Issue date
The New Zealand O’pen Bic class association has today launched a new website and online events calendar to support the significant momentum this exciting new junior class is gaining.
The class is going from strength to strength in New Zealand and expecting a fleet of about 75 boats for the next event in July. The class gained official class status in New Zealand earlier this year and the 2017/18 season calendar already boasts 14 nationwide events.
The new website features online event registration, boat charter for O’pen Bic regattas and coaching events.
The sleek, fast, one-design nature of the boats and charter fleet made available by Bic Sport NZ, brings a breath of fresh air to junior sailing for kids and parents alike. The regattas are designed with fun being the primary goal and the availability of inexpensive charter boats removes the barrier of having to transport boats around the country.
New Zealand O’pen Bic association representative Barry McKay says the class is giving kids a renewed interest in the sport of sailing. The class has experienced massive growth over the past year and numbers are
climbing.
“We’re taking a fresh look at junior sailing with the overarching focus being on fun; the measure of success being the retention of young sailors in the sport and smiles on faces," he said. "The O’pen Bic is proving to
be the ideal vehicle to achieve this.
“We now anticipate regularly having more than 60 entrants at these regattas and we are just getting started.”
(Russell Coutts runs his eye over the O'pen Bic fleet)
Sir Russell Coutts, who is now 2017 America’s Cup chief executive, is hugely supportive of the O’pen Bic class and the movement towards bringing the fun back into youth sailing in this country.
”The O’pen Bic is a fantastic boat for young sailors to experience the joy of sailing," Coutts said. "It is fast, exciting and fun to sail, yet simple to rig and maintain many of the skills learned in the Bic will be easily transferred to other boats as sailors evolve and progress onto other forms of sailing."
See here to learn about the class and find out how to get involved.
Or contact NZOBA president Geoff Dawson on 0210 411 522 or president@openbic.org.nz; or NZOBA representative Barry McKay on 021 430 619.
