Principles and Aims
The primary aim of the Foundation is to introduce children to the joys of sailing and to help each participant grow in character and personal confidence.
The Foundation's training programs incorporate the coaching of sailing skills, as well as providing opportunities for non-competitive fun events on the water and social events off the water, for both the sailors and their families.
The Foundation recognises that while some participants may go on to achieve success at national and international level this will not be used as a measure of the success for the program. The main measure will be the retention of young sailors to the sport who have had little or no previous contact with sailing.
The Foundation's courses are operated from Manly Sailing Club (MSC) on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. The previous MSC Learn to Sail (LTS) program has been absorbed into the current Foundation program which offers beginner sailing through Learn to Sail Level's One, Two and Three. Our unique O'pen Skiff syllabus has been developed through the guidance of Yachting New Zealand's (YNZ) Dinghy Learn to Sail program.
Learn to sail 1, 2 & 3 use the O’pen Skiff class yacht. Certificates of attainment will be presented to course attendees who develop the skills taught in these courses.
Courses will be run by accredited YNZ coaches and other experienced yachtsmen and women at Manly Beach, Whangaparaoa.
The Foundation's training programs incorporate the coaching of sailing skills, as well as providing opportunities for non-competitive fun events on the water and social events off the water, for both the sailors and their families.
The Foundation recognises that while some participants may go on to achieve success at national and international level this will not be used as a measure of the success for the program. The main measure will be the retention of young sailors to the sport who have had little or no previous contact with sailing.
The Foundation's courses are operated from Manly Sailing Club (MSC) on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. The previous MSC Learn to Sail (LTS) program has been absorbed into the current Foundation program which offers beginner sailing through Learn to Sail Level's One, Two and Three. Our unique O'pen Skiff syllabus has been developed through the guidance of Yachting New Zealand's (YNZ) Dinghy Learn to Sail program.
Learn to sail 1, 2 & 3 use the O’pen Skiff class yacht. Certificates of attainment will be presented to course attendees who develop the skills taught in these courses.
Courses will be run by accredited YNZ coaches and other experienced yachtsmen and women at Manly Beach, Whangaparaoa.
Administration
The Foundation was initiated by Sir Russell Coutts who has enlisted the help of some key people to ensure continuity of the programs.
Russell Coutts needs little introduction as his pedigree is well known worldwide for his achievements with a World Youth title an Olympic Gold Medal and Americas Cup Winner. He has a strong desire to ensure New Zealand’s young sailors have a chance to discover sailing and improve their water skills, developing confidence as well as learning other key life skills such as the value of preparation and teamwork. He has assumed a leading role in the foundations activities.
Barry Thom is a highly respected businessman who in his own right is an extremely accomplished yachtsman in both boardsailing and dinghy racing. He also shares Russell’s vision in bringing young sailors forward.
Fiona Rist is a super-organised person on whom the Foundation relies to keep law and order while looking after the Foundation’s interests. Fiona has three children currently sailing in the Foundation.
Harold Bennett has coached junior, youth and Olympic sailors as well as spending 18 years officiating Americas Cup races over 5 Americas Cups. He shares the very same vision as Russell with junior sailing and has been the key link to the Manly Sailing Club.
Coaching
The Foundation has enlisted the services of very good coaches who either hold or are working towards accredited Yachting New Zealand Coach Qualifications.
Where and when the opportunity arises, well known experienced yachtsmen and women will be invited to join some coaching clinics to bring an outside incentive to the youngsters.
New Zealand O’pen Skiff Class Association
The Class Association exists to provide alignment across the various regional fleets of O’pen Skiff yachts (previously known as the O'pen Bic) sailed throughout New Zealand with fleets developing in Dunedin, Queenstown, Nelson, Wanganui and Manly.
A core value of the Class Association is retaining the fun element within sailing and encouraging sailing excellence.
The Class Association shares the vision of the Foundation as a way forward for young sailors wanting to continue with progression within the sport.
The O’pen Skiff class worldwide is gaining strength and it offers many opportunities to take youngsters through to senior sailing. There are regattas held throughout New Zealand that attract sailors from Australia and the Pacific Islands and each year there is a World Championship held somewhere in the world for those very keen sailors.
A core value of the Class Association is retaining the fun element within sailing and encouraging sailing excellence.
The Class Association shares the vision of the Foundation as a way forward for young sailors wanting to continue with progression within the sport.
The O’pen Skiff class worldwide is gaining strength and it offers many opportunities to take youngsters through to senior sailing. There are regattas held throughout New Zealand that attract sailors from Australia and the Pacific Islands and each year there is a World Championship held somewhere in the world for those very keen sailors.
