Today brings information updates from Belize Sailing School and Saga Humane Society, two great organizations that do a lot of good on the island. SAGA is a long time favorite of many and helps the less fortunate animals of Ambergris Caye. Their ‘It’s Hip to Snip’ campaign has been an ongoing success and helped keep the stray animal population under control.

The Belize Sailing School is relatively new and taking off with flying colors. Now, kids at the popular San Pedro Sailing club are able to train on Laser boats which will qualify them for the Olympics, if they have the desire to go that far. Many locals and tourists have also been enjoying the wide range of water based activities offered by the sailing school located on the beach at Caribbean Villas Hotel.

The Baron Bliss Harbor Regatta Committee is proud to announce the 87th Belize City Regatta

The Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta Committee proudly invites the general public to the BTL Park, New Town Barracks to witness the 87th Regatta. The series of boat races will run from 11 AM –  3 PM on Saturday March 7th, and Sunday March 8th, 2015. Over 50 boats are expected in the Optimist, Laser, other one design classes, as well as the Traditional Lighters, Sailing Dory and Seagull. Sea Scouts Bosuns will open the course with the first race on Sunday.

Last year in the Lighter class, United defeated the long standing champion Radio. In the Optimist Class the youngest ever to sail single handed on the traditional course was two 8 year olds, CJ from Placencia Sailing Club, and Malik Jones from Caye Caulker.

The 87th Regatta will have the Optimist sailing nearer to the BTL Park and for the first time, in close cooperation with the Belize City Council, live commentary from the race course.

Chairman of the Committee is Basil Coleman. Principal Race Officer is Douglas Gabourel. Primary sponsor is the Baron Bliss Trust and the Office of the Governor General. Other sponsors are: Euro Caribe and Print Belize. On Parade will also be the Belize Coast Guard and the Ports Authority.

All are invited to attend the Wreathe Laying Ceremony at the Baron Bliss Tomb, Fort Point at 8 AM on Monday, March 9th.
Registration or more information from Douglas Gabourel – 621-7782.

Belize Sailing Association Event Calendar

The difference between the two types of regattas on the calendar is that the 5 regattas with National Ranking implications form the 2015 series of regattas that will determine Belize’s 2015 Optimist Dinghy Sailor of the Year, and other honors as well. The invitational regattas are just for the pleasure of participating. They remind all that the first rule of sailing is to have fun.

You will note that one of the invitationals, the Corozal Bay Regatta, has already taken place. Twenty four sailors entered and raced. Belize City Sailing Club’s Antonio Ricardez, edged out the reigning National Champion Blanca Velasquez of San Pedro Junior Sailing Club to take home the trophy. The winner’s sister, Nashira Ricardez, from the same club, took 3rd place, and Belize Sea Scouts’ Trent Hardwick came in 4th.

The above information Respectfully submitted, Forrest Jones, Public Relations Officer, Belize Sailing Association.

BzSA 2015 sailing and racing calendar

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SAGA Humane Society keeps it’s promise to RC School Students

Roman Catholic School Students Humane Education Seminars Set For The Next Eight Weeks

(San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize) Roman Catholic School students were in awe of little Trooper on Monday and Tuesday of last week as they learned about this little puppy, abused and abandoned fighting for his life. They learned of Troopers story while attending a Humane Education program delivered by Sandie Betz-Eisenberg, Saga Director of Humane Education. Troopers story is a success, but a sad reality, and that is why this education program is so vital to the enrichment of our community, states Betz-Eisenberg.

While on vacation from Canada, two visitors discovered a very disturbing scene while walking on the beach. “A group of boys on the beach were throwing him around like a football”, Julie said as she arrived at Saga Humane Society with this tiny near death puppy in her arms. “I just had to take him.” “Do you think he will live?” Trooper was in such bad shape, he couldn’t lift his head or walk. He was covered with fleas, ticks, full of hookworms, starving and very dehydrated. It took 24 hours for him to respond to the treatment given at Saga and he finally wagged his tail, but he had a long road to a full recovery.

After hearing about Trooper, the students discussed humane treatment of animals, cruelty and kindness. When asked what does every cat and dog need every day, students answered food, shelter, water medicine and love. The students learned about the importance of being a good dog and cat owner, what Saga Humane Society does, and what to do if they see an animal that is sick or being abused. Kathy Marin, Saga Director of Animal of Well-Being was on hand for Monday’s presentation and reminded students that humane education and learning to be kind is the key to being a good pet owner and a great neighbor. To round out the afternoon, all students were able to pet Trooper. One student, Aaron, announced that he would one day become a Veterinarian.

The Saga Humane Education program will run for eight weeks in total and will be presented to each classroom at the RC School. The interactive presentation highlights kindness to animals and each other, and the importance of spaying and neutering all the animals on the island. Students learned that you should never buy a puppy or kitten, when there are already so many animals in San Pedro without good loving homes. They agreed that the best way to get a pet was to adopt one from Saga.

About SAGA Humane Society

Saga Humane Society was founded in 1999 to monitor and control the cat and dog populations on Ambergris Caye. Through assisted cost spay/neuter, adoption, and the humane education program, Saga improves the general health and well being of domestic and wild animals on Ambergris Caye.

Saga Humane Society is the only non-profit, non-governmental organization, on Ambergris Caye established to prevent animal cruelty and replace it with kindness to all animals. Saga, a full service hospital, and house pharmacy, provides medical care and shelter to animals in need and subsidizes veterinary care for low-income families. Saga operates the island’s only non-profit veterinary clinic, conducting ongoing spay/neuter and vaccination campaigns, animal adoption and public education programs.

Future plans include the construction of a permanent animal clinic/education center in Ambergris Caye, Belize, furthering the Saga mission of attaining a long-term solution to end animal abuse, neglect and overpopulation.

Saga press release sent in by volunteer and Saga supporter Dawn LoCascio.

RC school students learning about proper humane treatment of animals from SAGA volunteers