The Endeavour Community Sailing Program has announced the selection of the O’Pen BIC dinghy for the new community effort geared towards inspiring Bermuda youths to take up sailing.

The programme will operate from bases on the eastern and western ends of the Island, beginning late in the summer.

“The O’Pen BIC is obviously perfect for community sailing programmes for it’s durability and low cost, but most importantly, the children love them and just want to sail more,” Nevin Sayre, BIC Sport North America spokesman, said.

“Based on the success of the O’Pen BIC Hi-Wind Slalom held in conjunction with the last America’s Cup in San Francisco, it’s a natural that we would support this, and it will be cool to see local Bermuda youth taking part in the 2017 O’Pen BIC event at the America’s Cup.”

Founded in 1979 by the Bich family, of BIC Pen Fame, BIC Sport have been the world market leader in windsurfing for more than 20 years and have expanded their line to include a variety of watersports equipment including surfboards, kayaks, paddleboards, and the famous O’Pen BIC.

“The O’Pen BIC is a very fun boat to sail. It’s light, it’s fast, it’s exciting and that makes it an ideal platform to get children hooked on the sport,” Tom Herbert-Evans, who manages the Endeavour Program, said. “If we can make their first experience on the water a thrill, they’ll keep coming back,”

Several dozen youth sailors have already experienced a first taste of the Endeavour Program during a test session for some of the new boats.

Jada Philips, from Somerset, had a chance to sail with Oracle Team USA’s Andrew Campbell.

“It was really fun. It was cool getting to know Andrew and learning about the sport. It’s really exciting to have the America’s Cup in Bermuda and I can’t wait to see it,” Philips said.