At Glendowie we offer sailors at all levels the ability to learn and develop a passion for sailing that will see them enjoying this sport throughout their life. Some will go on to follow a competitive course while many others will be content to enjoy the social environment of yacht club life and sailing in all its forms.
In the Optimist the Green Fleet is the first competitive division that our young sailors encounter and the NZIODA rules have been amended to allow for on the water coaching at this level. Through this the sailors are able to gain the basics of fleet racing while under the watchful eye of their parents and club members. This same format is now used in many Optimist regattas and our Green Fleet sailors are encouraged to compete at such events.
Once competent at Green Fleet level our sailors are encouraged to move into the Open Fleet Division 2 where they will compete against some of our more experienced Optimist sailors. The majority of our Open Fleet Division 2 sailors compete at inter club and national level.
Once skills have developed to a higher standard, our sailors move up to the Open Fleet Division One. These are our most experienced sailors and all of these sailors compete at inter club and national level. We now offer this group of sailors the opportunity of overseas experience through our six monthly interclub exchange with, Société des Régates Caledoniennes, based in Noumea.
In December 2002 ten of our sailors travelled to Noumea to sail against fifteen of New Caledonias best and in January 2003 the New Caledonian sailors will be here on a two week return visit. Aircalin have sponsored this interclub event and the Around The Island race and Aircalin Cup will now be a regular twice yearly events raced in both Auckland and Noumea.
All our competitive Optimist sailors in both Green Fleet and Open Fleet Division 1 and 2 are offered a mid week coaching program which runs throughout the season. Through this program the sailors learn to develop their boat handling, boat tunning and tactical skills. Run in small groups this program is managed by a group of experienced coaches who are still competing at international level.
As a class the Optimist is the fastest growing junior class in New Zealand and worldwide it attracts a huge number of young sailors up to the age of 15 years. From 8 through to 15 years of age the Optimist is the ideal boat to develop sailing skills and as a club we are committed to its continued growth here in NZ.
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