Issue date
2014 is moving at cracking pace and there’s plenty going here at Yachting New Zealand. Here’s an update from my desk…
- February saw two major small boat regattas hosted in Auckland, both drawing top international talent to the City of Sails, reinforcing the fact that New Zealand is a prime sailing destination for world class competition. 2014 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland, hosted by Royal Akarana Yacht Club, included 250 sailors and riders (with 25 international entries from 12 nations), and around 100 volunteers making it all possible. The A-Class World Championships followed soon after, with over 80 of the high performing cats including a large number of internationals, coming to the Takapuna Boating Club for the event.
- I’m really pleased with the success of the first ever Volvo National Sailing & Boating Day and I want to congratulate and say thank you to those member Clubs that stepped up and came on board with the new concept. Our driving goal with this initiative is to help you attract new members to your Club. We’re currently evaluating your feedback following the day and this will help us to plan effectively and work with you collaboratively for future editions.
- Our review of potential membership models is still in progress and currently we require more Clubs to provide us with current membership information so that we have a comprehensive set of data to work with. I urge you to be part of this important club initiative, and ask that you please contact me, your Regional Support Officer or Kelly with any questions.
- Volvo vehicles will soon provide the towing power for all three, of the nation’s Volvo Sailing… Have a Go! trailers. In a staged national roll-out, the mobile sailing programme offered to school children in year’s 4 to 8, will see all three programme Instructors using Volvo’s powerful XC90 to tow the large trailer units to hosting Yacht Clubs around the country.
- On in Auckland on Saturday June 21st the 2014 Commodores Conference will gather together Club Commodores from around New Zealand. Beth has requested advance feedback from Commodores around topics you would like to see included in the day’s agenda. If this is on your ‘to do’ list, or something topical has cropped up recently, please email Beth.
- Our drive to provide members with a Club Insurance Scheme is progressing thank you to those Clubs that provided information to facilitate this. We hope to come back to you with an offer soon.
- YNZ believes that a centralised and dedicated High Performance sailing centre would be an asset to New Zealand and we are continuing to work towards the establishment of centre. The proposed National Ocean Water Sports Centre [NOWSC] at Takapuna is progressing with the Harbour Access Trust proceeding with planning. It is anticipated that resource consents will be lodged by mid April 2014.
Regards
David Abercrombie
