NZ Sail.com Laser support program offers integrity and service

by Tracey Johnstone on 31 Dec 2009 Since March this year NZSail.com has been at the forefront online in New Zealand supplying high quality sales and support for Laser class boats and equipment.

NZSail.com offers online purchasing of an extensive range of sailing products which are delivered freight- free within New Zealand. Purchased by Steve Roberts and Linda Tushingham in 2008, the SailNZ.com team have been taking the business from strength to strength. “We started selling sailing gear and attending the regattas, going to 12 or 13 regattas a year in the summer months. Then we took on the agency for Winner Optimists in Denmark. That took the business to a new level. Then we attained the agency for Melgus Performance Sailboats. In March this year we required the agency for Laser,” Roberts said.

The single-handed one-design Laser racing dinghy enjoys wide international youth and adult popularity with some 200,000 boats in 140 countries. In New Zealand Laser sailing is a passion across all age groups. Roberts reports there has recently been a surge in the Laser 4.7, which NZSail.com has been pushing hard. “In recent years it’s only been six or seven boats at the nationals. This year we’ll be well into the 40s. That was our target to be at 40. Next year we can push on through to 60 to 100 boats on the water. In 2007 they had 107 competing at the Worlds.

“We’ve got some good fleets starting to build. We had our tenth boat sent last week to Nelson and that’s only happened since March. By the end of the week we should have 13 Laser 4.7s sailing. We sold two more last week into Murray’s Bay which has traditionally been a Pea, Starling and Optimist club. We’ve got interest from another couple as well. There’s some good nucleuses starting to form around the country. Of the boats we’ve sold, half are new and half are second hand.”

The key to this class, as opposed to the Starling class, is it is international, giving participants the chance to compete in the class right from club level to world championship competition.

One sailor who no doubt wants to aspire to international competition is 'Win a Laser' competition winner, Hamilton’s 16-year-old Holly Curtis. Roberts has taken her under his wing, helping her to make the move to the Laser Radial. In a class that according to the ILCA rewards athleticism, subtle steering and trimming techniques, Roberts said Curtis has the physical make-up to enjoy sailing the Laser Radial. “We put her out in the water when we delivered the boat and she looked as though she was handling it well. We’ll get her out on the race track and get her among the other sailors. We’ll get her some coaching as well.”

Laser sailors, such as Curtis, are well supported in their pathway to achieving success in the class with the team from NZSail.com visiting Auckland once a week and attending up to 18 regattas this summer season. With their working van full of parts and gear, the team will transverse New Zealand serving the sailing throughout the event and maybe even getting some sailing in themselves.

The differentiating factor with SailNZ.com’s service is their focus on integrity and service. “Laser sailors want a fair price so we offer freight-free delivery across the country. We’ll never lose a customer on bad service or price because there’s plenty to spend your money on without having to waste it.”

For more information
SailNZ.com
2 Millbrook Drive, Bethlehem, Bay of Plenty 3110 New Zealand
Phone: +64 (0)7 579 2651
Fax: +64 (0)7 579 2651
Mobile: 027 233 0097 (Steve) or 027 5507 546 (Linda)
E-mail: info@nzsail.com
Web: http://www.nzsail.com