RNZYS seeking youth sailing teams for 2019 National Youth Training Weeks
The RNZYS is seeking teams for this year’s 2019 National Youth Training Weeks.
The weeks are designed specifically for younger teams from Secondary Schools or Yacht Clubs around New Zealand who are keen to get involved in keelboat racing.
Held at Kawau Island, the event is split in to two separate weeks between Monday 2ndand Sunday 8thDecember – and Monday 9thand Saturday 14th– teams only take part in one week.
Each year Yacht Clubs and Secondary Schools from around New Zealand are invited to send a four person youth crew to share in the intensive sailing experience synonymous with our world-renowned RNZYS Youth Training Programme (YTP). Teams taking part in the National Youth Training Weeks are then encouraged to get involved in the RNZYS YTP and the HARKEN National Secondary School Keelboat Championships.
The week of training gives young sailors the opportunity to receive intensive theoretical and practical instruction in the various aspects of competitive keelboat racing in a disciplined environment. The Squadron provides an experienced range of world class coaches to assist in running the event including RNZYS YTP Head Coach Reuben Corbett, current YTP sailors and graduates, along with other professional sailors.
Not only is the week a good learning experience on the water for these teams, but it is also a great team building and character building exercise as the teams are away from home in a school camp like environment.
The RNZYS National Youth Training weeks were established in 1989 and has seen thousands of young keelboat sailors come through the programme.
RNZYS Youth Training Programme Coach Reuben Corbett is excited about the prospect of another batch of young sailors keen to get their feet wet in the keelboat racing scene –
“It’s always a very exciting and fun week. It’s very rewarding as a coach because we have a lot of kids come through who don’t have a lot of experience in keelboat sailing but by the time they leave they have learnt a lot and are much more confident and knowledgeable in keelboat sailing and are ready to take it to the next level.”
Trainees must be between 14 and 20 years of age and have a reasonable standard of sailing competency and experience. Teams must be made up of four sailors to fit the four team positions of helm, main, trim and bow – however individual entries are also accepted.
All training is completed in the Squadrons fleet of Elliott 7 keelboats.
If you wish to enter a team or individual in this year’s National Youth Training Weeks then please complete and expression of interest form HEREor email: raceoffice@rnzys.org.nz
More information on the RNZYS National Youth Training Weeks HERE
