Worser Bay Boating Club Sailing Development

Sailing development

Once you have completed a learn to sail course, you may want to further your sailing experience. The following programmes are available to club members.

Optisquad
Opti and P sail
Race squad
Port Nicholson Yachting Trust Youth Scheme
Regular junior racing
Inter-Collegiate 420 Sailing Academy
Senior sailing

optisquad

What is Optisquad?
This is an opportunity for juniors who are now able to sail to develop their sailing skills further. That is, for example, after you have completed a junior learn to sail course.

Who runs Optisquad?
Qualified Worser Bay Boating Club instructors provide the coaching.

How much does it cost?
It is free for club members.

What if I don't have a boat?
Newcomers who do not have their own boat may use the club optimists for half the season. After that they will need their own boats, as other juniors will be using the club boats.

Do I need to be a club member?
Yes, but if you have completed a junior learn to sail course you become a member of Worser Bay Boating Club for the rest of the season. So you can enjoy the benefits of membership.

Are there different levels?
Yes. Level 1 , 2 and 3. These are defined in the YNZ Learn to sail competency program.

When are the Optisquad coaching sessions held?
From 15th September 2007 through to end of March 2008.
For the 2007-2008 season, Level 1, 2 and 3 will be run on Saturday mornings at 9:00 am until about 12:00am
For further details, see the Sailing Programme.

Where is it held?
At Worser Bay Boating Club. The optimist dinghies are stored in the "Pavilion" in the middle of Worser Bay, to the south of the club house.

How do I progress from level to level?
The instructor will give you a test from time to time. The main graduation point is Level 2 to Level 3. When you can sail around triangular course without much assistance you can move up to level 3 and join the Saturday morning optisquad session.

What will I be doing at level 3?
You will be learning how to sail faster and more consistently, and trying out your skills in short races, and having more fun with heaps of other young sailors.

Is it fun?
Yes ..... it sure is! I have mentioned this already!
And a great place to make new friends

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opti and p sail

What is OptiSail?
OptiSail is an annual four day live-in development program held during the summer holidays. It is run by Yachting New Zealand and is for optimist and p class sailors. It is devoted to teaching the skills of sailing and racing. The goal of the week is to increase sailors’ skills on and off the water and, most importantly, have fun!

Opticamp 2008/2009
Dates and more details here soon.

Where is it held?
At several locations around New Zealand each year. The Wellington Regional OptiSail has recently been at Plimmerton.

How much does it cost?
Come back to www.wbbc.wellington.net.nz for an application and information form which will outline the costs.

Who goes?
Any one who has progressed beyond level 3 optisquad. Yachting New Zealand has raised the entry level to Optisail. All participants must have a Yachting New Zealand Level 2 Learn to Sail certificate. Places are often limited so apply early.

Is it fun?
Yes ... it sure is! And a great place to make new friends.

race squad

Who joins Race Squad?
Keen and committed junior sailors who want to participate in national championship events, and who really want to develop their sailing and racing skills and who want to have fun!

Is it only for optimist sailors?
Optimist, P class and starling sailors may join the race squad at the beginning of the season. Once the P Class and starling nationals are over in January, race squad is primarily for optimist sailors.

When is it?
On Saturday mornings as part of the regular junior racing, and Tuesdays after school.

What is the format?
A programme is developed each year to meet the specific training needs of the race squad members. Have a look at recent race squad newsletters to see what happens.

Opticlinic
This clinic is held prior to the Optimist nationals each year at Worser Bay Boating Club. More details in Events.

Can I talk to someone about Race Squad?
Yes, Richard Middleton (04 388 7175) is the coordinator.

Is it fun?
Yes .... it sure is!
I think I mentioned this already!
And a great place to make new friends.

port nicholson yachting trust youth scheme

The Port Nicholson Yachitng Trust Youth Scheme is an initiative to support Wellington youth age sailors to further develop their sailing skills. Worser Bay sailors are encouraged to get involved in the scheme activities to build on the sailing and coaching that they partake in at Worser Bay.

Who joins the Youth Scheme?
Keen and committed youth sailors who want to extend their skills into the match racnig area

Is the scheme open to all youth sailors?
It certainly is. The scheme is not a learn to sail programme, but if you are keen to further your skills then you are more than welcome to join in.

When is it held?
The scheme runs a learn to match race programme during the winter months and has a match racing squad operating during the summer months. In addition it runs a secondary schools match racing programme and a women on water match racing programme.

Checkout www.youthyachtingscheme.org.nz for more details of the programme.

Can I talk to someone about the Youth Scheme?
Yes, Dean Stanley (04 972 3326 ) is the coordinator.

regular junior racing

This is the hub of junior sailing at Worser Bay. Sessions are held most Saturday mornings with races for sailors of optimists, P class and starling boats. This is in a sense the whole point of junior sailing, and will get you into the fun of regular racing at the club level. You do not have to have done Opti and P sail or be in the race squad to participate in regular junior racing. Just come down and get on the water and join the races.

Can I use Club optimists?
Yes, if you are a member, or if you have completed a junior learn to sail course earlier in the season. The boats do not rig themselves or put themselves away,
but there is usually someone who will help you.

Do I have to join the club?
Are you sailing regularly and enjoying the benefits of the club house and organized club racing? If yes then you will be invited to join the club.
It is not very expensive for juniors, and by becoming a member you become eligible to win prizes and to enter other regattas. Only club members are eligible to apply for a storage rack for their boat at the club.

Is there a Club Almanac?
Yes. It is published annually. It contains everything you need to know and more about all aspects of our club. Pick up an Almanac at the club house or send a stamped addressed envelop ( A5 Size) to The Secretary, WBBC, PO Box 15 030, and we will send you an Almanac. You will get one when you pay your subscription if you are already a member, but we always have some for prospective members too.

What about Saturday afternoon racing?
Saturday afternoon racing at Worser Bay is for senior racing in sunbursts, lasers, 420's and OK dinghies. We do not have enough people or resources to have both types of racing at the same time. However, there is plenty of room for juniors as crews (or even skippers ) for sunbursts. Keen juniors are in great demand as crews for sunbursts and 420's. You are just the right weight! You will learn heaps from being a crew. Tactics, sail handling and general race craft. Just let someone know you want to be a crew by writing your name on the white board beside the start-box on race days or talk to a senior member or place an ad on the website.

Is there coaching at club junior racing?
Everything associated with junior sailing is about learning more and getting more experience. Just getting out on the water every weekend means you are learning more. And yes there is always coaching going on during junior racing.
Maybe not directly during races but observations and discussion about situations with rescue boat crews is always available.

What say I want to spend more time on the water?
You can race on Sundays too. There is a WYA (Wellington Yachting Association ) Junior Series that is conducted around Wellington harbour clubs and Kapiti Coast clubs. Look on the WYA website for the programme.

What if I still want more time on the water?
Boy! You are keen! Yes, you can sail all winter! A coaching clinic and winter series is held at Titahi Bay each year. Look out for a notice and registration form in Events in May.

inter-collegiate 420 sailing academy

The Academy has a fleet of six 420 class dinghies at Evans Bay Yacht and Boating Club. These are the international youth sailing development class. Increasingly schools and clubs are adopting the 420 for inter school competition.
The fleet is designed to foster inter school teams racing. It is for both girls and boys. A team consists three boats with two sailors in each boat.
Your secondary school is expected to organise your school team(s) and the necessary coaching.

Sailing Teams Racing is organised every evening , by the Academy, with two, three boat teams competing each evening. The objective is for your school to win the local championship and be selected to compete in the NZ National Inter-Collegiate Teams Racing Championship. By that time you will be a very good sailor indeed! More information from your School Sports Coordinator.

New Zealand Team Racing Association (NZTRA)

senior sailing

Join us at the club every Saturday afternoon for racing in sunbursts, lasers, OK dinghies, 420's and skiffs. Generally two races are held in the afternoon, with time for a cup of tea between starts. The first race will start at approx 1:00pm. The club sunbursts are available to use for sailors who have completed a senior learn to sail course, who don't have their own boat.