Sail for charity at this year’

Photo: YouTube/
True Blue Surf Travel

Sail for charity at this year’s Great Optimist Race [video]

Instead of completely cancelling the race, a new, global “COVID-compliant” challenge has been launched by the Little Optimist Global Race.

Sail for charity at this year’

Photo: YouTube/
True Blue Surf Travel

The Little Optimist Global Race is challenging South Africans to sail an Optimist Dinghy for charity this October.

Yes, the invite-only event is now open to all – “in any body of water, anywhere in the world, in an Optimist dinghy”, between 9 and 18 October. It is said that for the past two years, the by-invitation-only Great Optimist Race has been held in Cape Town, and has involved experienced sailors, celebrities and more sailing for charity and the work of the Little Optimist Trust. Now, the health pandemic meant the postponement of Boatica Cape Town 2020, the traditional race host. Instead of completely cancelling the race, a new, global challenge has been launched.

One of the biggest sailing classes in the world

“Optimist Sailing (a small, single-handed sailing dinghy) is one of the biggest sailing classes in the world – there is a network of more than 150 000 registered Optimists in 120 countries around the globe,” reads the event’s official description. “Many of us — including great sailors, CEOs, sportspeople, celebrities, moms, dads and kids around the world – first learned to sail in an Optimist Dinghy, and these fantastic little boats still hold a special place in many of our hearts”.

That’s why sailing-enthusiasts are encouraged to “enter, raise funds for charity, track the race, have fun and help inspire at-risk youth”.

The Little Optimist Trust, which has a sailing academy at Cape Town’s Zeekoeivlei Yacht Club, will have their Optimist fleet race ready on selected days between 9 and18 October. 

Here they will also aim to take the work of their sailing academy a step further as the funds raised by The Little Optimist Global Race 2020 for the Trust will be used to cover the costs for 50 children to attend their sailing academy.

“I’m so excited to challenge everyone to climb into a Little Optimist children’s dinghy, and sail it for charity, fun and inspiration,” Greg Bertish, the founder of the Little Optimist Trust, said. “Even COVID will not stop the Little Optimist and his friends from sailing to raise funds for our foundation and many others.”

Sailing for charity

To enter, contact them and book a time to race for charity!