Glendowie Boating Club offers three levels of Coaching and training for Optimist Dinghies.
For first time sailors, nine years or over, we run a Learn to Sail Programme, where tuition is provided by YNZ qualified instructors under the direction of the Club Sailing Master. Yachting New Zealand Level One Certificates are issued to skippers successfully completing the programme. This course is run over eight weeks with two intakes each season, September and February. The course is run on club sailing days being Sundays, so that new members quickly feel part of the club and see what the racing fleets offer. The Learn to Sail programme covers wind direction and weather, rigging, basis rope work, safety, basic rules, launching and recovery, and basic sailing skills, through a mix of onshore demonstration and practical sailing. Participants are required to provide their own boat and parental attendance at each session is essential.
The second level is Learn to Race. Here we prepare the sailor for Green Fleet racing, teaching them race procedure, race preparation, starting sequences, racing rules mark rounding and so on. Just before they more into the Green Fleet, they are given some full-length practice races with their own starts.
The Fee for the Learn to Sail and Learn to Race Programme is $60 plus the Family Membership of $125.
The Third level is Green Fleet where more emphasis is placed on the racing. More advanced techniques are taught with a view to attending regattas.
At Glendowie Boating Club, we aim to provide sailing in a safe and stimulating environment, with an emphasis on fun with little pressure. A fast learning or competitive sailor can move through the groups quickly if they wish or can stay in a group until he/she feels confident to move on.
