In full sail best describes the learn-to-sail programme for kids operated by key figures of the Motueka Yacht and Cruising Club.
Twenty six youngsters, aged between eight and 12, had to be turned away for the second season and organisers don’t want a repeat of that.
“It has grown a lot faster than we expected. Word had got around and we were swamped but if you take in more students than you can handle, then you don’t do well. We have gained massive support from the club, community and our sponsors who are a simply amazing team,” insists Paul Appleby who was the driving force behind the coaching clinics.
“We have a group of really dedicated coaches and a whole heap of really good kids. We are planning more classes this summer, including an all-girls one with female coaches, but we need more coaches to be able to do that.”
There are currently four or five but they would like at least eight.
The original intake has graduated from the Sailqube dinghies, or Optimists, to the bigger Phase 2 boats which as the name suggests take two sailors.
Sponsors keep chipping in, donating a trailer which has been modified to house and then transport the six Sailqubes as well as a new RIB centre consol which can take two coaches and some parents out on the water as well.
The rookies start out in the “Frog Pond” adjacent to the club and the more advanced then sail off the Motueka saltwater baths.
“We are working with Tasman District Council to try and get an access ramp there so we can get the dinghies up and down the beach a lot easier,” says Paul.
All the coaches are volunteers including Paul’s trailer yacht sailing mate Rowan Boot.
“It is really enjoyable seeing kids going from being unsure to becoming confident in what’s happening with the boats. It was great taking my group to compete in the Grossi Point Regatta,” says Rowan whose class has graduated from intermediate to advanced level.
Motueka Yacht and Crisuing Club Commodore Alister Body subs in when required and is right onboard with the programme’s aims.
“Yacht clubs have a certain demographic and it tends to be a bit older. This club has a very strong membership, owns the jetty and has 43 berths but we haven’t got a club in the future unless we have new people coming through. So this is a good vibe,” declares Alister.
‘It is also really important for young people to have water skills whether they go onto be sailors or not.”
Before the new season starts in October, four of the coaches plan to officially upskill.
Despite Paul and Rowan’s vast experience, they will be attending a Yachting New Zealand level one and two coaching course in Lyttleton next month.
The club hopes to stage its own regatta for all ages over summer.
The trio points out the coaching, at $20 a session, isn’t expensive.
“By the time you set up, go out on the water and then unpack it’s up to two and half hours to three hours. The kids love doing capsize drills. If they are not having fun, they aren’t going to learn,” says Paul.
‘It is fun for us too. We volunteers get a huge amount of enjoyment out of the sailing programme.”
