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Young Achievers: Aidyn and Tyler make waves

11 Jun 2018

Aidyn Park, 12, and Tyler Correira, 11, secured places on an exchange programme with Endeavour Community Sailing and the U.S. Sailing Reach Programme in Newport, Rhode Island, during the Volvo Ocean Race. The pair secured their spots because of their outstanding achievements in the Endeavour Graduate Programme, part of the legacy of last year’s America’s Cup.

The two, accompanied by Joshua Greenslade, representing Endeavour Community Sailing, participated in the US Sailing Reach STEMcation initiative and joining two US Sailing Reach Initiative students from the Kauai Sailing Association (Hawaii) and two students from the Community Boating Center of New Bedford (Mass.) for a four-day STEM/sailing experience of a lifetime.

The Endeavour Graduate Programme enables students who participate in the Endeavour Middle School Programme with an opportunity to continue to advance their sailing skills. Students are selected based on their excellence in key areas — teamwork, respect for others, listening skills, willingness to learn and overall effort.

Aidyn and Tyler had to submit an application form to explain why they were interested in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education through sailing to be considered for the experience of a lifetime.

Aidyn, a pupil at Dellwood Middle School, and Tyler, of Sandys Middle School, spent five days in Newport last month. They sailed and also learnt about boat building, and the environment of Rhode Island with lessons focused on ocean conservation.

Aidyn said: “It was fun. I enjoyed the sailing part the most and learning about team racing. I liked going in and seeing how boat parts are made.”

He added: “I decided to join the programme because I love sailing and I want to learn more about it. I want to carry on with the programme and I’d like to race one for the America’s Cup boats — you have to be strong and have stamina.”

Tyler said: “My favourite thing was going to see how the boats were manufactured. I also enjoyed going sailing on the boats and going on the Volvo Ocean Race boats.

“During the Endeavour Middle School Programme, we went blo’karting. It’s like sailing on land — it’s like a go-kart but you use it for sailing. It shows you how to use a wheel, but you use a tiller for sailing. You still have to use your sail so it helps you to learn about wind direction.”

Tyler added: “I want to carry on sailing. I’d like to get into racing, but not for a career, more as a hobby.”

They visited the Ocean Exploration Zone at the Volvo Ocean Race Village, Zim Sailing, the International Yacht Restoration School, Roger Williams University’s Mount Hope Bay Sailing and Education Center, the Community Boating Center in Providence, the New England Science & Sailing Foundation, and the Audubon Society Nature Reserve. 

They also met Bermudian Emily Nagel, a Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Team BDA sailor, who went on to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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