500 Sails and Northern Marianas College’s Community Development Institute held a celebratory lunch and closing exercise on Saturday for participants in the Lalayak Program.
The Lalayak Program, jointly run by 500 Sails and NMC-CDI, is an introductory course on sailing Chamorro canoes produced by 500 Sails. Since its launch on June 21, participants have learned the history of traditional sailing in the Marianas, sailing knots, canoe maneuvering, canoe capsizing and righting, among other small boat sailing skills. They were also required to complete at least 10 practice sails with 500 Sails through its Saturday Sails program or Crowne Plaza sails.
Upon completion, participants are allowed to sail 500 Sails canoes in the lagoon for personal enjoyment, and may also be invited to sail beyond the reef to Tinian or take part in other events organized by 500 Sails.
On Sept. 27, the students sailed from Garapan to the Guma Sakman in Susupe as their “exit exam,” without 500 Sails staff supervision.
Graduates of the program include Chaime Tudela, Kathleen Yamagata, CNMI Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho, Andrea Roberto, Torohn Manglona, and Nicole Somol. Other students in the cohort can still complete the program once they finish their practice sails or other requirements.
Yamagata said she intends to continue learning with 500 Sails.
“I want to continue practicing Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays [at Crowne Plaza] and Saturdays,” she said. “I want to build my skills, and I invite the community to check it out.”
She added that she was grateful for the opportunity to learn sailing and encouraged more people to experience the program firsthand.
“I feel like this program should be supported by the entire community and sustained for many generations to come,” she said. “It is a wonderful feeling to be part of this cohort and to finish, but I know that there is still so much I have to learn.”
Judge Camacho, a history major as an undergraduate, said the program puts history “into practice.”
“Knowing where we come from sets the path of where we’re going. The canoe is more than just for fishing — it’s transportation, which was central to the lives of ancient Chamorros and ancient Carolinians,” he said. “Knowing the differences between Chamorro canoes and Carolinian canoes — and there are definitely differences and nuances — has given me a much deeper appreciation as a history major to see that put into practice.”
For Roberto, the program was also meaningful. Like Yamagata, her next steps include being part of the sailing community.
“I’m very excited to continue learning,” she said. “I want to continue growing my skills, and I hope one day I’ll have enough knowledge to pass on to others.”
According to NMC-CDI program manager Geraldine Sasamoto, recruitment for the next cohort of Lalayak participants will open the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 3.
Members of the latest Lalayak cohort pose for a group photo on Saturday, Sept. 27. Front row, from left, Kathleen Yamagata and Ian Thomsen. Back row, from left, Jude Joseph Camacho, Chaime Tudela, Torohn Manglona, Nicole Somol, Roy Adsit, and Andrea Roberto.
Lalayak participants complete their program by sailing through the Saipan Lagoon without the assistance of 500 Sails staff on Saturday, Sept. 27.
