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Briefings - 8th October 2009
In this issue:
Lead Story
Yachting Awards Finalists Announced
 The year’s yachting achievements will be celebrated in November at the 2009 Yachting Excellence Awards and Yachting New Zealand is delighted to announce the finalist nominees for the 2009.
The Yachting Excellence Awards presentation is an annual occasion which consistently attracts a packed audience to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the announcement of Singapore Airlines Sailor of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year. Honour, Merit and Presidents Awards are also presented for service and achievement in the sport of yachting.
Those nominated, coming from the ranks of Olympic, America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, and other great sailing disciplines, have reached the pinnacle of yachting on a national and international level, and join the likes of Sir Peter Blake, Russell Coutts, Mike Sanderson, Barbara Kendall, and Team New Zealand in our sport’s hall of fame.
In 2009 the list of seven finalists for Singapore Airlines Sailor of the Year includes international match racing number one Black Match Racing Team, long time ocean racers, Brad Jackson and Stu Bannatyne plus Olympic class sailors Hamish Pepper, Craig Monk, Michael Bullot and more. This will be no easy decision for the judging panel.
There are nine finalists for Young Sailor of the Year 2009 and this trophy looks set to feature a new name after the reign of Peter Burling and Carl Evans in recent years. Slash World Champion, Declan Burn from Picton is a finalist as are Women’s 420 World Champions Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher. ISAF Youth World Championships Gold medallist in the Laser Class, Sam Meech is also in the line up.
Ticket sales are now open for the Yachting Excellence Awards Dinner on Friday 20th November 2009 at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. This has been a sell out event in past years, so we encourage you to get in early. Click here for the ticket order form.
Singapore Airlines Sailor of the Year Finalists
Black Match Racing Team – Match Racing
Brad Jackson and Stu Bannatyne – Ocean Racing
Mark Perrow – OK Dinghy Class
Michael Bullot – Olympic Laser Class
Bianca Barbarich Bacher and Alexandra Maloney – 420 Class
Blair Tuke – Olympic 49er and 29er Class
Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk – Olympic Star Class
Young Sailor of the Year Finalists
Declan Burn – Splash Class
Finn Drummond and Francisco Lardies – 420 Class
Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders – Olympic 470 Class
Sam Meech – Laser Class
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Team Racing Team – Youth Teams Racing
2009 New Zealand 420 Worlds Team
2009 New Zealand Splash Worlds Team
Bianca Barbarich-Bacher and Alexandra Maloney – 420 Class
Blair Tuke – Olympic 49er and 29er Class
Yachting New Zealand Merit Awards
Michael Bullot – Olympic Laser Class
Emirates Team New Zealand – Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and Audi MedCup
NZB2 Blind Sailing Crew - Blind Sailing
Roger Pagani and crew – International BMW Sailing Cup
Reuben Corbett and crew - Teams Racing
Thomas Saunders – Starling Class
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Team Racing Team - Youth Teams Racing
2009 New Zealand 420 Worlds Team
2009 New Zealand Splash Worlds Team
Blair Tuke - Olympic 49er and 29er Class
Sam Meech – Laser Class
Adam Minoprio - Match Racing
Brad Jackson and Stu Bannatyne – Ocean Racing
Mark Perrow – OK Dinghy Class
Bianca Barbarich-Bacher and Alex Maloney – 420 Class
Declan Burn – Splash Class
Finn Drummond and Francisco Lardies – 420 Class
Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders – Olympic 470 Class
Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk - Olympic Star Class
Yachting New Zealand Honour Awards
Bryan Robson Leckie (deceased)- Waihola Yacht Club
Brian Peet - Glendowie Boating Club
Ross Currie – For Coastal Rescue Efforts (Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club)
Gary Smith - For Coastal Rescue Efforts (Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club)
Greg Harrex - Macandrew Bay Boating Club
John Bullot – Murrays Bay Sailing Club & Richmond Yacht Club
John Old – Timaru Yacht & Powerboat Club
Judy Francis – Muritai Yacht Club
Justin Hurst - Waiuku Yacht Club
Tierry Coles - Wanganui Sailing Club
Trevor Hawke – Wanaka Yacht & Powerboat Club
Vera Mummery - Richmond Yacht Club
Bill Mitchinson - Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club
John Buck - Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club
Kevin Whitehead – Wakatere Boating Club
Graham Catley - Auckland Sailing Club
President’s Award Finalists
Team New Zealand 2000 Trust
Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club
Napier Sailing Club
Queen Charlotte Yacht Club
Wairoa Yacht Club
High Performance & International
ATT: Olympic Class Sailors
IMPORTANT NOTE: The last issue of Briefings included incorrect information about the start time of the Olympic Sailor Get Together on Saturday October 17th. The start time is 7pm or 1900 hours. (not 9am as noted) We apologise for the confusion.
 Planning an Olympic Campaign – Tom Ashley
2pm – 6pm, October 10th (Please note that this date has changed)
Venue: Upstairs at Yachting New Zealand, 85 Westhaven Drive
Tom Ashley will discuss the process he goes through in planning his Olympic campaign as well as the amount of work necessary to reach the top level of sport. The seminar will hopefully include athletes and speakers from Rowing and Kayaking, so it will be a great afternoon and a very good opportunity to interact with and learn from people from other sports.
Olympic Sailor Get Together
7pm, October 17th
Venue: Takapuna Boating Club
All sailors currently campaigning an Olympic class are reminded about the get together on Saturday 17th October. Things will kick off at 7pm at the Takapuna Boating Club.This is an opportunity to get to know each other better and to meet people that you haven’t met yet in order to share knowledge. We will review and celebrate the year, provide feedback from Weymouth 2009 and look ahead to 2010 and 2012.
Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarships 2010
SPARC is now calling for applications for Prime Minister’s Scholarships for 2010. Online applications for yachting open October 8th and close November 20th.
Applications can be made via the high performance sport section of SPARC’s website at www.sparc.org.nz. On line application will be “live” on the SPARC website from the 8th of October 2009. A sample application is available on the SPARC website currently to aid applicants in compiling the appropriate information.
Yachting New Zealand requires that applicants submit a four year plan to accompany their application. Click here to download the four year plan template.
To be eligible it is expected that applicants are currently committed to competing at a high standard at international competition in Olympic, Paralympics or International Youth Classes and have an intention to compete at either the 2012 or 1016 Olympics or Paralympics in the sport of sailing.
Members of Yachting New Zealand Squads and Teams (Olympic Squad, Olympic Development Squad, Talent Development Squad, NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team, and YNZ National Youth Squad, Paralympics Talent Development Squad), carded sailors, and previous scholarship recipients are encouraged to discuss their application with Yachting New Zealand’s Athlete Life Adviser before making application.
Carolyn Donaldson will fill in for Karin Adelinger as Yachting New Zealand’s contact person until the beginning of November. Carolyn’s details are...
Carolyn Donaldson, Athlete Life Advisor/Administrator
NZ Academy of Sport North Island
Physical Address: 71 Merton Road, Glen Innes, Auckland 1072
Postal Address: PO Box 18444, Glen Innes, Auckland 1743
Tel: 367 7165 ext 1 opt 4
Fax: 09 373 7617
All yachting applications should be received by SPARC via the online application system by the close of business Friday 20th of November 2009. Four year plans should also have been received at Yachting New Zealand by this date. Plans should be emailed to reception@yachtingnz.org.nz
For full scholarship information, please refer to the scholarship programme guide (also available at www.sparc.org.nz ) under the high performance sport section.
Lancer RIBs for Coaches
 Yachting New Zealand has commissioned Lancer to supply purpose built coach boats manufactured in their Henderson based factory.
Lancer was chosen after consultation with a number of other manufacturers including international companies. Yachting New Zealand is delighted that the RIBs set to be put to work by our coaches are New Zealand built.
Lancer, a New Zealand based RIB manufacturer have been working closely with Yachting New Zealand to design a style of RIB that will meet the rigorous demands of a sailing coach. The first boat is expected to hit the water by early November.
Pictured with the first hull under construction are Lancer’s Product Manager, Johnny Winstone (foreground) and Bruce Hopwood (left)
Team Jolly report: Jo and Polly
 Team Jolly – Jo Aleh and Olivia (Polly) Powrie report on the recent Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta sailed in Weymouth, England late last month. The girls, coached by Nathan Handley, came away with a silver medal.
“We were sailing in Portland, out of the GBR sailing academy – which is the venue for the 2012 Games. Which by the way is an amazing set up, with massive launching ramps, huge concreted rigging and boat storage areas, and usually good breeze! So we went into the regatta with the idea that really we were there to learn, as it was our first chance to see exactly where we would be racing come the Games, and how it would all work.
“That idea paid off rather well on the first day, when we excelled in the 12-16 knots of breeze, with plenty of pace, and some rather nice starts (we had a bit of making up to do after all those shocking ones at worlds…). We got away on the top reach of both races, winning the first one by rather a lot, and then in the second, having a great final downwind battle with the French, passing them just before the bottom mark to make it two from two.”
The pair went on to record some good and some not so good results over the subsequent few days of racing, but sailing well enough to go into the medal race in 4th place.
“So we went into the final medal race day with nothing to lose, we were in 4th overall, with points close from 1st to 8th. For a change, there was very little wind, and we sat around on shore crossing our fingers that we would actually get a race in (as a few of the other classes got abandoned). But luckily for us, the wind came in just in time for our race and we had a nice 5-8 knots by the time the start came. We got away to a nice start, but the individual recall flag went up (someone was over at the gun) and we held our nerve as the three boats around us circled back around the line as they thought they were over. We were ‘pretty sure’ we were ok, but there was a tense moment at the top mark, waiting to see if the race committee boat was going to pull us out of the race especially as we were leading around that said top mark…. From there we stayed safely ahead and won the race by about twenty metres.”
“From there it was a wait and see how everyone else finished up behind us, to see where we would end up overall. So it was a welcome surprise to find out we had moved up to 2nd overall, a great end to a rather tough regatta, and a great end to the year, where we certainly went above and beyond what we had anticipated (our whole aim for the year was top 15 at worlds…). With some great results, and still ever so much more to improve on, we are pretty sure we are nicely on track for our goals in 2012. So now it is time to head home, and have a few weeks off before we get straight back into it, with plenty to do before we head to Aus in late November to race in two regattas over there.”
BlackMatch Video Action
BlackMatch in Bermuda:  Photo by Jenny Warner
On form New Zealand match racing team, BlackMatch is excited to release a new promotional video. You can check it out on youtube - click here.
“This video was produced by a friend of ours Hamish Hooper, who is a New Zealand based Sailing TV producer/editor,” says BlackMatch. “We are extremely grateful to have had Hamish's generous and professional help."
BlackMatch Racing are currently competing at the Argo Group Gold Cup World Tour Event in Bermuda. This is the penultimate event on the World Tour and with a host of legendary past winners that include Kiwi’s Russell Coutts and Chris Dickson, and BlackMatch are hoping to go one better on their second placing last year. The Gold Cup is unique in that it is sailed in the beautiful classic International One Design Yachts that date back to the 1930’s and it also has a format unlike any other match racing event, which allows 24 teams to compete. Click here for the latest news and results.
BlackMatch Racing is Adam Minoprio, Dan Mclean, Tom Powrie, Nick Blackman and David Swete.
Vote for Frankie and Finn
Frankie Lardies and Finn Drummond won silver at the 420 World Championships in Italy in August. The pair, now in the Olympic class 470, is chasing sponsorship from Toyota, and a simple on line vote from you could help them secure the support.
Every two months Toyota has a new Believe Scholarship up for grabs. Scholarship recipients are provided with a maximum of $3,000 per scholarship to give them a head start with getting a project (idea, endeavour) off the ground.
"We have just finished the last season with a highlight at the Open 420 World Championships in Italy with a silver medal,” says Frankie and Finn. “We were racing in a fleet of 121 boats and it was very satisfying to be able to compete at a world class level. We are thrilled by this result and would like to continue in the Olympic 470 class. The scholarship would be put to good use by going towards competing on the European circuit next year, and helping us in our quest to the Olympics… We feel with Toyotas help, we will be able to achieve our goals and realize our full potential".
Toyota’s web site visitors who will choose who should receive the Believe Scholarship. The successful recipient will be the person who has the most votes from the Believe Scholarship voting page at the end the two month voting period.
Vote for Finn and Frankie now... click here
Japanese Youth Sailing Exchange Program 2010.
 In 2009 Yachting New Zealand, in partnership with the Japanese Sailing Federation and the Yamaha Motor Foundation for Sport offered a youth sailing exchange program which provided an opportunity for New Zealand sailors to travel to Japan to compete in a number of key Japanese Youth Sailing Events. Sailors who participated in the program competed in the YMFS Sailing Challenge Cup, which was held on Hamana Lake in Shizuok as well as the Japanese Youth Sailing Nationals.
We are pleased to announce that through the generous support of our Japanese partners we are able to offer this opportunity again in 2010. Next year’s program will provide travel, charter, accommodation for four sailors who will travel to Japan between the 18th & 29th of March.
Applications are now sought for sailors interested in taking up this offer.
Yachting New Zealand will nominate one girl and one boy to compete in the Laser Radial division, as well as one 420 crew (a boy team or a girl team). The successful nominees will have flights, accommodation, and boats provided by the hosts, and will have an opportunity to gain international regatta experience, make friends and experience the Japanese culture. Yachting New Zealand will send a coach/chaperone with the selected sailors for support during the tour.
Yachting New Zealand wishes to thank Mr Yasuyuki Hakomori, the Yamaha Motor Foundation for Sport and the Japanese Sailing Federation for providing this wonderful opportunity.
Click here for the application form on the Yachting New Zealand website. Applications close 29th January 2010. Successful applicants will be notified soon after this.
HSBC Premier Coastal Classic: Don’t miss the start line action
 The HSBC Premier Coastal Classic is one of the world’s biggest yacht races, starting off Devonport Wharf in Auckland and finishing 119 nautical miles later off Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands.
Getting a good clear start is crucial to sailing in good position out of the Hauraki Gulf and the startline provides intense, boat on boat action between the 230+ boats racing that is absolutely terrific viewing and a great opportunity to photograph or report on an iconic Auckland event.
The startline extends between Devonport Wharf and Bastion Point at the eastern end of the Waitemata Harbour. From there they round North Head and progress on the first leg of their 119 nautical mile journey to Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands.
Prestart action from 9.30am, Friday 23 October 2009, starts from 10am, with boats finishing Friday night – Saturday night in Russell. Prime land based viewing locations are Devonport Wharf, Bastion Point or North Head.
A guest appearance from the record setting 100 foot supermaxi, Alfa Romeo 2, and the return of Split Enz – the boat that has held the race record unchallenged for 13 years - will make 2009 a very special race.
HARKEN Labour Weekend Regatta
 The Bay of Islands Yacht Club is extending a warm invitation to all Senior Centreboard and Catamaran Class Sailors to come to the balmy Bay of Islands for some fun sailing.
On Saturday 24th October we do one Harbour Course Race with a mass start at 1pm so that those coming up with the Coastal Classic can take part - or take a discard. Sunday and Monday will be course racing open to all centreboard classes and catamarans. Optimists will be run as a separate event Sunday and Monday only.
For the Notice of Race please have a look at the YNZ calendar or on the Club website
Gaming Trust Funding
Recently media attention has been given to gaming societies and charitable trusts causing some concern with sports bodies and clubs about the prospect of this funding stream drying up. SPARC has done some investigating and released a statement which helps to clarify matters and allay fears.
Des Brennan, YNZ Chief Executive says, “The following information forwarded from SPARC should eliminate fears that there is any risk to the funding of sport activities by major gaming trusts. These trusts have provided themselves with a wider ability to fund beyond ‘charitable purposes.”
“Trusts which have restricted themselves to ‘charitable purposes’ may still fund sport club activities – it is a matter of presenting appropriate projects,” says Brennan.
Here is the information from SPARC...
SPARC is aware of the anxiety recent media attention about gaming societies and charitable purposes has caused. SPARC has been in contact with the five larger Gaming Trusts, the Charities Commission and DIA to clarify the issue, and it is our belief there is no doubt that amateur sport can be funded by gaming societies.
The two press releases: one from the Minister of Internal Affairs and one from the Department of Internal Affairs, confirm this.
Gaming societies have been asked to ensure that any grants they make comply with their legal obligations. Some gaming societies have charitable purposes, and they are looking more closely at applications from sports organisations to make sure the applications are also for charitable purposes. A small number of societies have gone further and taken the disappointing step of suspending all grants to sport – there is no need for them to have taken this blanket approach.
When sports organisations are making applications to gaming societies, it pays to check whether the society in question has charitable purposes. If it does, the applications should reflect those charitable purposes. For example, the application might relate to a public benefit such as the promotion of health or education or the provision of public facilities.
Many of your member organisations may also qualify for registration as charities under the Charities Act 2005. There are costs and benefits associated with registering as a charity, but one of the benefits is that it may be easier to obtain grants from gaming machine societies and other granting organisations that have charitable purposes.
The Charities Commission has published some helpful material about what sorts of sports activities are charitable and which sports organisations can apply to become charities: click here
SPARC’s advice to sports organisations seeking grants from gaming societies is to ensure that they understand the requirements of the gaming society in question and tailor their application to meet the gaming society’s requirements. For some gaming societies, applications have to be for charitable purposes. If in doubt, contact the gaming society.
New Race Officials
The Yachting New Zealand Race Committee has recently appointed the following Race Officials:
Club Race Officers
Lynn Porter, Lowry Bay Yacht Club
Gay Noyer, Sandspit Yacht Club
Gun Caundle, Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club
National Race Officers
Celia Carson, Royal New Zealand yacht Squadron
Brett Linton, Worser Bay Boating Club
Club Umpire (Match Racing)
John Grace, Paremata Boating Club
Hana Maguire, Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club
Congratulations! And a big thank you for the time and effort you all put back into the sport.
Date Change - Club Instructor Course Kerikeri
This course will now run on 13, 14 & 15 November 2009 applications to attend close on 30 October. Click here for more information.
Marine Information Evening in Auckland
A Marine Information Evening is to be held at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club – Monday 9th November, from 5.30pm.
Coastguard will be doing a flare demo and various other providers of marine safety equipment and technology will be there with the experts on hand to answer questions. There will also be a raffle and Sausage Sizzle with all proceeds going to the RAYC Junior Sailing Academy.
Please contact kevin@rayc.org.nz for further information or to advise attendance.
Summary of Welded Keels Requirements
The Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations 2009-2012 which came into effect 1 January 2009 differs from the previous version in some aspects, one of them relating to welded keels. The requirements for construction and inspection of welded keels were expanded.
Boat owner, and partner at McElroys Litigation Lawyers, Matthew Flynn has written an explanatory paper for fellow boat owners which summarises the implications of the new requirements. The paper was written independently by Flynn, and he has agreed that Yachting New Zealand make it available for interested parties.
Click here for Matthew Flynn’s paper: Welded Keels – Important Changes to the Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations.
Note: A Yachting New Zealand appointed group of industry experts continues to work on clarifying the more recent ISAF Offshore Special Regulations Structural Plan Review.
HSBC Premier supports Sailing Have A Go!
The HSBC Premier Coastal Classic teams up with Sailing…Have A Go!
 This year, the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic has teamed up with Yachting New Zealand’s Sailing...Have A Go! as an official support partner to the programme.
Sailing…Have A Go! is a nationwide programme introducing children to the fun and excitement of sailing. It’s offered to students in Year 6, 7 and 8 giving them the opportunity to experience the pleasure of sailing in a safe, well managed environment.
How you can help? Fundraising is underway to continue to provide this fantastic programme to children across the country. You can support Sailing...Have A Go! by making a donation to the following bank account, administered by HSBC Premier:
Sailing Have A Go
30-2934-0587764-88
All donations will go directly to the Sailing...Have A Go! programme and will be matched by HSBC Premier up to NZ$5,000. For more information on Sailing...Have A Go! visit www.sailing.org.nz
Sailing…Have A Go! day
HSBC Premier is going to have a Sailing...Have A Go! day in Russell on Saturday, 24 October to coincide with the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic. The fun will start at 1pm on Russell beach and will continue till 4pm, weather permitting and depending on the demand for the programme.
This is a great opportunity for children of all ages to have a go at one of New Zealand’s most celebrated sports. If you are planning to attend the Sailing…Have A Go! day please email marketing@hsbc.co.nz to register your interest (this will assist us with the organising of the event).
A small donation to take part in the event will be requested on the day with all proceeds going to Sailing…Have A Go!
Big plans at Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club
 Pictured: Glenfield College students at NBYC for an Introduction to Sailimg Course
The Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club is set to take on a new lease of life with exciting plans for a major renovation to the club house in the pipeline.
The Club has also embarked on a mission to revitalize by becoming the North Shore hub for High Schools Teams Racing.
“Our major headache is boat storage,” explains Commodore Graham Thow. “We were granted approval to install a security fenced Boat Storage Compound on Birkenhead Wharf which has gone some way to alleviating the issue of storage and rigging - derigging times, but as we need three more 420s for the Club allowing two teams to train against each other, boat storage becomes even more critical.”
After concluding that the current facilities are a bit tired and in need of a revamp a core group of motivated Club members have forged ahead with plans to upgrade the club rooms and expand the current storage capacity. Resource consent has been granted for the Club’s renovation with plans for construction being finalized before building consent is lodged.
With the storage issue solved, Commodore Graham Thow is excited about the prospect of exploiting a niche in the school sailing scene. “Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club is currently working with North Shore City Council and three local High Schools, to develop a Youth Sailing Programme,” says Thow. “Students will have the opportunity to Learn to Sail and Race, gain NCEA credits, and learn tactical skills to allow
formation of High School 420 Teams Racing Crews from each school. These crews will compete in local, regional and hopefully national regattas.”
The Club is seeking sponsorship for their youth programme from local businesses. “We urgently need sponsors, to help students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience the benefits which sailing can add to their education,” says Thow.
Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club is a family friendly boating Club that offers Club owned boats, including Optimists, 420s and X3s, for hire to members and to the public . Located on Birkenhead Wharf, to the west of Auckland Harbour Bridge, overlooking the Waitemata Harbour’s upper reaches, Northcote Birkenhead is the only yacht club in the western side of North Shore City.
It offers all tide launching from a concrete ramp, ample parking, uncluttered sailing waters, where sailors will quickly develop the skills necessary to sail in an area where high tidal flows offer an added challenge. Many of New Zealand’s top International sailors hone their skills in preparation for Olympic and World Championship competition in these sailing waters, because they replicate conditions faced in many of Europe’s sailing venues.
To find out more about the Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club visit their website.
Canterbury Sailing Success Story
For more than ten years Canterbury Sailing Ltd has been introducing Canterbury kids to sailing. The success of this scheme is reflected in the number of students that take part; well over 3000 in the 2008/9 season from over 60 primary and intermediate schools.
So, what is it that attracts Canterbury schools and teachers to sailing? “A new government education policy to encourage schools to place more time and emphasis on sport and recreation is a major reason,” believes Geoff Wright, Principal of Canterbury Sailing Ltd. “Sailing has the ability to cover the entire current outdoor activities curriculum, a sort of one stop shop.”
Canterbury Sailing Ltd. is building good personal relationships and trust with schools, which is never a short-term endeavour.
“Schools are very aware of risk management issues that surround any sporting and outdoor pursuit,” says Geoff Wright. “The balance between having good wholesome fun and learning coupled with a vital risk management matrix is a constant juggle. The answer to this lies in experienced qualified staff that recognise risk before it becomes an issue. Without skilled and dedicated coaches, instructors and management none of this would be possible.”
“Canterbury Sailing Ltd takes this on board and for this reason we invest time and energy in training our young, and not so young people, and pay them well to deliver these programmes in the classroom and on the water.”
“As a result of this success with schools, we now have a number of Canterbury sailing clubs approaching us to deliver their Learn to Sail and coaching programmes. With this relationship, we have developed a clear pathway into the club system. These Clubs see the benefit of our LTS and coaching in terms of professional delivery, less stress on volunteers and resources, and above all young sailor retention - up to 60% over 3 years.”
The success of all these programmes is the culmination of many years hard-dedicated work. With the building of new relationships with clubs and the expansion of participating schools, we see a bright future for sailing in Canterbury.
Radio Yachties off to compete in USA
 Two members of the New Zealand EC12 Owners Association are heading off with their large radio control yachts to attend the Morgan Black International Regatta in early October in Charleston, South Carolina. Chris Harmer and Brian Hogg are both from Paraparumu.
The EC12 is a 1/20th scale of a 1964 America’s Cup 12M designed by Charlie Morgan who has many years of America’s Cup success to his credit. Buddy Black obtained a tank test model and created a mould which was the foundation of this class in about 1970 – hence the event name.
This event was initially held for the first time in 2006 at Motueka, New Zealand, with this being the 2nd time the event has been staged.
There will be 30 boats at the event with entrants from New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, England, Sweden, and the USA. Fleet Racing will be held over 3 days from 8-10 October.
Full event information is at the regatta website
Lion New Zealand celebrates 25 years
 The Lion Maritime Development Trust invites you to join in celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Lion New Zealand.
Be there to see an unmissable panel discussion by Grant Dalton, Peter Montgomery and original crew. The Lion Maritime Development Trust will announce plans for future generations to benefit from this iconic vessel. And there will be a unique opportunity to bid for a berth on the 2009 Sydney to Hobart Race as well as other amazing experiences.
When: Saturday, 17th October 2009, 7:00pm
Where: NZ National Maritime Museum, Maritime Room, Viaduct Harbour
Cost: $85.00
Dress: Cocktail
Drinks and substantial finger food will be provided
For tickets please phone (09) 359 5987, visit www.lionnewzealand.com or email info@lionnewzealand.com
Sailability Auckland Open Day
 Sailability Auckland welcomes anyone interested to join them for an Open Day at Westhaven this Saturday. Here are the details...
Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 10am – 2pm
Venue: Westhaven Marina – adjacent to Yachting New Zealand and Marine Industry Association
RSVP: 9 October Ring or email Tim on 834 0557, 0274 844 716 or sailabilityauckland@xtra.co.nz
All equipment will be supplied just bring a warm jacket and some sunscreen if it’s fine. If you need to be lifted into a boat we have a hoist and slings available, feel free to bring your own sling if you prefer. If you would like more information please contact Tim (details above)
Sailability Auckland provides opportunities for children, youth and adults with disabilities to learn to sail, or just to experience being in control of a sailing boat. “Our aim is to provide children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to sail in safety and to experience adventure and freedom - building mobility, self confidence and pride through achievement”
AYBA and Woody Bay
 The Auckland Yacht & Boating Association (AYBA) and Auckland boaties are awaiting a decision from the Auckland Regional Council, about an application to keep an individual mooring in Woody Bay on Rakino Island. The application was open for public submissions earlier this year, and AYBA and hundreds of boaties submitted against having an individual mooring in one of Auckland's most popular boating destinations. The many written submissions were followed by a coordinated set of presentations to the hearing panel.
The lone mooring in Woody Bay is all that is left after ARC stated that the many illegal moorings in Woody Bay, and elsewhere, should be removed. The clean-up followed ARC's decision to reject a proposal for Mooring Management Areas in Woody Bay and Home Bay. That decision acknowledged the value of Woody Bay for recreational boating.
ARC's "Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal" sets out the criteria for allowing and rejecting individual moorings and Mooring Management Areas within the coastal marine area. Not surprisingly, the Plan provides some measure of protection to those parts of the coast that have special significance.
Stephen Wagstaff, Chairman of AYBA says, “It is important that clubs and boaties are represented when consent applications and other matters are being processed, so that our spectacular coastline remains available to current and future generations.”
Port Gore Marlborough marine farm denied
In a victory for recreational users of the picturesque Marlborough Sounds the Marlborough Council has declined the proposed Sanford Pool Head marine farm in Port Gore.
“Port Gore has a good chance now of retaining its status as the "wilderness paradise" of the Marlborough Sounds as we all know it,” says Cliff and Dianne Marchant of Port Gore.
A marine farm will go ahead at Gannett Point but the ok was only given for an eight year period rather than the usual 20 years. Eight years down the track the Gannet Point farm will be re-assessed.
Ferry Master talks to Picton yachties
 “Too many skippers of small craft take chances with the ferries and at times it scares us,” said Dave Truscott Master of Kaitaki the biggest of the Interisland ferries. “If something goes wrong, Kaitaki can take from 500 to 700 metres to stop. It just isn’t worth the risk” he said.
Talking to a large group of skippers from the Waikawa Boating Club racing fleet at a pre-season briefing recently Dave described what it was like to have a fleet of 40 yachts scattered across his path as Kaitaki came out of Picton Bay already doing 17 knots. “Sometimes it looks like there’s nowhere to go. It’s particularly hard in a fresh breeze when the yachts are split up and moving fast.” he said.
He described how for normal traffic the ferry crew monitor the course, speed and nearest approach of boats but for a large fleet this was not practical, and whilst he endeavours to cause as little disruption to the race as he can sometimes the only practical action is to get on the normal course and maintain it. The yacht skippers are aware they must keep clear but if they are crossing ahead of the ship they must also make allowances for contingencies, e.g. broaching. He said that there had been a great improvement in the response of club boats – taking sensible decisions early and in general keeping well clear. He wished that other boaties would do the same.
A question was asked regarding the proposal to introduce into the Bylaws a ‘moving exclusion zone’ around the ferries. Information received after the meeting indicates that this will be submitted to Council and includes a 500 metre exclusive zone in front to the ferries and 50 metres either side. This is not part of the Bylaws at this time.
The racing skippers at the meeting were particularly pleased to hear first hand of difficulties ferries faced. It was a good lead in to the very full racing programme planned for the coming season which starts at the weekend with the Summerhouse opening day race.
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