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SCHOOLS AT THE GRAND CHOC' VILLAGE!

15/10/09

A wave of school children flooded into the Grand Choc' race village in Saint-Nazaire this afternoon. Around 11 am, 23 classes following boats entered in the race were received by enthusiastic skippers. The energy was tangible. More than 600 pupils aged 11-14 highlighted the educational aspects of the Solidaire du Chocolat. One group on the deck of a boat, another sitting in a circle under a tent. Schoolkids everywhere! Children over the moon to meet, congratulate and encourage the skipper entered in this first France to Mexico transatlantic yacht race. After the parade during which some lucky pupils had actually been able to hop on board, it was then time for entire classes together with their teachers to soak up the atmosphere of the final run up to the start of a yacht race. 

Enthusiastic, curious, inexhaustible… the youngsters just fired away with their questions covering life on board : sleep, food, time.  Others were more curious about sponsorship, cost and so on. Most had the chance to visit a Class 40 boat and learn about competitive sailing. What a wonderful learning tool this is. Foreign languages, history, science, French, art, citizenship. The Solidaire du Chocolat provides an excellent forum for discussion. A real village event !

Brian Harris (Amhas) : « It was great to meet these schoolchildren who are going to follow us through the race. I am surprised to see the extent to which they get involved. They had come along with their English teacher and made a genuine effort to speak with me. They even sang a song in English and gave me a number of gifts, including the CD. I was really touched. I had great fun with them today, answering their questions which they had taken time preparing. We are going to keep in touch during the race. I can’t wait for the radio chat session with them! Thanks to them all ! »

The 23 secondary schools of the Solidaire du Chocolat




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