Issue date
In a departure from normal service, because these are not normal times, the regional support officers have collaborated to provide an update on what is going on in the regions.
Connecting with clubs
The first of a series of planning meetings to connect club head coaches and club managers is due to take place today.
Northern regional support officers Ian Darby and Hayden Whitburn, as well as Yachting New Zealand coach development manager Peter Soosalu, will coordinate an online discussion for head coaches and club managers focused on sharing information, knowledge and ideas that everyone can benefit from.
"We felt it was important, particularly at tough times like now, that a community-based approach to let all head coaches and managers know that they are not alone out there, and we are all here to support each other, regardless of what club we work at," Darby said.
On the list to discuss were things like a review of last season, systems and processes and plans for the future.
Darby said more sessions were being planned in the future, with details of these shared closer to the time.
Managing risk
Managing risk around your club is often overlooked and often we hear “we have been doing it this way for years and haven’t had a problem” or “we only sail on a river or small lake that is safe”.
The role of the safety officer is an important one, and getting club members to buy into the club's safety system is not always easy.
Having procedures in place before the proverbial hits the fan is much easier than the aftermath of a major incident which will affect your club's standing in the community.
Here is a link to the club checklist and also to other safety docs in the Yachting New Zealand club manual which all clubs should consider.
Contact your regional support officer for a safety management system template, as we are more than happy to work through this with you.
Upcoming events
We've already seen a few clubs start racing again following the return to alert level 2 and there are plenty of other events planned for the winter.
The Winter Sprint Series is back by popular demand and will be hosted by four clubs in the Auckland area over the next four months, starting with the Kohimarama Yacht Club on May 30.
Others will be at:
June 13: Murrays Bay Sailing Club
June 27: Wakatere Boating Club
August 1: Wakatere Boating Club
August 15: Point Chevalier Sailing Club
September 19: Murrays Bay Sailing Club. This will also incorporate the Ice Breaker event and the notice of race and sailing instructors for the Ice Breaker will override those for the Winter Sprints.
The sprints are open to Optimists, O'pen Skiff, P-Class, Starling, Feva and other youth classes.
Things will be done a little differently for the first one at Kohimarama due to the level 2 restrictions and will include things like the clubrooms being closed (a 'bouncer' will man the door for anyone who needs to use the bathroom), online briefing, mandatory online entries, allocated rigging areas and no raft-ups on the water with sailors and coaches (coaches can watch but need to keep a distance from the sailors).
Also on the calendar are:
RNZYS Winter Saturday Series (every second Saturday)
Young 88 Mount Gay Rum 1-2-3 Series: single-handed (May 24), double-handed (June 7), triple-handed (July 19) championships
Worser Bay Autumn Series (May 24)
New Zealand Open Team Sailing National Championships, Kerikeri Cruising Club (TBC) - May 30-June 1
Napier Icicle Regatta (May 30-31)
Evans Bay Yacht & Motor Boat Club Winter Series (June 6)
Lowry Bay Yacht Club Winter Series (June 7)
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club Winter Series (June 13)
Titahi Bay Boating Club Winter Series (June 14)
Napier Brass Monkey Regatta (June 20-21)
You can find the Yachting New Zealand regatta calendar here and clubs and class associations are asked to submit their events so competitors know what is going on and other clubs and class associations can plan their events accordingly.
