Issue date
In our regular focus on the regions, the four regional support officers look at what has been happening in their areas and also provide some advice on applying for funding support from the Community Organsiation Grants Scheme.
Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS)
Has your club considered applying for funding support from the Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS)?
COGS provide grants to non-profit organisations delivering community-based social services that contribute to achieving locally-determined outcomes.
Read more about the COGS grant here.
Funding for insurances, accounting and audits, power and training are among some of the things the government grant is available for and some of our clubs have been successful in receiving support.
It is really important to check the local distribution committee priorities here to see what the focus from the COGS funds are in your area and pitch your application to these as appropriate.
This is a once-a-year grant and applications close on Wednesday, May 19. It’s important to have applications in early and, as always, Yachting New Zealand staff are happy to help support your application with a support letter. Please contact your regional support officer for assistance.
Hansa Class national championships
These were hosted by the Lake Taupo Yacht Club recently with 14 Hansa 303 singles, nine Hansa 303 doubles and five Hansa Liberty boat taking part.
Wellington sailors Darrell Smith and Graeme Hook were dominant in the singles fleet, taking first and second respectively, with third going to Paulien Chamberlain from Tauranga, who also took out the B2 blind section. Taranaki's Bob Knox won the seated division.
It was a lot tighter in the doubles with Matthew Henderson, Laura Stewart and Jordan Grogan taking the top placings. Toby Ireland won the B1 and Davy Parker the B3 blind divisions.
Auckland sailor Tony Vaka won every race in the Liberty class, with Bert Coulter second and Tom Scott from Tauranga third.
A huge thanks must go to the Lake Taupo Yacht Club for running a great regatta after having to reschedule it after the original dates were affected by Covid-19. Thanks also to race officer Ray Manning and his race management team, the local harbourmaster who was very helpful and to all the dock helpers that handled the changeovers.
Wellington Schools Regatta
A fleet of 40 boats fronted up for the one-day Wellington Schools Regatta hosted by the Paremata Boating Club.
Two races were completed before the wind crumped out and racing was called off.
It was good to see a great contingent from Whanganui making the trek down for the regatta and thanks must go to the Paremata club for running such a good event.
Ronstan/Mainstay Marine J14 and Sunburst North Island Regatta
The J14 is ideal for adult and child combinations.
Sailors had to master fickle weather conditions recently at the inaugural Ronstan/Mainstay Marine J14 and Sunburst North Island Regatta at the Torbay Sailing Club.
The first day was blown out as winds of up to 45 knots battered Auckland's coastline but David Giles sailed consistently well in the four races on the Sunday to finish ahead of Richard Whistikie and Mark Shaw in the 13-boat J14 fleet. Giles received the John Spencer-inspired trophy from Graham Fleury and Cayla Pattison was the first female and won the Premier Lady award for her performances at the North Island regatta and J14 nationals.
It was even tighter in the Sunburst fleet, with Simon and Hamish Brown edging Scott and Roberto Beavis by one point. Bruce Yarnton and Rebecca Garcia were only two points further behind in third.
The J14 started life as a John Spencer-designed Jollyboat and intent and spirit of the original design has been maintained within the class rules to essentially offer the lowest cost, competitive sailing dinghy in New Zealand today.
It's suitable for an adult and child combination or two teenagers and is versatile enough to allow single-handed sailing as well. The current national champions are a father/son combination and the youngest single-handed sailor is 17.
See here for more information about the J14 class.
Free NZIODA signup
Photo: Yachting New Zealand.
Many of this country's young sailors start out in an Optimist and it's free for learn to race participants to join NZIODA, the class association.
Membership comes with regular email updates about upcoming events, tips and hints to improve skills as well as regatta reviews.
Sailors can register here.
