Students experience yachting at Tarakohe
Have a Go sailors get last-minute advice from Sailing New Zealand instructor Candice Clough. Photo: Neil Wilson.
More young people have the chance to become active sailors as a result of the co-operation between the Pohara Boat Club, Yachting New Zealand and Golden Bay High School.
The “Sailing: Have a Go” programme visited the Bay last week and about 50 students in years 7 and 8 experienced sailing first-hand. The Yachting New Zealand programme, which is supported by the Lion Foundation, also visited the Bay last October.
The programme uses Optimist (one-person) and Topper Taz (one- or two-person) boats and provides a whole-day experience facilitated by a professional coach, a club support person and teacher and parent help.
Pohara Boat Club spokesperson Darren Wintour said that the programme had now exposed a large number of students to the sailing experience in a fun way.
“There’s an important tie-up between the Have a Go day and the learn-to-sail programmes at the club. We’ll probably find at least half a dozen really good sailors out of this experience. It’s important to give as many kids as possible the chance to find out if this is their thing.”
Neil Wilson
