The Flying Ozwen

Budding helmsman, Ozwen Chetty, started sailing in January 2010 after doing a sailing course with the well-known sailing academy Sail Africa at the Point Yacht Club. But in just over a year his ambitions in the sport have risen dramatically.

“I really love being on the water, it’s loads of fun,” says Ozwen, whose star sign is Pisces by the way. “He’s got the right attitude,” says dad Calvin, “and who knows, perhaps he’ll compete at the Olympics one day.”

After participating in an inter-school sailing competition at Richards Bay in March (where he represented his school, Clifton), Ozwen set his sights on the Provincial Sailing Championships at Saldhana Bay, up the Cape West Coast, towards the end of April. To train for this event the young wave wizard and his colleagues were hard at work every Tuesday and Thursday from 2.30pm until 6pm, and for a few hours each Saturday.

A South African team is heading to Europe in August and this is Ozwen’s immediate target, although competition will doubtless be very tough.

His coach Jay D’Engle confirmed pint-sized Ozwen’s aspirations and talent: “Although Oz is the youngest of the group I’m working with, he is easily one of the best. His skill levels are comparable to boys much older than him. Most of all, Oz enjoys the water and he’s always positive.”

O-niner

Ozwen learned to sail in an O-niner, he’s also sailed a Mirror and is now the proud owner of his own RS Tera dinghy, which this pint-sized wave warrior sailed in a grueling nine-hour relay event with team-mates at Midmar Dam in January.

“I love competing,” says Ozwen, “it can get a little boring when the wind is flat. I prefer it when the wind’s blowing, it’s more exciting.”

“I’ve capsized a few times, but the coaches are always there to look after you. The spirit on the water is amazing. What our coaches have always taught us is that you have to remain calm on the water. If there is a problem you must not panic. You can sort things out.”

“Ozwen’s got a great advantage,” says Calvin, “that’s because I’ve been into watersports myself, and he’s been in the water from a very young age. We have a jetski, my friends surf, and Ozwen’s now a regular at Midmar Dam. Our family is also keen on motorsports, so Oz has inherited that passion for speed.”

The family has also been on holiday to destinations such as Mauritius, Phuket in Thailand and Bali, where snorkelling is the order of the day. In Bali, Ozwen went on a “sea walking expedition”, which involved walking along coral reefs about 9m below the sea’s surface for about 45 minutes with a helmet on.

Other than sailing and swimming, Ozwen also enjoys cricket and soccer and aims to start rugby later this year. His favourite player? The Lamborghini , of course – Patrick Lambie.

Proud dad Calvin is behind his son all the way. “I reckon he’s got great potential in sailing, especially having started so young,” grins Calvin. “I’ll back him all the way.”  – By Garth Johnstone