Respond Minister’s call to promote sailing

KOTA KINABALU: World Sailing International Judge Leonard Chin supports Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew’s call to sailing associations to promote sailing as a form of sports tourism to boost revenue.

He hopes that the Sabah Sailing Association (SAILA) can present a plan of action that can promote Sabah as an attractive “must visit” sailing destination.

“The economic impact of yachting and sailing is huge in successful sailing destinations such as Langkawi, Phuket and Pattaya,” he said.

Chin was commenting on the Minister’s call for sailing associations in Sabah to work closely with the Government in promoting sports tourism, when closing the recent 33rd Kinabalu Yacht Club (KYC) Harvest Festival & Sabah Fest Open Day Regatta 2019.

On Liew’s observation that sailing is a family sport with the kids sailing in smaller boats, he said this is very much the case in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and America, adding “These are the sailors Sabah should attract.”

The Minister noted that there were teams from Hong Kong and Negara Brunei where parents came along to support their children. “It’s amazing that a sailing competition can be for sailors as young as seven years to senior citizens aged even up to 80 years.”

Enlightening the Minister on sailing boats, Chin said there is a huge worldwide interest in racing, using the popular Laser class. He is confident that organising a sailing event in Sabah with this class will always attract participation from abroad. “To participate, the tourist sailor need only bring a rolled-up sail, and charter a boat from one of the yacht clubs or from the Sabah Sailing Association. When visiting sailors charter sailing boats, this provides revenue to sports-related associations like Sabah Sailing Association to finance their activities.”

In contrast, he said, high performance sailors may come many days before the event to train in the local conditions and to familiarise themselves with the venue, sea and wind patterns. “These sailors may bring their coaches along, and may stay over after the event and go trekking or even climb Mount Kinabalu. So this translates to value-added tourists who will not just come for a few days.”

As for keelboats, these are larger open sea-going sailing boats which are crewed,  depending on the size, from two to as many as 20 on board. According to Chin, this class of sailing sports tourism has not kicked off in Sabah “because primarily, the yachts that visit Sabah are recreational yachts”.

However, he pointed out, this has now become a major sports tourism big income-earner in the Peninsula, especially in Langkawi. Against this scenario, he said Sabah needs to develop this high income-generating yachting industry by building more marinas to attract visiting yachtsmen.

“The visiting yachtsmen will typically stay for weeks and are the affluent tourists who will spend considerably on hotels, restaurants, hire of services, marina facilities and inbound tour services. Typically, they may leave their yacht at a marina and go sightseeing or exploring or even fly domestically to various points of interest in Sabah before continuing their journey,” Chin added.

Having been judging from America, Europe, Asia and Australia, he rates the waters of Kota Kinabalu as one of the best sailing venues. He cited five important reasons :

* The all-year tropical climate makes sailing possible with no difficult winter season.

* Our sea is warm comparatively. Children or inexperienced sailors need not fear falling into the sea while sailing as there is no immediate danger.

* Tanjung Aru is one of the safest sailing venues as it is on the lee side of the strong North-East Monsoon which brings up huge waves. During the South-West Monsoon, the waves lose power before they reach Tanjung Aru. Sailing competitions can therefore be carried out throughout the year.

* KK is blessed with scenic islands to race around.

* The proximity of an international airport with excellent connections to the sailing venue. From KKIA to the venue is just 15 minutes.

While conceding that sailing is a green sport as it only uses the wind, the currents and the waves to propel the boat in a race, Chin opined that what is just lacking is a marine industry to support visiting yachtsmen as well as more marinas to berth visiting yachts.

Meanwhile, he offered to give sailing lessons to the Minister for free, given her interest.

“I hope she accepts my offer,” he quipped.

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