WYC Youth Pathways

We could not be more proud of our new and existing youth pathways at WYC.  Choose as little or as much as you please!  Don’t feel under pressure! Equally, if you want to be the next Peter Burling or Jo Aleh we will give you every opportunity we are able to!

Sunday Teams Sailing. Meet @ 1pm

When you are in a “LTS3” group, the chances are you are ready to start to explore some other opportunities. Initially picking just nice weather / light to moderate wind days come along on Sundays and try Teams Sailing in 420s.  It’s sociable and fun and the chances are you will be crew, not skipper, for quite a while. We provide boats. You can just turn up individually. This is where you will experience masses of races in two person boats and meet new friends over a wide age range.

MAC Teams Sailing – Wednesdays after school

Volunteer coaches Lily and Boulton and those that came before have developed this team over many years. “MAC” is for “Mt Aspiring College” as this group is essentially training for Teams Sailing at regional and national events where teams must enter as a high-school team. At the time of writing this, the team had reached 7th in the country, with only top Auckland Teams still to beat.

To reach this standard of sailing, we now offer “pre-mac” training …. a group which runs similultaneously the “MAC” and bridges skill gap between the Tuesdays “LTS2-3” group and MAC

Thursday night race 6pm is a WYC institution.  It is not just for adults!  Don’t get confuded by all the big keelboats, there is also a “centreboard division” with its very own start and its very own course. This is a fantastic weekly race which lasts for about an hour. It features all the types of boats you have experienced so far. Most contestants are youth sailors. Initially pick good weather days and find your own limit. If you are happy at “LTS 3” level or above then you’re most likely ready. Ask your coach to explain how the race works. Race fees and club boat (free) hire are included in your LTS 3 fees. However, to race we require that you join WYC as either a family or associate member of the club for insurance purposes.

Thursday Advanced Lessons

For those advancing beyond LTS 1,2 and 3 we often run adhoc advanced coaching 330-530 for those who already pay for other lessons.

Random Sessions  Volunteer coaches run many random sessions on an ad-hoc opportunistic basis. Especially when an event is approaching and in the summer holidays and often on Sunday mornings.  If you are interested in such opportunities please contact [email protected] and we can put you on the “group chat socials.” Volunteer Assistant coaching is another great way to get sailing heaps when you are a LTS 3 graduate.

Assistant Coaching Nothing is possible at WYC without volunteers. Right from the get-go LTS students will see just how passionate our youth volunteers are about sailing….. and just how much they help skill-up the new generation.  After LTS 3, & usually 13yrs+, we welcome & encourage our youth sailors to become “Assistant Coaches” on one or more evenings per week or during the school holiday programs.  Our coaches become qualified YNZ Assistant coaches by doing an official YNZ course from 14yrs+, and, with continued experience they can even ascend to “head coach” level after 4 years – a highly employable travel qualification for young adults. One or two older and experienced youth coaches, usually aged 17+ and with safety boating skills, become paid coaches at times when required for sensible coach / student ratios, working under the direction of the Head Coach.