The KATS sailing program is the premier sailing course taught in the BVI's. Every year the program has a waiting list for enrollment due to the success that the progam has enjoyed over the past sixteen years. The classes are broken down into three levels according to the skills that the students have and they are moved either up or down levels according to how they perform.
Level one is the entry level where beginning students are taught the basics of sailing, boat terminology, knot tying, and tested on the handbooks that they receive. As the student progresses, they are introduced to the boat, how to rig, and then off they go (with a student instructor) onboard one of the Laser sailboats that KATS uses as a trainer boat.
Level two is the next step that a student advances, where they sail on their own, learn more about how the wind interacts with the sail, how to trim the sail accordingly, and basic boat tacking and jybing. Towards the end of the students course in level two, they are introduced to "fun" racing, where they pit themselves against the highly skilled level three sailors, who help them along to fine tune what the level two students have learned.
Level three students are the top tier sailors of the program who participate in races both at the KATS regular sailing sessions and also compete in many regattas over the season on Tortola. Many of the level three sailors also compete in the IC 24 class races that go year round here in Tortola.
The "grand finale" for the KATS sailing program is the Chief Ministers Cup, held here on Tortola, which brings in youths from all over the Caribbean for a three day event. They compete in IC 24's to see who is the best team in the Carribbean. A great end to the Sailing program for the year, and one that competitors look forward to every year.
The KATS sailing program has their own sailing center located in West End and their boat inventory consists of thirteen Lasers, two IC 24's, and three instructor chase boats. The program is currently seeking some of the Opti class boats for the level one sailors.
Get your feet wet and join in the fun of sailing!