Kai Marks-Dasent Outstandingly Seizes the Sylvester Simmons Young Sailor of the Year Award for the Second Time

Kai Marks-Dasent, a rising star of the sailing world, has once again been awarded the prestigious Sylvester Simmons Young Sailor of the Year, courtesy of the SVG Sailing Association. This impressive accolade accentuates not only his extraordinary sailing ability but also his exceptional character, ingrained with service and leadership—core values that align exquisitely with the charitable Sylvester Simmons Foundation’s mission.

Throughout the course of the year, Marks-Dasent emphatically represented his homeland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in numerous regional and international sailing events. These included prominent regattas such as the Barbados Youth Sailing Week, the Antigua ILCA Open, the UK ILCA Nationals and the Caribbean Dinghy Championships in his home waters of Antigua. Each performance was testament to his indomitable spirit and a clear statement of his desire to excel both for himself and his fellow countrymen.

In recognition of his growing influence within the youth sailing arena and his evident ambassadorial skills, Marks-Dasent was chosen to represent the national youth sailing community as a Baton Bearer when the King’s Baton Relay landed in St. Vincent. Later in the year, he added another feather to his already impressive cap by being bestowed with the Prime Ministerial Youth Sailor of the Year Award, acknowledged for his substantial sailing accomplishments, commendable leadership, and lifelong devotion to excellence off the seas as much as on them.

Dr Kingsley Simmons, speaking for the Sylvester Simmons Foundation, praised Marks-Dasent’s recent achievements as genuinely inspiring. He stated that Marks-Dasent indeed thoroughly embodies the virtues of service, bravery, and community leadership that were intrinsic to the late Sylvester ‘Pepe’ Simmons.

The Sylvester Simmons Foundation, established to continue Pepe Simmons’ legacy of empowering young people across the Grenadines, recognises and rewards youths who not only excel in their chosen fields but also show a strong commitment to aiding others. Through initiatives like the Young Sailor of the Year Award, it continues to foster an enduring belief in opportunity, justice, courage and service to others.