Yachting New South Wales teams up with New South Wales Maritime

As the state body for the sport of sailing, Yachting New South Wales has a regular program of courses designed to enhance the skills level and encourage participation of sailors at all levels of the sport. One of the key goals of the organisation is to assist sailing clubs across the state in running basic learn to sail programs. As part of this goal, a Dinghy Instructor and Powerboat Handling Course was recently run across five days out of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
 
The course is designed to ensure a consistency of skill amongst instructors, and is structured around a theory component and a practical component which encourages knowledge sharing. Participants are instructed in the safe and responsible use of powerboats and in the ability to assist other marine users as required. To further encourage boating safety, especially as an example to younger sailors, participants are required to wear lifejackets at all times.
 
Yachting NSW would particularly like to thank NSW Maritime for partnering with them to promote safety by donating the lifejackets used by course participants. Gill Australia also supported the course by supplying the Yachting NSW instructor uniform.
 
‘NSW Maritime is proud to be a partner in safety with Yachting NSW. All efforts to raise awareness of the value of lifejackets in boating safety are to be applauded and Yachting NSW is doing an excellent job in encouraging safe and responsible boating for our up-coming generations.’ Neil Patchett, NSW Maritime.
 
‘NSW Maritime are to be congratulated on assisting organisations such as Yachting NSW create culture changes towards safety on the water. Without their support Yachting NSW would not be in a position to provide lifejackets to the teenagers and young adults we will train in the future.’ Andrew Cribb, Yachting NSW Development Manager
 
Twenty five young sailors participated in the recent course representing thirteen clubs – Cronulla Sailing Club, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Drummoyne Sailing Club, Vaucluse 12’Skiff Sailing Club, Manly 16’Skiff Sailing Club, Belmont 16’Skiff Sailing Club, Hunters Hill Sailing Club, Woollahra Sailing Club, Balmain Sailing Club, Northbridge Sailing Club, Port Hacking Open Sailing Club, and Middle Harbour Yacht Club.
 
All the participants are also given the opportunity of attending the Winter Training Program which provides mentored training for young adults as well as giving sailing clubs the ability to pursue greater interaction with other clubs in their region.
 
The next course will be held at Belmont 16’Skiff Sailing Club on 13th – 17th July and details can be found at www.nsw.yachting.org.au