The Cayman Islands has a very strong maritime tradition, which is not surprising as these Islands were settled by sailors after all. 
 
The Cayman Islands Sailing Club continues the tradition of enjoying the ocean and harnessing the wind. 
 
“We are a club for members as well as a facility for children and adults to learn sailing and windsurfing,” says Mike Weber, who is responsible for the sailing programmes at the club.
 
It is the ideal environment for newcomers to discover the variety of watersports that Cayman is ideally suited for. Especially windsurfing has been experiencing a resurgence of late and although dingies, catamarans and yachts will always remain a staple for the club, the first step is getting out onto the water.
 
During the summer months the club hosts very popular summer sailing camps for children, introducing a new generation of sailors to the ocean. With Cayman having been represented in the Olympic Games by numerous sailors throughout the years, with the most recent being in the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia, there is certainly scope for growth in the sport.
 
Once the summer camps are over, it will be time for the adults to take to the water as they learn to sail and windsurf when classes take off again in September. Windsurfing is real grass-roots sailing - just you, a sail and a board - making it an easy way to get into sailing, even though you might get wet a little more often.
 
For those who want to get a taste of what the club is all about, Summer Nights at the Cayman Islands Yacht Club is the ideal event.
 
“We will have live music on our deck, drinks specials and free sailboat rentals for parents and their children. It is open to the public, not just members, as it is meant to promote sailing and the club and encourage people to come sail or just hang out here,” says Mike.
 
The next two editions of the twice-monthly event will take place on 13 and 27 August. The festivities kick off at 5pm and go until 8pm, which makes it the perfect opportunity to get in some sailing before watching the sunset with something cool. Sailing is after all part sport, part pastime, and part social event. This makes the club an excellent hangout for all those who know their way around ropes and knots as well as those who might still need some help tying their shoelaces.   WH

 
To find the club, head east past Grand Harbour, turn left at Selkirk Drive and follow the CISC signs to the club. For more information, visit sailing.ky