Issue date
The Yachting New Zealand regional development managers take a look at what has been happening in their areas and also urge clubs to think about strategic planning.
Planning is the key to long-term success at any club because, without adequate planning, your club will likely deal only with immediate problems and may fail to consider future needs.
A strategic plan should focus on the club's goals for the next 3-5 years while an operational plan will help guide members around plans within the next 12 months.
The strategic plan lays out the overall mission and direction of the club and how objectives will be achieved. A good plan should be simple, focused and ideally be able to be summarised on one page. It should be clear about your club’s path, prioritise outcomes and provide a reference for decision making.
Winter months are typically less busy, particularly sailing activities, so are a great time to look at operational plans for the upcoming season and to also review the strategic plan and look at how the club are tracking at achieving their objectives.
The club manual on the Yachting New Zealand website has links to some great resources to help your club with strategic planning, and there is even a specific page on policies and templates for clubs.
Yachting New Zealand’s statement of strategic intent can be found here and could give your club some ideas around how to approach the task. Of course, you can always contact your local regional development manager for some advice and guidance.
SSANZ
Race 2 of the PIC Insurance Brokers Triple Series is on this Saturday, July 30, with close to 140 boats already entered.
At 100 nautical miles, it’s the biggest race of the three in the series but hasn’t been sailed in its entirety for some years due to either too much or not enough wind, so here’s hoping the weather is favourable this weekend.
There's still time to enter - click here - for a race that will see competitors head to Cow and Calf Islands, Black Rock, Flat Rock and Motuora Island before heading back to the finish off Orakei.
The 50nm race, the final in the series, is being held on August 27.
Lake Taupo Yacht Club
The Lake Taupo Yacht Club will be hoping it's third time lucky when they host the Optimist North Island Championships on November 4-6 after the two previous attempts were affected by Covid.
This regatta will also be part the Starling travellers series and, with planning well underway for the event, good fleets are expected in both classes.
Ponsonby Cruising Club
About 25 women attended the second of four women’s workshops hosted by the Ponsonby Cruising Club last night, despite the terrible weather.
Vice commodore Janet Watkins shared stories of her remarkable life. She was a pioneer for women in sailing and paved the way for women to not only get out on the water sailing but also to get involved in race management.
Two-time round the world race sailor Keryn McMaster from PredictWind followed with a great presentation on understanding weather. Those in attendance were captivated by her impressive knowledge of weather, with tricks and tips to get the most out of the PredictWind system.
These workshops are gaining momentum and interest from sailors and non-sailors alike who enjoyed socialising with like-minded women. The next workshop is scheduled for August 9 (6pm-8pm), with guest speakers to be confirmed shortly.
Murrays Bay Sailing Club
There's still time to register for a special Girls in Sailing social education night at the Murrays Bay Sailing Club on Saturday.
The event will follow racing in the third round of the Auckland Junior Winter Sprint Series being run at the club that day. Go here to register your young sailor.
As well as hearing from some of this country's top sailors, there will also be an informative presentation about health and nutrition, as well as goodie bags and spot prizes.
Gisborne Yacht Club
Colin Shanks, right, receiving his honoary life membership from patron Rod McCulloch.
The Gisborne Yacht Club recently recognised more than 40 years of service by Colin Shanks with an honorary life membership.
Shanks, or Shanksy to those who know him, has been commodore at Gisborne for a number of years but has also held many other positions on committees, taught learn to sail to both adults and youth, and took on the role of trustee to the rescue boat trust.
His energy, enthusiasm and total commitment have made him a real asset to the club and he was instrumental in Gisborne winning hosting rights for various national, interprovincial and South Pacific championships.
it was no surprise the committee unanimously endorsed a motion for Shanks to become an honorary life member in the club's 75th year.
Shanks has sailed and raced a number of different classes, including trailer yachts, but it was in the Javelin he excelled with multiple Sanders Cup Victories and forays to Australia for the interdominions.
The Gisborne Yacht Club will now celebrate their 75th anniversary / jubilee on September 16-17, 2022, after the original dates were impacted by Covid. The club will be open on the Friday for a get-together over nibbles and drinks and the formal function will take place at the Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club on the Saturday.
College Sport Regatta
The college sport fleer racing regatta was postponed from earlier this year and will be now held on September 16 at the Wakatere Boating Club.
Each school may enter any number of 420s, 29ers, RS Fevas, Starlings, Optimists, ILCAs, Open Skiffs, P-Classes and Hansa 303s.
Entries close on September 6 and each school needs to supply capable volunteers for the event to run smoothly.
See here for more information.
Ngaroto Sailing Club
The the John Dixon Regatta has been postponed until August 27-28 due to the high water level in the lake.
The revised notice of race and other documentation will be circulated in due course but registrations of interest can still be sent to ngarotocommodore@gmail.com
Takapuna Boating Club
Takapuna are running an adult learn to sail level 1 (dinghy sailing) course starting on August 7 (9am-noon).
The five-week course introduces participants to dinghy sailing, and is centred around having fun and developing a love for sailing as well as building confidence on the water. This practical course is a great start to your sailing journey.
It's suitable for anyone aged 15 years and over and no previous sailing experience is required. Participants must be able to swim 50m wearing a lifejacket.
For more information: email Leanne, members@takapunaboating.org.nz or see here.
