learn to Sail was a unique project in Rotary as no other club has offered sailing classes to youth before,” Emsley says. “Of course they’ve never heard of Mangawhai, but now our little satellite club has got some global recognition.”