BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Dec. 10, 2015–The newly formed Malanti Blak Bud Sailing Club (MBBSC) of Gales Point Manatee was introduced to the Optimist dinghies last weekend of December 5th and 6th.

This was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Tammy Lemus, BzSA Board Member and owner of the San Pedro Sailing Club.

Mrs. Myrna Manzanarez, President of the MBBSC, made a call for assistance with boats, and Mrs. Tammy Lemus wasted no time in providing four (4) Optimist dinghies on loan to Gales Point Manatee.

Some twenty (20) youths, ranging in ages from 6-15 years, braved the cold and rainy days with the, enthusiasm matched only by their elders.

The village of Gales Point Manatee has in the past produced some of the best sailboat racers in the country. With a strong tradition for the 16ft wooden racing dories like Janice Y, Samantha, Elma B, Goldfinch, Martin L, Sylvia, Gilda J, just to name a few, Gales Point Manatee has benefitted from the wisdom and leadership of the greats like the late Walter Goff and Sir George Brown. Men like Eckert Lewis, Dean Lindo and others used their influence and resources to imprint sailing in the DNA of this coastal community.

The Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) would therefore like to especially thank Mrs. Tammy Lemus for her generosity, the residents of Gales Point Manatee for their hospitality, Mrs. Myrna Manzanarez for her leadership, and BzSA Training Officer Mr. Trenton Miller for his vision of keeping the tradition of sailing alive in Gales Point Manatee.