In March every year since 1995 a sailing regatta has been held at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club near Pattaya, with the proceeds being donated to various charities, most of which care for underprivileged children, orphans and youngsters in trouble with the law. More recently young victims of the tsunami in the south benefited from the organiser's generosity.

The event is called the PC Classic and is named after Peter Cummins, a dedicated sailor who has raced against His Majesty the King.

Cummins retired in 1995 when he turned 60 after 31 years service with the United Nations and decided it was time to give something back to the country he loves so much, so he started the PC Classic.

Cummins was Commodore of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club from 1979-80 and has not only been a regular sailor himself over the years, but has also written thousands of words on the sport for many publications, including The Nation.

In fact, he has been the biggest promoter of sailing in Thailand for the past 20 years and is one of the founding members of Asia's biggest sailing event, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, now in its 20th year.

Every year at the annual Phuket King's Cup Regatta, Cummins writes the speech for Admiral Usni Pramoj, a Privy Counsellor who presents the trophies on behalf of His Majesty the King.

Cummins, a very modest man who prefers to keep a low profile, outlined the main aim of his regatta.

"All proceeds, outside of regular regatta management, will be donated to the needy and disadvantaged in our community, particularly children, through charity projects under the guidance of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya," he told The Nation.

"As in preceding years, and thanks to generous sponsorship, grants have been made to support the Juvenile and Family Court, the Pluakluang Hospital, the restoration of the Bunglamung Home for Boys, Happiness Camps [for teachers and students] for Pattaya Schools #1 and #10, as well as grants to the tsunami victims for housing, schools and other vital necessities.

"A donation was also made to support the IODA Asian Sailing Championships which brought to Thailand and the Royal Varuna Yacht Club 100 youngsters from 14 countries to meet, compete and build lasting friendships."

Cummins said this year's event is dedicated to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club patron, His Majesty the King, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his accession to the Thai throne.

More than 100 boats are expected to take part in this year's PC Classic, which will take place on Saturday afternoon off the Royal Varuna Yacht Club near Pattaya. In the evening a gala dinner and presentation of prizes will be held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

"It is going to be a great day come rain or shine, starting with the seaside activities and racing at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and the evening's festivities at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort," said Cummins.

"Come along and help an old guy into his 71st year: it is going to be a fun day, with a good end result for our less-advantaged citizens of this fair city-by-the-sea."

Tickets are available at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and the Royal Cliff Beach Resort for both the day and evening programmes. Reserv-ations are suggested for the gala dinner as limited seating is available.

For more information, phone 038-250421; fax: 038250145 or e-mail: Alexander@royalcliff.com.

Alan Parkhouse

The Nation