All I want for Christmas is an Optimist!

by Jardine Media on 14 Dec 2009 Ozi Opti are offering a great deal for Clubs looking to upgrade their junior fleet over the summer months: buy six boats and get one free! Yes, that’s right folks, a terrific little Optimist dinghy for nix. And the bargains don’t stop there: if you want to get your son or daughter into sailing, a single Optimist will cost you just $3500 on a trolley with covers, sails are priced between $300 and $625, meaning that your kid will sail away from just $3800. Or $3300 for Clubs taking advantage of the ‘six for five’ deal… or for parents with six kids, God help you.

It’s never been a better time to get your kid into an Optimist with some great competitions and training opportunities scheduled for early 2010. IODA, the International Optimist Dinghy Association body, has recognised the great work done by the Australian class association by deciding to hold the 2010 Oceanis Championship in conjunction with the National Titles at Adelaide Sailing Club: January 6th-10th.

The Oceanis Championship and the Nationals are expected to draw quality teams from within and outside the region, giving experienced sailors a chance to shine and allowing beginners to watch and learn. Over fifty kids are travelling from around the globe to compete in the event with entries already received from New Zealand (bah! Humbug! Too damned fast), Singapore, Hong Kong, Denmark, United States, Myanmar, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Germany and United Arab Emirates.

For the kids that are new to sailing, IODA will hold a green fleet regatta on the 2nd and 3rd of January at Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club. And at the other end of the spectrum, a High Performance clinic with some of the world’s leading coaches will be conducted from the same club from January 2nd-5th (incorporating the Gulf of St Vincent Classic on January 4th and 5th.)

OziOpti, the driving force behind the success of the Optimist dinghy in the Australian junior sailing scene, will be on hand with their trusty van at all regattas to offer spare parts and support. They’re happy to chat to anyone thinking of taking advantage of the ‘six for five’ deal, or considering an Optimist as their kid’s first boat.

And there are a thousand reasons to choose an Optimist dinghy as a Christmas present: the potential for international competition, a hugely enthusiastic group of Optimist sailing families, an energetic class association, economy, availability of spare parts, child friendly design… but probably the best endorsement comes from the great Ben Ainslie, whose gold medallion didn’t come with a Staying Alive era white polyester suit:

‘I woke up one Christmas morning to find an Optimist dinghy beside my bed. I guess I have been sailing mad every since.’

http://www.oziopti.com.au

E-mail: Steven Bond stevenbond@oziopti.com.au
Office & Chandlery: The Boatshed 3 Aquatic Drive, ALBERT PARK. Victoria. 3206
Telephone: +61 3 9699 3444
Facsimile: +61 3 9525 5329
Mobile: +61 424 225 774