Junior

Optimist
P Class

An Optimist and P Class racing on a club day.	The junior fleet consist of the Optimist and P class. They race togeather on rating to give all juniors a fair chance. At the end of the season prizes are given for both handicap and championship for Optimist, P class and overall. The club owns 5 Optimists training boats, a P Class and a Viking sailing dinghy. These boats can be used by club members for racing and on training days. Experienced members can also gain access to the boats on non club days with committee approval. Regular training sessions are held for all junior members by Yachting New Zealand accredited coaches.
Optimist	P Class
Length 2.3 m (7ft 7) Sail Area 3.5 sq m (38 sq ft) Conceived in 1947 it is the simplist childrens sail boat and can be found in over 50 countries. The Optimist forms the base of most clubs junior training fleet.	Length 2.1 m (7 ft) Sail Area 8.4 sq m (40 sq ft) Since 1923 this plywood single hander has been the training boat for most of New Zealands sailors. It is more demanding to sail than the Optimist.

An Optimist and P Class racing on a club day.

The junior fleet consist of the Optimist and P class. They race togeather on rating to give all juniors a fair chance. At the end of the season prizes are given for both handicap and championship for Optimist, P class and overall.

The club owns 5 Optimists training boats, a P Class and a Viking sailing dinghy. These boats can be used by club members for racing and on training days. Experienced members can also gain access to the boats on non club days with committee approval.

Regular training sessions are held for all junior members by Yachting New Zealand accredited coaches.

Optimist

P Class

Length 2.3 m (7ft 7)

Sail Area 3.5 sq m (38 sq ft)

Conceived in 1947 it is the simplist childrens sail boat and can be found in over 50 countries.

The Optimist forms the base of most clubs junior training fleet.

Length 2.1 m (7 ft)

Sail Area 8.4 sq m (40 sq ft)

Since 1923 this plywood single hander has been the training boat for most of New Zealands sailors. It is more demanding to sail than the Optimist.

The club owns 5 Optimist training dinghies. These are used by club members on training days in learn to sail clinics, for social sailing on fun days and for racing on general club days. The advantage of using a club boat is that parents can avoid the financial outlay of purchasing a boat until they are sure that their children will continue with the sport. It also allows a window of time for a family to better access its needs.

Beginners will be taken through the clubs learn to sail program. This involves moving through a series of exercises in Yachting New Zealands junior proficiency scheme. Doing this means that the sailor is following a National training program ensuring a continuity of coaching throughout the country. This coaching is done both at formal Club Coaching and during normal Club Racing.The club has a number of Yachting New Zealand accredited coaches.

As the sailor progresses they may wish to tackle the more advanced P Class. This boat is more powerful than the Optimist, and well sailed will be about 10% faster. The rewards for the sailor in mastering the P Class are much greater. Larger children / small adults may wish to try the clubs Viking. This boat is another step up from the P Class and can introduce you to the thrills and challanges of sailing a boat with planing potential.

Junior Training Program

A junior training program will be run during the 2002 - 2003 season. Any people interested are requested to contact the club secretary.