HYC Learn to Sail for 2011-2012

National Training Scheme

Yachting New Zealand

Hamilton Yacht Club Learn to Sail is based on the Yachting New Zealand National Sailing Scheme. We follow the YNZ syllabus, as contained in National Sailing Scheme Logbooks. 

What do Sailors Learn?

Level One (Start Sailing)

  • ·       Safety and Wind Awareness
  • ·       Parts of the boat and knots
  • ·       Capsize
  • ·       Sailing and Boat Handling
  • ·       Rigging
  • ·       Capsize Recovery and Getting out of Irons
  • ·       Upwind and Downwind
  • ·       Rules

Level Two (Basic Skills)

  • ·       Rigging Advanced
  • ·       Safety
  • ·       Weather and Tides
  • ·       The Five Essentials
  • ·       Launching and Retrieving
  • ·       Sailing
  • ·       Rules and Hiking
  •         Optional Extra: Rowing

The best age for learning to sail is around 9-10yrs,in Optimist sailing dinghies, but it varies with the maturity and water confidence of the child. The club has some boats, and www.trademe.co.nz is a good source of others.

Learn to Sail 2011

Wed 26th Oct 11

1600-1730

Registration and Muster
Wed 2nd  Nov 11

1600-1730

Session 1, Hamilton Lake

Fri 4th Nov 11

1900-2000

Capsize Session, Te Rapa Pools

Wed 9th Nov 11

1600-1730

Session 2, Hamilton Lake

Wed 16th Nov 11

1600-1730

Session 3, Hamilton Lake
Wed 23rd  Nov 11

1600-1730

Session 4, Hamilton Lake
Wed 30th Nov 11

1600-1730

Session 5, Hamilton Lake

Wed 7th Dec 11

1600-1730

Session 6, Hamilton Lake

Wed 14th Dec 11

1600-1730

Session 7, Hamilton Lake

When sailors have completed level one and are working towards level two, they can apply to come to Optisail, a live in 4 day Junior Training Camp held on Hamilton Lake every January.

Costs: $140 - see details below.

The course is free to club members. If you elect to join the club after the course, we will credit your course fee. Fees for non members are $20 per person per session ($140) and $15 for additional siblings. The cost of entry to Waterworld is additional for the Capsize Session.

If you don't own a boat, the club does have some for hire at a modest rate.

OPTISAIL 2012

A live in camp over four days at Hamilton Yacht Club

Thursday 17th Jan until Sunday 20th  Jan 2012 .

Rob Ebert, 838 9375, ebertr@xtra.co.nz

 Algal Blooms: Lake Rotoroa is a peat lake that experiences periodic algal blooms as a consequence of increased water nutrients.  Toxins produced by the algae as they break down can affect human health, principally skin irritation on contact and stomach upset if infected water is ingested. HYC has published a risk management plan to deal with any contingencies.