COMFORT COVE-NEWSTEAD- When you ask a teenager what some of their favourite hobbies or pastimes are, you probably expect to hear them say, playing video games, watching television or spending time on computer. However, sixteen-year-old Leon Hicks has a different response. His hobby is boat building.
Leon began building his first boat last March. There is no way to determine the total length of time he put into making his masterpiece. He would simply spend every spare moment he had out in his garage until June when he finally completed the boat.
“I had a punt I used to row around the harbour in but I wanted something a little bigger,” said Leon.
Execpt for a few time helping his father with some work on a boat, this was Leon’s first time taking on a task so large and so new. With a little advice and guidance from his father and a lot of hard and dedicated work, his ultimate goal finally became reality.
When he fiberglassed the boat, he put a coin on the front with the year he made the boat. Leon’s father told him that the coin would bring him good luck and it worked. Leon was very proud to successfully launch his 15.5 foot motorboat named “Newstead Drifter” into the water as friends, family and residents surrounded him.
He was extremely pleased to receive very positive feedback from local boat builders and fishermen. Everyone was very impressed with the work from such a young man.
“I’m really proud of what he done, it’s a beautiful job,” said Leon’s mother, Edna Hicks.
Boat building is a very important part of Newfoundland heritage. Unfortunately, like many of Newfoundland’s other traditions, they are slowly being forgotten and not passed on to the present day teenagers and children.
Leon most definitely emits and spreads the pride of Newfoundland heritage. While it is certainly an unusual hobby for a teenager to have these days, it is something Leon should be proud of not only because of his exceptional craftsmanship, but because he is making an effort to keep a very rich and colourful culture alive and present.
“It’s good because I’m not sat down in front of the T.V. and mom doesn’t have to worry about me being out on the streets,” said Leon. “People say I’m 16 going on 60.”
As Leon heads to Grade 11, he hopes that once he graduates he will either pursue a career either on the water or in the mechanical field. Until then, he’ll continue his unique hobby of boat building.
“This one is just a lifeboat for the one I’m going to build,” said Leon.
.jpg)
.jpg)
