Youth Gear up for Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge with SEASTAR

Tall Ships from around the world will sail into Halifax on Thursday, July 16 and more than 50 Nova Scotia youth will participate in Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge with SEASTAR.

The SEASTAR Society is Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2009's charity of choice. It gives youth the opportunity to experience Tall Ships through the eyes of traditional seafarers. The society began in 2007 and launched a pilot program with 20 participants in 2008.

The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 is an odyssey around the North Atlantic Ocean of more than 7,000 nautical miles. The theme of the challenge is international understanding and friendship. On Monday, July 20, ships head to Belfast, Ireland for the last leg of the race. More than 1,500 crew members are participating internationally.

Participants are sponsored by youth-focused organizations. SEASTAR assists with costs and handles the logistics of the voyage.

"I've only ever been on a tour of the Tall Ships and I've never sailed," said Angela MacKenzie, a 15 year-old participant. "I think the learning experience of sailing a Tall Ship will be amazing."

MacKenzie will take part in a three-week journey on the Virginia Schooner vessel from New London to Halifax, and will continue on to Portland, Me.

"Sail training is recognized as a powerful learning opportunity for helping young people build self-confidence," said Dr. Sheila Brown, chair of The SEASTAR Society. "The lessons learned aboard a ship can be transferred to the trainee's everyday life and help them achieve their goals."

SEASTAR will be a prominent part of the Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2009 event. There will be a SEASTAR booth at Sackville Landing on the Halifax Waterfront daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Proceeds from public pancake breakfasts on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, will be donated to the organization.

On Saturday, July 18, SEASTAR youth will parade along Lower Water Street as part of the Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2009 Crew Parade.

"Knowing that young Nova Scotians are gaining life and sailing experiences as part of this incredible international gathering makes the event even more special," said Colin MacLean, president and CEO of Waterfront Development Corporation Limited. "Supporting the efforts of SEASTAR is very rewarding.”

For more information about The SEASTAR Society e-mail info@seastarsociety.ca or call 902-405-7700. Trainees interested in the 2010 program should visit seastarsociety.ca in October 2009.

For more information on Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2009 including event schedules and race updates, visit www.tallshipsnovascotia.com .