40 young sailors complete the RNZYS National Youth Training Week

Kawau Island, 11 December 2011
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron National Youth Training Week ended on Sunday, with another 40 young sailors completing an intensive sail training camp at Kawau Island.
Young sailors from 10 clubs as far south as Bluff Yacht Club and as far North as KeriKeri Cruising Club took up the challenge of 6 days of racing on the Elliott 7m yachts provided by the RNZYS Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme.
“It is a big challenge for them” commented Coach Guy Pilkington “but being at Kawau Island with no other distractions they learn pretty quick!
At the beginning of the week YTP members jump onboard as coaches and after a couple of days they are on their own. Last week was great, we had a lot of fun and they were an awesome group!
The only disappointment this year was not being able to race home from Kawau to Westhaven. We pulled the pin on it early as it was gusting 40 at Tiri and wind against tide!”

For most of the sailors it is their first time sailing a keelboat, with a spinnaker, using a spinnaker pole, and now with the new Elliott 7’s this adds the use of prods and gennakers.
All the teams completed drills training such as bearaway sets & leeward drops, with fleet racing at the end of each day and even some match racing in Bon Accord Harbour.

Well over 300 photos are posted on the RNZYS facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Royal-New-Zealand-Yacht-Squadron-RNZYS/168073233205572

Established in 1990

The National Youth Training Week was established in 1990 to give young New Zealanders a chance to experience the intensive sail training that is synonymous with the RNZYS Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme.
Applications are sent to all New Zealand Yacht Clubs in August each year, but get in quick because it is first come first served.

For any further information on the National Training Week or the RNZYS Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme please contact Sara Tucker stucker@rnzys.org.nz