Issue date
Hamilton Yacht Club ran its annual Optisail and Youth Training Camp between 15th and 18th January.
The four day live in camp ran this year with 18 sailors from Hamilton, Clarks Beach (Auckland) and Gisborne Yacht Clubs aged between 9 and 14 years.
“Our aim was to improve sailors personal sailing skills including boat handling, boat tuning and race skills. Many sailors have just graduated from a Learn-to-sail although we also have sailors who have been sailing for several years who wish to advance their skills further. We had a mixture of Optimists, Ps, Firebugs and Starlings,” explains Dave Smith, Optisail Co-ordinator at Hamilton Yacht Club.
All coaches are Yachting New Zealand qualified as either Race Coach or Club Instructor.
“The coaching team this year consisted of Matt Hunter as our Head Coach with Jonathon McMullan, Haylee Hunter and Hannah Maxwell as coaches. They worked extremely hard during the week in improving the sailor’s skills and enjoyment of their sport,” says Dave.
“Deirdre Robertson was our hard grafting Catering Manager with me as our Co-ordinator. And we were very fortunate to be joined this year by both Charlie Baillie-Strong – Coach Development Officer, YNZ and Hamish Hey, NZCT Regional Support Officer, YNZ.”
“Having Charlie and Hamish join the coaching team enhanced both sailors and coaches’ skill level.”
A big thank you goes out to Wel Energy Trust for their kind financial support of the Hamilton Yacht Club coaching programme this year.
