Issue date
There's been a hive of activity this winter in a back room tucked away in the Christchurch Yacht Club.
Five junior sailors have been learning how to restore and maintain a handful of beaten-up wooden dinghies, including three Starlings and a P Class, which is not only teaching them great skills but also ensuring they have a boat to sail.
The project is being led by Luke Riedinger, one of the club's young leaders. He identified that some back rooms at the club were unused (other than as a depository for junk), some junior sailors had a need for a boat and some derelict dinghies were knocking around.
The club's committee were supportive of the idea and the rooms were turned into a workshop.
Riedinger, pictured, and some other young leaders have been teaching the youngsters boat maintenance skills over the winter - using epoxy, sanding, painting, woodwork and fitting out - and they secured some supplies from local businesses.
Riedinger said the project had proved a great success and was a great way to involve the junior sailors in learning skills and appreciating what is involved in boat building and restoration.
