The next generation of Bermuda sailors took the big plunge in Hamilton Harbour last week to put their skills to the test sailing in the Optimist Pram.

M1 students from Whitney Institute and Spice Valley Middle Schools successfully completed a four-day extension of the Ministry of Education's WaterWise Programme, which forms part of the Middle School physical education curriculum.

During the course of the week participants aged 11 and 12 were taught the fundamentals of the sport in Opti Simulators on land before putting their newfound skills to practise at sea.

"The kids start out with sailing simulations on dry land first for six to eight hours learning how to move around in the boat so they are not totally cold when they get on the water," said youth sailing coach Paul Doughty.

"We begin with very basic stuff such as straight line sailing, how to tack and gybe, how to right a capsized boat and tie knots."

Doughty said he was pleased by the progress the youngsters had made over the past three months.

"Most of these kids have never been in a sailboat before," he added. "But they have done extremely well and we are really pleased with this group which I think has lots of promise."