Benefactor donates sailing boat for club sail training

5:20 AM Sat 14 Nov 2009 GMT

'Ocean Mentor - donated for club training' .

The Southport Yacht Club is opening its arms to a new breed of sailors, all through the extraordinary generosity of a club benefactor.

Successful businessman and passionate yachtie Peter Teakle recently donated the 32ft Sydney racing yacht Ocean Mentor to the club.

Now the SYC wants to crew it with local trainee sailors.

'This is a great opportunity and we want teenagers who would not normally get the chance to sail to put their hands up,' said club commodore Neale Hollier.

'They will receive expert training and reach the stage where they can pursue their love of sailing right through to events such as the Sydney to Hobart classic.'

The Southport club was stunned when Teakle, who is based in Hervey Bay, joined SYC and mentioned that he might be able to 'do something for the club'.

That 'something' turned out to be the donation of a $200,000 ocean racer -- the fourth boat Teakle has donated to clubs across Australia.

Young sailors interested in the SYC mentoring program must be between 14-18 and should write in 25 words or less why they want to learn how to sail and be part of this special sailing team.

Entries can be emailed to: sailing@southportyachtclub.com.au or mailed to Southport Yacht Club Macarthur Parade, Main Beach, Queensland, 4217

by Pat McLeod, goldcoast.com/Sail-World