The South African Ocean Racing Trust is again offering bursaries to promising young sailors to assist them in obtaining RYA (or SAS) skipper's tickets.

The Bursary Scheme

The South African Ocean Racing Trust wishes to invite applications for a limited number of scholarships to deserving individuals in order to assist them in obtaining SAS (South African Sailing) or RYA (Royal Yachting Association) approved Certificates of Competence ("skippers tickets"). The SAORT has allocated certain funds for this financial year for scholarships and intends to obtain the maximum number and quality of qualified individuals from this allocation.

Applications, in writing, should be addressed to The SA Ocean Racing Trust, 2 Guinea Fowl Close, Silverhurst Estate, Constantia, 7806 and must be received by the 31st October 2008. Applications must include the following details:

* Name
* Postal Address (and e-mail if available)
* Telephone number
* Date of Birth
* Details of course (name of establishment, approximate dates, description of course) and type of skipper's ticket to be obtained.
* Details of sailing experience and qualifications to date
* The future intended use of the Certificate of Competence
* Any other background that may be pertinent.
* A letter of support from the individual's club commodore, school principal or person of similar stature who is able to vouch for the individuals "bona fides" in applying for this scholarship

The SAORT will grant scholarships to individuals who in the Trustee's sole opinion are best suited to benefit from the scholarship and who hold the best prospects for supporting the SAORT's objectives of "the promotion and fostering of ocean and off-shore racing and sailing in any part of the world."

The SAORT is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation with the registered activity of "Sport" which is defined as "The administration, development, co-ordination or promotion of sport or recreation in which the participants take part on a non-professional basis as a pastime." Therefore bursaries may not be granted to individuals intending to use the bursary to further a profession or career.

Successful applicants will be required to complete the course and obtain the Certificate of Competence applied for within a 12 month period of the scholarship being granted. Failure to obtain the Certificate applied for may render the applicant liable to refund the scholarship in full. Payment of the scholarship by the SAORT will only be made directly to an established and recognised sailing school or testing facility.

The Good Hope Sailing Academy, Ocean Sailing Academy, Sunsail and Yachtmaster Ocean Services have all indicated their intentions to make special offers available to SAORT bursary holders.

The SAORT would therefore tend to support applications through these academies, or any other academy that is prepared make a similar offer, in order to achieve the Trust's goals of maximising the number and quality of individuals obtaining their Certificates of Competency