21/22 Learn to Race has finished - Final thoughts, and what's next?

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21/22 Learn to Race has finished - Final thoughts, and what's next?

Final thoughts

A couple of weekends ago Learn to Race concluded for this summer season. I would like to congratulate all our LTR sailors for their continued participation, and in the spirit of the course I hope you all have been reflecting on your own personal journey, whether you were at camp, training or enjoying adventures with friends!

It has been my intention to help you all find your footing in the sport through this course, and I hope you are at least beginning to appreciate all there is out there to discover and enjoy in sailing.

I now bring you all back to the main point I made on zoom at the start of the course: that racing is about revelling in overcoming personal challenges (with a healthy mindset) and sharing this with a community (At FBYC, these are the sailors you race against). Mastering these elements brings a real buzz to the sport that I have enjoyed sharing with you all this season.

When it comes to mindset, I used terms such as persistence, resilience, bravery, critical reflection and self belief. All our LTR kids have had challenges this season where their ability to draw on these traits have been tested. Please take some time to remember when or where this may have been for you, and talk to your parents about what you did, and how it made you feel, good or bad. I hope most of you will be proud of the way you have applied these traits to your sailing - I certainly am proud of what I’ve seen achieved by all of you this season.

When it comes to community, I mentioned that sharing the experience, play and community itself is equally what racing is about. The LTR camp, the fun had at Nationals, and the Clarks Beach adventure sail come to mind for me. Was there a time when you were glad to share an experience with your fellow sailors, either on the racetrack or just messing about? I hope both parents and kids have all experienced and learned the value of sharing your sailing experience with others this season.

In LTR this season you have all been in this process of experiencing, reflecting and learning. To be a dinghy sailor for life, you need only master this process and value sharing in it with your community. A desire to improve your technique, learn the intricacies of the sport, and make better decisions soon follows, and I am already seeing this in our kids. Keep going, and I am eager to see what next season holds…

I appreciate all the support I have received this season and thank all the families for supporting what I teach by buying boats, turning up and volunteering. You rock!




What’s Next?

WINTER SAILING

We continue to sail on days in our winter calendar.

Note the format during winter is more ‘casual’. Coaches may be available and there might be RIB cover, however it is up to members to step up and make it happen, and we will not be rostering. I will pop down for a sail with you every now and then.

So other than being wary of the conditions and not taking any risks in challenging conditions (although it you have RIB cover, go nuts!), I encourage you all to continue to practice at least once a month if you are joining us next summer.

I also encourage parents, in the spirit of FBYC, to maybe take some time to bake something for our sailors, or get MOSS qualified (info will appear in newsletter) and join us on the water in order to support the community.

The primary means for communication will be through our club WhatsApp which you can join here. We will also continue to send updates through our newsletter.

Boat upgrades

As all of you know, winter is a good time to consider if it is the right time to move into a new boat. Bodyweight is often the go-to metric to decide, however there are many other factors (such as boredom, whether you are lanky or vertically challenged, personal needs/goals, group size and friends) to consider that are equally as important. It’s best to just give me a call to discuss your options.

For those who are looking for a boat after talking through the options, I have set up a WhatsApp group where we will post good deals we find online, as well as allow members to advertise their gear. Feel free to advertise your boat if you are selling - Graduated KLTS families are joining the group too.

Next Summer

Just a heads up - We are expecting around 30 boats to be in LTR next season. In order to cope, and to be able to provide good coaching, we will likely have to split the group by class and operate over a few days, including after-school sessions.

If you are intending to do LTR next summer, please let me know. Once I know the shape of our groups I will then put work into organising a new format that covers all your needs as best as possible.

There are still plenty of opportunities for us to enjoy being a whole group, including camp, club racing, attending regattas, adventure sails and social events and so on. Without COVID in the way, we should also have 3 more months of sailing to enjoy with plenty of time to relax, learn and have fun.


HAPPY TO TALK ANYTIME

I am always helping people find a place in the Club where they can make the most of the opportunities we have on offer. The best thing is to just get in touch and have a yarn. 022 533 1906 on mob or whatsapp, or hamish318@gmail.com.


Thanks for your participation this year!

Hamish on behalf of the rest of the FBYC coaching team

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21/22 Kid's Learn to Sail has finished - Final thoughts, and what's next?

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21/22 Kid's Learn to Sail has finished - Final thoughts, and what's next?

Thanks to all our families and kids for joining us this season. It has been a challenging one due to Covid and the subsequent interruptions to all our lives, however team FBYC have been stoked to see most of our young sailors persist towards receiving their YNZ certificates!

While all summer we have been teaching the “nuts and bolts” of the sport, I hope the families involved have also noticed our holistic approach - Learning the value of persistence, independence and play is the foundation of a healthy life in the sport. Regardless of talent, these attributes really put a sailor in good stead and are central to what we teach at FBYC. So we hope you all might consider staying on with us into next summer where we can continue to support you (kids and parents!) on your sailing journey in this way.

A note from Andi:

All participants should be proud of what they achieved, every day on the harbour was different and we learnt heaps and I hope they enjoyed it. It's been an absolute joy being a part of their sailing journey and all the best for what they decide to do next.


Certificates

Those who have turned up frequently over the season will likely be eligible for a YNZ certificate. They need to demonstrate knowledge of all the things mentioned in the booklet you received at the start of the course. Some of you did not make the final weekend, who we know are ready to be ticked off. Please return to the club on one of our winter sailing days to collect - We will ask you to prove your knowledge first!


We’re enjoying our time at FBYC - What’s next?

Winter sailing

We continue to sail on days in our winter calendar. KLTS kids are invited to continue to use club boats until the start of our new intake around October.

Note the format during winter is more ‘casual’. Coaches may be available and there might be RIB cover, however it is up to members to step up and make it happen, and we will not be rostering.

So other than being wary of the conditions and not taking any risks in unknown conditions, I encourage you all to continue to practice at least once a month if you are joining us next summer.

I also encourage parents, in the spirit of FBYC, to maybe take some time to bake something for our sailors, or get MOSS qualified (info will appear in newsletter) and join us on the water in order to support the community.

The primary means for communication will be through our club WhatsApp which you can join here. We will also continue to send updates through our newsletter.



Next Summer

You are all equipped with the skills to go sailing every now and then in our club boats. At the next level we aim to fine-tune your skills, which requires frequent practice in your own boat. This is a lot of fun!


Finding a boat

Winter is the time where I am helping a lot of families find/upgrade into boats. You will need a boat to take part in club activity, as come next summer we will be using ours on the new KLTS intake.

What boat to get into is a conversation I’d rather have over the phone/in person. Here we will weigh up cost, kid’s preference, group viability, kid’s size etc.. Please get in touch if you want to talk about this if we haven’t already.

For those who are looking for a boat after talking through the options, I have set up a WhatsApp group where I will post good deals I find online, as well as allow members to advertise their gear.

Do know, we keep things as cheap as we can, and that boats hold value pretty well.


Racing courses

Yes - If you took part in KLTS you are ready to join in our courses that focus on racing. Don’t be scared about racing, it’s a playground within which you can have a lot of fun with your friends, and all our sailors this year have really enjoyed themselves no matter the skill level.

In ‘Learn to Race’ we go to big regattas as a team, have a camp, and do a whole lot of other fun stuff.

Please let me know if you are considering joining LTR next season as soon as you can, regardless of whether you know precisely which boat you will sail - This will help me with planning the course.

For our older sailors who might move into ‘senior’ classes (eg. Laser, 3.7 / 55-60kg sailor weight+), our club racing community and senior coaching sessions are another great avenue to take.


Adventure sailing

For those who more enjoy a casual sail, we also offer adventure sails throughout the summer including our new year’s camping trip to Clarks Beach as well as low-tide Mud Meanders. These still require skill to partake in, and I encourage you to consider joining club racing / LTR to build this skill further.


Happy to talk anytime

I am always helping people find a place in the Club where they can make the most of the opportunities we have on offer. The best thing is to just get in touch and have a yarn. 022 533 1906 on mob or whatsapp, or hamish318@gmail.com.

Thanks for your participation this year!

Hamish on behalf of the rest of the FBYC coaching team

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Wine Fundraiser March 2022

Wine Fundraising - closes 29 March 2022

Hi all

As most of you are aware the club incurred considerable sums to its lawyer's from the legal work regarding the lease over the reclamation area that the clubhouse, rigging deck and boat shed sit on. To assist in the repayment of the approx $70,000 remaining owed its time for a wine fundraiser.

For every 12 bottles of wine sold the club receives $40 (including GST) . You do not need to order wine by the half dozen or dozen and you can order by the bottle. Although the packing team do prefer more orders by the case :)

Here is the form to be completed and returned to Melanie (melanie@bennettadvisory.co.nz). Please ensure that you make payment into the bank account number on the form, it is the 05 suffix, as that will make life easier for the Treasurer.

There will be printed copies of the order form available in the clubhouse on sailing days for those that don’t have access to a printer (or those that keep forgetting to print). Due to the sale of alcohol legislation each person ordering must return this form signed either via email or on paper.

The offer closes 29 March 2022 when all orders must be placed by. Collection will be 6 or 7 April 2022 from the clubhouse (just in time for Easter and school holidays). You can share this far and wide to all your friends and family. A prize is available to the person that raises the most funds for the club.


Any queries, please email Melanie@bennettadvisory.co.nz or see Mel on a sailing day.


Any persons with an interest in running a fundraiser please see Allan, Glenn or Mel.


Regards

The FBYC Committee

Learn To Race Kicks Off in L3

Learn To Race Kicks Off in L3

Under the current L3 restrictions we are allowed to run coaching groups of up to 10, with no limit on household bubbles within this group.

We believe we can run some of our more experienced coaching groups under these conditions, and have therefore decided to allow our LTR programme to start on the 23rd October.

This is exciting news. A lot of other sport has be cancelled so now’s the time to get a boat and join LTR for the summer.


The rules

If we are beginning under the current L3 rules, there are still strict guidelines for all of us to follow: 


On land


  • LTR will be split into two distinct groups who must remain separate while rigging on land.

    • Each group will have a maximum of 9 sailors and must remain in their assigned area, with their assigned coach.

    • Always try to maintain a safe 2m distance with your own group.

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  • Parents are not considered part of the group and must not be present.

    • All key information will be shared in an introductory ZOOM meeting.


  • Masks must be worn on land.

    • Coaches will be wearing masks all the time, including on the water.


  • No one shall enter our club facilities at any time.

    • Sailing gear can be left on the small deck if you wish.

    • This includes the boat shed.

    • Public toilets are open, our ones are not.


  • You must scan in if over the age of 12.


On the water we will sail together. 


Enrolments

I have said in the past that people can tag along on the first session before enrolling. Unfortunately I cannot have anyone on our coach boats, nor offer club boats, and groups have to be strictly managed under L3. 

Therefore you must have your own boat, and you must be enrolled by the 18th in order to join in. 

It is not too late to get a boat and I am always here to help! 

You will receive your very own starter pack on the day.


Frequency

It seems unlikely that you might have many engagements on your calendar at present, so we are considering sailing both on Saturday and Sunday on calendar weekends. You can leave your boats with me to put in the clubhouse overnight. This way we can really get the practice up and make up for lost sailing days earlier in the year. 

Please respond with issues or comments - I would like to know whether this might work. 


Safety

Now is the time to replace any flat buoyancy bags or faulty gear in your boat. I will not allow you to go out if your boat is not safe. We want to try and minimise the risk of rescue situations forcing us to break distancing rules. 

Insurance of your gear is also a safe thing to do - I insure my boat with AMI and it’s pretty cheap and easy with them.


Introductory ZOOM meet up


I will be doing an introduction for parents and kids on ZOOM next week to get you all excited about the season to come, and answer any of your questions. Please enrol by the 18th to receive the ZOOM link.


Lastly I am really looking forward to seeing you all sailing again at FBYC soon. 

Thanks, 

Coach Hamish 

Why you should join French Bay Yacht Club


by Adam Bennett (pictured), 10 years old in Year 6 at Titirangi Primary School.

At the French Bay yacht club you get world class coaches and a family friendly environment. You can go from nine to twenty years old at French Bay, the sailing is amazing, a good sheltered bay for learning to sail and strong winds in the channel for fast racing. 

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 You can become members, meaning you can come to member only nights and eat wood fired pizzas. The benefits of being members means you are in the list for kids learn to sail (KLTS), and if you want to race in the French Bay regatta, you can. When you start at French Bay you get coached by the best in the yachting community, they help right through till you start racing.

Racing at French Bay you get taught by Hamish, he is part of the New Zealand Yachting team along with Megan, a woman who was in the junior America’s cup for New Zealand. This shows that French bay members can go right up to elite sailing levels and racing all over the country and around the world. When I first started, I learnt all the parts of the boat and how to sail it. Winter sailing really helps with your skills in the boat, different speeds and knowledge of sailing in a brilliant harbour. 

Sailing at French Bay is amazing. The atmosphere and adrenaline is hyper, you really have a great time in a yacht sailing whatever and wherever. You learn to sail and race as the French Bay yacht club has great access to the water. Sailing is a very good sport as it helps you with social awareness and your reactions can be as sharp as a click. Sailing helps you become aware of water situations and helps you to know what you need to stay alive in the water. If you haven’t started sailing I recommend joining a yacht club today.

 

Hosting the P-Class Auckland Champs

We only have two P-Class sailors in the class, but we want to be a club that gives back to the sport, and we took on the challenge to host the P-Class Auckland Champs with enthusiasm this weekend just gone!

Commodore Allan Geddes says that while Cameron Grey and Glen Schussler were far from the only volunteers that worked hard in the regatta lead up, they took a lead role and need to be commended along with around a dozen others including young volunteers from the club’s youth fleet. Twenty P-Class took part and the regatta was won by Joe Leith of MBSC. All enjoyed the best of west coast sailing in the tidal but very beautiful Manukau Harbour.  Parents enjoyed watching in the sun from the club’s outdoor deck and enjoyed good old fashioned club hospitality during racing. 

Well done to Juno and Rylan: the very best young sailors sail this class, and they did well against the fleet, despite being brand new to the class this season.

 

www.frenchbay.org.nz

Meet our head coach - Hamish Hall-Smith

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Hamish Hall-Smith has sailed at French Bay Yacht Club since he started learning in a wooden Opti in 2007.

“I have been in love with the sport ever since,” he says.

Hamish has won four national titles, and actively sails his foiling A class as well as crewing a 12ft skiff. He has worked in high performance boat building for a number of years and has returned to FBYC with a willingness to share the passion.
Here is a message from Hamish for all parents of youth sailors:

Most of you by now will have met me in the boat park sometime but I have yet to meet a number of you!

I am in the middle of assessing the skills of all our kids and groups in an effort to increase fun and learning. I have found meeting each sailor individually has really helped me understand what I can do to give you all the best coaching.

So if you haven’t met me yet and intend to sail this weekend, consider dropping me a line, introduce yourself and let me know what boat you’re in.

My email is Hamish318@gmail.com

My number/whatsapp is 022 533 1906

This will really help me manage our coaches and resources, as well as turn up the fun factor for all groups.
Once I get to know you, I hope to be able to give some insight and advice on what might be next for you at our wonderful club. If you have questions about boats or the sport in general I am happy to help anytime.
See you this weekend!