Savusavu Junior Sailing Club: Tiny Boats, Big Energy
Keen sailors ready to go!
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Nestled along the palm-lined coastline of Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu, the Savusavu Yacht Club is more than just a place to dock your boat and relax with a sundowner. It’s the heart of a small community sailing club that’s changing the lives of young locals — creating a safe space for learning, fun, and world-class sailing right from a small corner of the Pacific.
Savusavu Junior Sailing Club
A Dad’s legacy
The club's roots stretch back to the early 1990s, when it was co-founded by Geoff Taylor — a passionate father, geologist (with an entertaining memoir), and sailor who saw the ocean as both a classroom and a place of communion with family. Along with Anthony (Tony) Philp (a stalwart of Fijian yachting), they transformed an old copra storage shed into a Marina hub for cruising adventure and gathering in the ‘Hidden Paradise of Fiji’. Now there’s a small clubhouse next door for junior sailing.
In a recent visit to Savusavu, I spotted the Optis dotted white along the club lawn while wandering past. A group of kids were listening intently in front of a whiteboard, and I poked my head in to find out more. It was there I met Geoff’s daughter Salote Taylor who gave me the rundown of the juniors and what they were up to.
“I was just a kid when it started,” recalls Salote, who now helps carry on the program. “We’d come in to town from out past the airport, pick up all the other kids on the way in a Hilux ute, and head to the club. That’s how it began.”
With just a handful of families and a couple of boats, they launched what would become the Savusavu Junior Sailing Club. It’s one that ripples across generations.
With the passing of Geoff in January, his family will honour his 100-day burial memorial (a significant tradition in Fijian culture) and legacy, with a special regatta and fundraiser.
And volunteer coaches still do a Hilux run to ferry kids to and from sailing sessions.
Getting kids out on the water
You can feel the energy from the kids as they get set to sail — they can’t wait to get out there. At the heart of the club’s mission is accessibility. There’s no cost for the kids, and no barriers to giving it a go. All membership fees from the yacht club are funnelled directly into the junior sailing program, and every fundraiser helps keep kids on the water.
There are plenty of ways for visiting sailors to help too. Whether it’s a spare sailing dinghy, life jackets, or donations of pre-loved gear, every bit is gratefully accepted and really helps.
“We don’t need new,” Salote shares with a smile. “We’ll take anything — Opti sails, spars, life jackets, even water bottles. If we can’t use it, we’ll raffle it off to raise money.”
From Optis to the Olympics
The program is thriving, with over 20 kids sailing regularly. But there are challenges for the club especially in expanding the Optimist fleet and providing boats for older kids. Once they age out of the Opti class, there’s a gap.
The teens are encouraged to stay involved with coaching the younger ones, but the club hopes to build a fleet of Laser 4.7s and standard Lasers, and provide the opportunity to keep sailing — and a pathway into further coaching, or even international competition.
And the talent is strong. A number of sailors have represented Fiji in the Pacific and Olympic games. (Pretty impressive given the funding comparison to well-resourced clubs around the world!)
Both Geoff Taylor and Tony Philps were Olympic sailors, and more recently, Viliame Ratulu (who's initiation to sailing was taking off in a club dinghy with a mate) competed in the Paris Olympics — all have been local role models for the next generation. Not to mention the volunteer coaches who bring their own sailing stories and Olympic experiences to mentor and motivate the kids.
“I love it!”
The impact goes beyond racing. With the creep of drugs into the island, sailing provides a positive alternative to hanging out on the streets. The youngest sailors are around five years old, through to older teens — all trying something new on the water and finding themselves coming back.
“And it’s not just boys” Salote grins,
“We’ve always had heaps of girls out there. There’s no difference on the water — everyone’s competitive, and the banter is brilliant. You should hear them yelling at each other during races!”
Soon the kids finish up their whiteboard briefing with the coaches and head out to launch the boats. Faces all zinced up, ragtag lifejackets on and massive smiles — it’s obvious how much fun they have. I chat to a girl fitting her rudder and ask if she likes being out on the water. Her reply?
“I love it!”
There are more kids than optis in the club now — heading out for an afternoon session.
How you can help support the juniors (from anywhere)
If you’re keen to support Savusavu Junior Sailing Club, here are some great ways to do that!
Donate an unsed sailing dinghy | Optis or Lasers — even if they’re older would be gratefully used
Pass on sailing gear | Kids’ life jackets, rashvests, sunscreen, old club markers — you name it, if it’s for sailing they’ll likely find a use for it!
Support fundraising events & follow updates | via the Copra Shed Marina Facebook page
Become a member of Savusavu Yacht Club — the best $25 you’ll spend to join a sailing club in Fiji! |100% of fees go to junior sailing
Vinaka! (thank you)
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