Sandringham YC and Ronstan join forces

by Media Services on 17 Mar 2005 Budding sailors no longer need worry about getting drenched as they learn to sail, thanks to a new partnership between Ronstan and Sandringham Yacht Club’s Boating Academy.

Ronstan, Australia’s leading manufacturer of sailboat hardware and sailing equipment, has jumped onboard the Academy’s latest venture – a fleet of six 7.5m Beneteau training yachts – and will provide wet weather gear for learner sailors.

‘The average person who wants to learn to sail, probably doesn’t want to outlay money on a full set of wet weather gear,’ said Rob Ironmonger, Operations Manager of the SYC Boating Academy.

‘Plus, they might think twice about sailing, because they don’t have the professional equipment and think they’ll get wet. Thanks to Ronstan, our coaches and the trainee crew members on our six new Beneteaus will be kitted out in their wet weather gear, so they can learn to sail while staying warm and dry.’

The recent acquisition of the fleet of training keelboats is a milestone for the SYC Boating Academy.

Until now, juniors and adults started in two-handed dinghies, but there was no formal training for those wanting to step up to crewing on a keelboat. The French-built Beneteaus bridge that gap: as well as a coach, they take a crew of five.

‘In just three years, we’ve introduced almost 4000 people to sailing, both juniors in holiday programs and adults in weekend and evening sailing,’ said Ironmonger, adding ‘but the fleet of Beneteaus will offer match racing experience for both youth and senior sailors. We are the first club in Australia to offer this element in our training program.’

Australian Sales Manager, Peter Bulka, said Ronstan was ‘thrilled to be involved with anything that gets people sailing’.

‘We’ve been involved (with sponsorship) at the junior level for some time now, but this yacht will be great for those who have never had the chance to go sailing,’ said Bulka. ‘This is a high-performance yacht so will also be useful for corporate sailing to promote teamwork and leadership in match racing scenarios,’ he said.

The Beneteaus, as well as Ronstan’s new range of wet weather gear, will be on display at the Club Marine Sail Boat Show at Sandringham Yacht Club this weekend.

For more information, visit www.syc.com.au