Mount Batten Sailing Center

In Brest we encountered a “sailing center” where youngsters were being instructed on all kinds of sailing craft, from windsurfers to catermarans (all modern, very new equipment).

Mount Batten has one as well and it is really great to see all the young people out experiencing sailing activities...undaunted by whatever the weather might be that day.

Full instruction, chase boats, wet suits (de rigor!) and really enthusiatic “kids”, out chasing each other around, flipping boats and getting experience in high tech, very fast sailboats.

I've not seen anything like it in the US.

Yacht Clubs have junior sailing programs, generally with prams (the St Pete club has some pretty impressive equipment, but still doesn't compare), but they pale in comparison to these centers.

Apparently they get some government funding (in the UK the lottery funds are available for “worthwhile” activities).

In the US, boating is associated with wealth, here it doesn't appear to be (imagine US gov funds going to buy boats to train young people with?).

Whatever the differences are, thousands of young Europeans are being introduced to the sport and it is very heartening to someone like me (that has a love of boats and the sea) to watch the enthusiasm of the young knock around in small boats!