Coaching & Learn to SailWakatere Junior Programs:
WBC has a strong focus on family participation in sailing and particularly junior sailing (Ages 10-15). Our coaching program has two components with Learn to Sail followed by our Sunday Morning Coaching program for those that have completed Learn to Sail. The Learn to Sail has two intakes per season and is conducted in the Waterwise optimists which are provided. The Sunday AM program requires each participant to provide their own optimist.
1. Learn to Sail:
This next course commences at the beginning of next season in October 2008, and the second course in February 2009. Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-7pm.
The idea of this course is to bridge the gap between Waterwise and our Sunday Morning Coaching groups. Making sure the children can:
• Right, bail and sail their own capsized optimist, unaided.
• Be comfortable in the water (will always be wearing a buoyancy vest)
• Sail back to shore in an offshore wind, unaided.
• Know how to leave and approach the beach with onshore waves, may need help in bigger waves.
And, most important, enjoy sailing enough to want to come back for more. The minimum age is 10 years, no maximum age although you need to be able to physically fit into an Opti.
Enrollment:
You can phone Carol Donaldson 4451813 to put your name down on the waiting list.
Cost is $250 for the program and includes junior club membership for the year.
2. Sunday AM program:
This program commences mid October and runs through to end of April with a break for Christmas. You must have your own Opti and sailing gear including an approved personal floatation device and a wetsuit is recommended pre-Christmas. Children are graded at entry to the program into one of four groups being:-
1. Confidence 1
2. Confidence 2
3. Learn to race.
4. Race
The club provides a coaching coordinator for this program, Gary Hill.
Gary can be contacted at garyhill@pharma-solutions.co.nz and he is supported by a pool of experienced club members who act as coaches. Participants are expected to be at the club on Sunday mornings by 8.30am to rig so that they are ready for briefing and coaching to commence at 9.00am. Sailors are back ashore by 11.30am. Participants who successfully complete the program are awarded their New Zealand Yachting Federation Level Two competency certificate.
Enrolment:
Participants must have completed a Learn to Sail course, be club members (see the website for application forms, junior membership is $115) and be able to meet the minimum swim requirement.
The cost of the coaching program is a further $135 for the full season or $75 for post Christmas entry. Applications must be made to Gary Hill who will then be in contact to confirm acceptance. Registration is then co-coordinated by Amanda Michel michels@clear.net.nz
Click on Coaching application form to download an application form
What's the ideal size for an Opti?Click here to download a page from the International Opti Magazine summarising the sizes of Opti sailors at the 2002 Worlds
What ages do Opti sailors start? Do successful Opti sailors need to come from a sailing background?Click here to download more info from the Opti Magazine.
Junior Ethics
The Yachting NZ Junior & Youth Committee has produced a number of Guidelines for Ethics in Sailing.
"You haven't won the race if, in winning the race, you have lost the respect of your competitors.".....Paul Elvström (Four-time Olympic gold medallist)Guidelines for Race Committees and Regatta Organisers
Download all guidelines as PDF file