Junior Coleman sails aboard 500 Sails canoe Aunty Oba in the Saipan lagoon.
A view of Managaha aboard Aunty Oba. During Lalayak, community members can learn how to sail traditionally designed Chamorro canoes.
STARTING on Saturday, the community can participate in no-cost sailing lessons at 500 Sails.
Kuen Hee Han, managing director for 500 Sails, said the sixth Lalayak cohort will begin on July 22 and end on Sept. 23.
Lalayak is a program under the non-profit organization dedicated to teaching the community how to sail traditionally designed Chamorro canoes.
Lessons will be held on land and in the water. The class can accommodate around 16 students.
Sea lessons will take place on July 22, Aug. 5, Aug. 19, Sept. 2, and Sept. 16. All sea classes take place at the Guma Sakman from 8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Land lessons will take place on July 26, Aug. 2, and Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the 500 Sails Cultural Maritime Training Classroom in Lower Base.
A written examination will be held on Sept. 23.
Han said participants must be at least 14 years old, and must pass two swim tests. The swim test is a one-hour, open water tread. Another test is to swim from the Guma Sakman to the nearby lagoon tank and back without stopping.
500 Sails has a number of swimming programs that can prepare community members for both tests, Han said. These include the daily morning swims that occur with Dolphin Swim Club at the Guma Sakman from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.; the Sirena Project, which is an all-women swim class on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; and the Gamsun Project, which is a lifeguard preparatory class on Monday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Han is encouraging community members who might be apprehensive about their ability to pass the swim tests. Practice will ensure their ability to pass, Han said, adding that she knows what it’s like to be afraid of swim tests.
“For those with fear of water like myself, once you befriend the water, it is a whole new universe that will open up to you. The point is never to give up,” she said.
Junior Coleman, 500 Sails director of sailing and seamanship, will teach the Lalayak course. He has sailed on traditional canoes around Hawaii, Micronesia, and Polynesia and brings with him decades of traditional sailing experience.
He said the at-sea portion of the class involves “hands-on learning in the calm waters of the lagoon” as permitted by weather.
Coleman said the land portion involves basic seamanship skills such as knot tying, canoe parts and functions, and Marianas maritime history.
Upon their successful completion of the course, Lalayak Cohort 6 will be considered for future inter-island voyages and pathways to maritime employment, Coleman said.
“Learning and practicing our ocean culture through sailing can strengthen your mind, body, and spirit,” Coleman told Variety. “Sailing can help to build self-esteem, awareness, respect and appreciation of our culture, island and ocean environment. Having this skill set will help you in all aspects of your life.”
For questions, contact Kuen Hee Han at (670) 323-7245 or email info@500sails.org/. 500 Sails’ Instagram account is @500sails. For Facebook, search “500 Sails & Dolphin Club Saipan.”
