Issue date
It features more competitors than the Commonwealth Games and almost as many sports and time is running out for any young sailors wanting to participate in September's Anchor AIMS Games.
Registrations for the annual event in Tauranga close on June 12, 2019, and are only accepted via the nominated school key contact. Sailing at the Aims Games will be run on September 8-10, with registration on Saturday, September 7.
This year's regatta will feature the O'pen Skiff for the first time along with the Optimist and another development of this year's sailing event is the option to charter a boat. Entries have already been received from Christchurch, Wellington and New Plymouth and the popularity of the event means accommodation is at a premium - try approaching the Tauranga yacht & Power Boat Club for ideas.
The Aims Games (Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools) was introduced in 2004 and last year attracted more than 10,000 intermediate-aged children competing across 22 sports. Sailing was added to the programme in 2015 but, until now, has only ever featured the Optimist.
You can download the 2019 Anchor AIMS Games registration booklet HERE which outlines the information around the event this year or go straight to the yachting page HERE.
Sailing in Tauranga in September can be challenging and cold, meaning it's a requirement for sailors to have completed Yachting New Zealand's learn to sail level 3 and to have competed in at least one regional (two-day) regatta to show they are sailing at a standard to enjoy this event.
For more information, please contact Yachting New Zealand regional support officer Raynor Haagh on raynor@yachtingnz.org.nz or Herman Rooseboom herman.rooseboom@gmail.com.
