11 March 09

Junior Sailing

New Sailors show skill in recent champs

With bad weather over the last two sailing weekends forcing the cancellation of our sail to Clarks Beach the lack of sailing and last 2 days of tuition didn’t show for Sam Yelchich and Cameron Fleming When they completed their first race last weekend.  They both showed they have already developed into promising young sailors and will most likely develop into good keen yacht racers.

 

With the Clarks Beach cruise having to be cancelled 2 sailing weekends in a row due to bad weather we have not had a chance to fully acknowledge the achievements of our Learn to Sail juniors. Even though the Learn to Sail program is officially over we are going to have a Learn to Sail finale on March 29, sailing at 12.30 with wind up and certificates at 2pm.

 

Outside March 29 we encourage Learn to Sail sailors to come and use the opti's , make sure you bring a parent for supervision and let Justin or Geoff know you are going sailing.

 

In Junior racing Sophie Letcher and Morgan Sharp have a battle royal in their new boats with Sophie managing to just hold Morgan back most races.  Holidays and other summer activities have had an impact on our racing fleet. 

 

Senior Sailing

The Finn fleet is as big and competitive as it has been for a long time.  With a representative team heading for the Nationals in Christchurch, the competition is tough and very close.

Kevin Stone has a strong hold on the Club Champs series although last weekend he struggled with gear breakages, lucky they are happening now and not at the Nationals.

Conditions dependant we have some very real contenders for taking the National Championship.  Alan Dawson, Kevin Stone, Raymond Hall, Roger Hall and David Hoogenboom  could all take the title if the regatta goes their way.

At the Manukau Regatta John Simmons showed his racing prowess after brushing the cobwebs off his Laser.  Apparently watching the very close racing amongst the Finns has been too much. John is now the proud owner of a Finn and is expected to be competitive.  John could add more interest to the upcoming Finn Veterans regatta.

 

See http://www.wyc.org.nz/results.html  for latest Champs standings.

 

Life Member

Kevin McGee is the clubs newest Life Member.  We are going to celebrate Kevin’s contribution to the club and his becoming a Life Member on April 12 , please make a note of this date and join us.

 

Other news

Thanks to the Producers Trust, the club is being fitted with Heat Pumps to take the chill off the air for both our winter sailors and other users of the Club, particularly Community Education.

 

Thanks to Peter Hull for ensuring our First Aid kits are kept up to scratch.

 

We are looking for people that are interested in manning rescue boats, setting courses and starting races when running boat starts.  Yachting NZ runs a range of courses including rescues boat driving, if you are interested and would like to be one of our boat drivers we would be happy to contribute to the course cost.  Please contact Geoff Letcher if you are interested.

 

Pictures for Website

If you have recently taken some great pictures at the club and don't mind them posted on the website, please email to info@wyc.org.nz