Thanks to the partnership between the Rotary Club of Raiatea-Taha’a, the town of Uturoa, and ASOP (Australian Sports Outreach Program), the project came to it’s completion after three years with the arrival of the first two 303’s.

The boats were inaugurated in the presence of the Mayor of Uturoa, Sylviane Terooatea and Consul General of Australia, Heidi Bootle at the Raiatea Yacht Club at a small reception which attracted club members, students, supporters and their families to celebrate the success of this unique social project. The project Raiatea Yacht Club (RYC) of Apooiti did not start yesterday, but with the arrival of new vessels designed to be usable by the disabled, a new stage is reached. Launched three years ago with Aldric, the previous sailing instructor, this challenge has been partially materialized, with the delivery of two units of Hansa 303’s.

For the first investors in the project, the Rotary Club of Raiatea-Taha’a, it was a real challenge. They completed it by organizing various events to raise money to buy these boats. The second challenge was to the director of RYC Committee, the establishment of a well-crafted record, which was approved by ASOP (Australian Sports Outreach Program), an organization providing aid to this type of project. “The idea started there already 3 years,” said Cédric Barczynski, President of the RYC. “It took a lot of patience and sacrifice to get there, and I would like to thank the Australian government for its support. I would also like to thank Nathalie Fitoussi, the previous President of RYC, and Jerome, her husband, for their involvement in the finalization of the relations with the Consul General of Australia for Oceania French territories. ”

The full report (in French) can be found here

Video footage (also in French) of the boats on the water can be seen here at the 18 minute 23 second mark.