Off To Portugal, For The Teen Members Of The GHSC

Justin Pinder, 18 and Kenneth Davis, 15 are off to Portugal - Photos by The Eleutheran News Agency

(Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera) - Two Eleuthera young men are off to Europe proudly sporting the emblems of the Governor’s Harbour Sailing Club (GHSC) and with the proud support of the community.

A small group of friends, family and GHSC members  gathered at Governor's Harbour airport on Wednesday afternoon, July 14,  to see Justin Pinder, 18 and Kenneth Davis, 15 of the GHSC, begin their exciting trek across The Atlantic  to Lisbon, Portugal as guests of the Lisbon Sailing Club for two weeks, with their chaperones, Mark and Missy Kennedy (Commodore and Secretary with the GHCS).

(L-R), Glenda Johnson of The Eleuthera Tourism Office, Miss Kennedy of The GHSC,  Bob Colman, Rear Commodore GHSC; Kenneth Davis; Justin Pinder;  Mark Kennedy, Commodore GHSC; Mr. Paul Simmons President, GHSC; Jacqueline Gibson, General Manager (Acting), Eleuthera Toursim Office; Lawrence Griffin, Director and Honourary Member, GHCS.

Ms. Jacqueline Gibson Acting Manager of the Eleuthera Tourism Office presented a gift for the young men to pass on to their hosts.  Moms, Dorothy Jones (Justin) and Kathy Davis (Kenneth) were there with proud smiles for their achieving sons. Longtime supporters and sponsors, Mr. Paul Simmons (President, GHSC), Mr. Lawrence Griffin (Director and Honourary Member, GHCS) and Mr. Bob Colman (Rear Commodore, GHCS) were also there to aid in the send off of Justin and Kenneth.

Gift being presented by Jacqueline Gibson, General Manager (Acting) Eleuthera Toursim Office to sailors Kenneth Davis; Justin Pinder and  Mark Kennedy (Commodore GHSC) for transport to Portugal to be further presented to their hosts.

It’s an exciting next step for the young sailors, who continue to grow in the sport.  They have been a part of the Governor’s Harbour sailing club since its inception in August of 2007 and have both made tremendous achievements in sailing – participating in a number of inter-island and national competitions during the past several years.

As guests of Mr. and Mrs. Antonios Luz Rodrigues of the Lisbon Sailing Club for the next two weeks, the boys will be exposed to international champions and first rate equipment, further preparing them for national competition later this year.  Missy also shared that she looks forward to exposing the boys to the Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha) of Lisbon, which exhibits include historical paintings, archaeological items and many scale models of ships used in Portugal since the 15th century.

Young Sailors stand with their proud mothers.

In talking with The Eleutheran, just before boarding their flight, they both seemed filled with anticipation for their upcoming adventure to Portugal – their first voyage beyond Florida.  Kenneth expressed, “When I first went to Nassau for sailing, I made the statement that – sailing would take me around the world – and it is – today!”

Justin is a fresh graduate of the Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS) this June and plans to go on to BTVI this Fall, to begin studies in drafting.  Kenneth begins grade ten (10) in September at CEHS.