Issue date
The start of term four means the launch of Yachting New Zealand’s Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! programme for another season, and the Instructors are ready to go!
This season’s Volvo Sailing…Have a go! instructors Henry Message, Reuben Corbett and Simon McVeagh
This year we welcome back two returning instructors, Reuben Corbett and Henry Message.
This will be Reuben’s fifth season running Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! and the experience he brings is a huge asset to the programme. Once again Reuben is looking after the northern region.
Back for a second season, Henry is returning from a summer in Greece to look after the southern region again. He was a hugely popular Instructor last season and we are extremely pleased to have him back.
We have a new Instructor for the Central region this year. Simon McVeagh hails from Wellington and is well known on the coaching scene there, having worked as an Instructor at both Wellington Ocean Sports and Worser Bay Boating Club.
Simon has spent the last few New Zealand winters skippering 40-50 foot multihulls throughout the Caribbean. We are thrilled to have Simon as part of the Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! team this season. He will be traveling around between Auckland and Wellington.
The Volvo Sailing… Have a Go! programme is an introduction-to-sailing initiative designed to get kids into sailing and to help form a link between yacht clubs and their local schools. The focus of a Have-a-Go day is to provide kids with a fun, safe day on the water, with the hope that it captures their imagination leaving them keen to return for a learn-to-sail course. Host clubs are encouraged to use this opportunity to promote their Learn to Sail programme and club activities.
Last season saw over 3400 students try sailing with Volvo Sailing… Have a Go! at their local club, with over 90% expressing an interest in continuing on with sailing.
We have another busy season planned, with the trailers collectively covering the length and width of New Zealand, providing kiwi kids from all over the chance to try sailing. Look out for them on the road or at your local club!
A big thanks to Volvo and The Lion Foundation for their ongoing commitment and support to this fantastic initiative. This season Volvo have provided us with three new XC90s, which are well up to the challenge of towing the jam-packed trailers around the rugged New Zealand roads. Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! would not be possible without them.
More information about Volvo Sailing…Have a Go!
Volvo Sailing… Have a Go! gives students between the ages of 8 and 12 years old the opportunity to experience the thrills of Sailing in a safe and convenient environment. The programme engages students in the marine environment, promotes water safety, builds confidence and independence, encourages teamwork and is, most importantly, fun!!!
There are three trailers each containing six Optimists, two Toppers, one Weta Trimaran, a Rescue Boat, all necessary safety equipment, and one fully qualified and highly experienced sailing Instructor.
Offered to schools throughout the country, the programme operates in term 4 and term 1.
If you are interested in having the Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! trailer visit your club or school find out more here, or contact Danika.
Danika Mowlem | Programmes and Services Coordinator | Yachting New Zealand
DDI (09) 361 4028 | E danika@yachtingnz.org.nz
