The Plastic Fantastic Intergalactic Championships
by Drew Hulton-Smith on 9 Aug 2009
Try doing this with a non-plastic boat - The Plastic Fantastic Intergalactic Championships Drew Hulton-Smith
Plastics are a modern day miracle and it would be hard to imagine life without them, but this convenience comes at a cost. A huge proportion of plastic waste ends up in our waterways and oceans where it seems to last almost indefinitely.
While there are active measures underway to reduce plastic waste and to clean up this man-made flotsam, one small sailing club on the Gold Coast is doing all they can to try and get more plastic into our oceans.
On Saturday 29th August 2009, The Southport School Sailing Club and Sail Training Centre will host 'The Plastic Fantastic Intergalactic Championships' on the Nerang River.
For well over a decade, TSSSC has utilized the Laser Pico dinghy class for basic sail training, and in recent years has also acquired RS Feva XL’s. Today, albeit now on their fourth suit of sails, second set of rudders and third set of masts, the original Pico hulls are still going strong despite almost daily hard use at the hands of their novice teenage skippers. If these hulls were made of anything other than plastic, they would almost certainly be in the landfill by now.
Plastic boats have come a long way since the original Topper made its huge impact nearly 30 years ago, and practically every major manufacturer now offers a plastic training version to complement their top-end glass and exotic based boats. More and more clubs and training establishments have come to realize the practical and financial merits of plastic boats, but to a large degree they have not gained respect as a viable racing alternative, often denigrated by the learned elders as 'Tupperware'.
The Plastic Fantastic Intergalactic Championships recognizes the role of plastic training boats and provides an important opportunity to trainee youth sailors. The event is conducted as a distinct division within the larger 'Centenary Trophy Regatta' and is open to all classes of Plastic boats and all sailors under 21 years of age, however all competitors are limited to novice or trainee levels only – sailing experience of a year or less and competition experience no higher than Club level. Courses are straightforward Windward/Leeward configurations and full on-water coaching is permitted.
Competitors do not necessarily have to be a Silver Card member of a Yachting Australia Club, current enrolment at any Yachting Australia or RYA endorsed sail training centre is sufficient. It is hoped that all clubs and YATC’s will see the merits of this event and encourage their students to get involved. In addition, all instructors and coaches from training centers with eligible boats are welcome to come and help coach their students around the course.
In addition to the domestic fleet of Picos and Fevas, the event is expected to draw X3’s, Oppis, O’Pen BIC’s, RS Tera’s and the new breed Topper boats. For further information, the Notice of Race, Entry Forms and Regatta Posters go to www.tss.yachting.org.au or contact the Club on (07) 5531 9895.
TSSSC is an affiliated Yachting Australia Sailing Club and Training Centre committed exclusively to junior and youth sailing and is strictly a 100% alcohol, drug and smoke free venue.
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