Issue date
It's fair to say the ambitions parents have for their children in sport don't always match those of their children and it's something we all need to be careful of.
Members were asked in the latest Yachting New Zealand Voice of the Participant Survey, ‘why do you sail?’ and overwhelmingly the most common response from young people was 'having fun'.
If you want your child to stay in the sport for life, make sure they are having fun and don’t put too much pressure on them.
Sailing is a fantastic sport. You learn many life skills and make some wonderful friendships. It would be useful for parents to consider the 10 golden rules for youth sport.
- Fun with friends come first
- Be patient with their progress
- It’s their time, let them shine
- Applaud effort over outcome
- More sports the better
- Sport for life skills
- The mind matters the most
- Be a good sport too
- Beware of burnout
- Love watching them play
There are a heap of resources around to help you and your child understand their place in sport, including Sport New Zealand's Balance is Better website. This site shares ideas, research and examples of ways we can help create quality experiences for all young people to keep them active and in the game long term.
See the Balance is Better website and sign up for their newsletter here.
SSANZ Lewmar Triple Series- Race 2
Wet and wild rides, epic wipeouts and plenty of ripped sails were features of last weekend's Lewmar 100, when a chilly south-westerly ranging from 15-35 knots challenged the large fleet.
Of the 156 boats that entered, an impressive 106 finished - 30 didn't start and 20 didn't finish.
You can find highlights of the racing above, put together by Live Sail Die.
Napier Sailing Club
While most of us are waiting for the weather to warm up, there's a hive of activity at the Napier Sailing Club as they prepare for a huge summer of sailing.
They've already hosted a regional Aon 420 youth clinic, which attracted some new sailors to the class, and on August 30 will welcome Yachting New Zealand's David Abercrombie and Raynor Haagh who will be introducing the national body's new strategic plan.
The annual summer regatta in November is building momentum every year, to the point it's developing into the biggest mixed classes regatta in the country.
Many classes use the regatta for their North Island or national championships which puts pressure on resources so the club are on the lookout for support boats. Please let them know if you can help them out.
But it doesn’t stop there, as Napier will also host the combined Optimist and Starling national championships over Easter 2022.
Southland Boat Show
Southland Trailer Yacht Squadron committee member Bruce Keen, Yachting New Zealand South Island regional development manager Ian Gardiner and Te Anau sailor Jack White attended the boat show. Photo: Kavinda Herath / Stuff.
The recent Southland Boat Show, which aims to promote Southland's yacht clubs and get more people into recreational sailing, was an overwhelming success.
The boat show is a bi-annual event organised and run by the Southland Trailer Yacht Squadron. It is a massive undertaking for a small organisation and a big thanks must go to two of the Squadron's movers and shakers, Doug Riley and Peter Henderson.
Profits from the event are put back into the local boating community, including local clubs, coastguard and schools.
PIC Coastal Classic gala fundraiser
More than 300 PIC Coastal Classic sailors and supporters attended the inaugural Starry Night Cocktail gala at Eden Park recently, raising $22,705 for the Starship Foundation.
The event also officially launched the countdown to this year's race, which will start this year on October 22.
As New Zealand’s biggest coastal yacht race, and one of the largest of its kind in the world, the PIC Coastal Classic marks the traditional opening of the Kiwi boating season.
The 2021 event includes a number of changes to ensure it remains a leader for coastal yacht racing and a fun long weekend celebration for the thousands of people involved.
In addition to changes already announced this year, including an increased commitment to sustainability via the Clean Regatta programme, three announcements were made at the gala event:
- For the duration of Labour Weekend, the yacht race will work alongside the NZ Sport Fishing Council to run the inaugural PIC Coastal Classic Fishing Competition. Anybody connected to the race can participate, it will be free, and there will be prizes.
- Musto has been confirmed as the official clothing and merchandise partner of the PIC Coastal Classic!
- The famous PIC Coastal Classic afterparty will be at the same, but different place this year. The Duke Tavern in Russell has been sold and is now called the Nauti Penguin.
The notice of race, notice of rally and link for entering online can be found online the PIC Coastal Classic website here. For more information on the race, rally or gala visit www.coastalclassic.co.nz
Kerikeri Cruising Club
The Bridge of Doom will feature at a regatta hosted by the Kerikeri Cruising Club next month.
The club will host the Northern O'pen Skiff Cup, and which will include the Bridge of Doom, as well as the first round of the RS Feva Traveller Series on September 25-26.
Sailors are reminded to wear appropriate, warm sailing gear, although they will enjoy a free BBQ after racing on the Saturday.
Special visitors to French Bay Yacht Club
There were heaps of reasons to celebrate at the 2021 French Bay Yacht Club prizegiving recently.
Top of the list was recognition of the successful signing of a hard-fought lease that ensures the club has a home at their Titirangi, Auckland, site through to 2046.
There was also two years of sailing achievements to catch up on, given last year was interrupted by Covid-19, as well as a growing club that has really found its niche.
Two things happened to help make the night extra special.
Firstly, the America’s Cup trophy visited the clubhouse for the evening, escorted by Royal NZ Yacht Squadron commodore Aaron Young and his family and staff from the Squadron who ensured it was well cared for throughout.
Secondly, Elana Connor of Peregrina Sails came along to talk about her experiences sailing solo around the world and facing down fears and casting off to head into the deep blue ocean.
It was a precient analogy for many situations we can face in life, and encouraging to anyone who has ever felt they faced an insurmountable challenge. Connor is raising money to help youth in foster care enjoy the experience of sailing on Spirit of Adventure.
More than 50 prizes were given away on the night, including some generously donated by the RNZYS and Emirates Team New Zealand, and all enjoyed posing for photos with the Auld Mug and deciphering its long intricate history.
“Thank you to everyone who came together to make the night extra special,” commodore Allan Geddes said. “Here’s to the next 25 years in French Bay.”
Plimmerton Boating Club
The Plimmerton Boating Club held a very successful Aon youth clinic recently for Laser sailors, with a couple even making the trek from Whanganui.
Top Laser sailor George Gautrey, who finished third at the 2019 Laser world championships, led the clinic and was impressed with the standard on show.
There was a decent breeze at times during the clinic which provided both fun and challenging conditions.
You can find out more about Yachting New Zealand's youth programme, including more information about the Aon youth clinics, here.
Gulf Harbour Yacht Club
The Gulf Harbour Yacht Club were blessed with another perfect day on the water for race 6 of the Combined Gulf Harbour/Weiti Boating Club 2021 Winter Series recently.
It was almost too perfect, however, with the fleets almost becalmed at one point, forcing race officer Richard Brown to shorten the courses. Boats at the back of the fleet often enjoyed the new breeze first, creating some exciting finishes.
As many as 16 boats lined up in the white fleet, with Rogue II taking line honours and Kick winning on handicap.
Cordite did the double in gold fleet, winning on both line and handicap.
