Boost for teen sailors
HUON Yacht Club, one of the most southern sailing clubs in Australia, has announced a commendable initiative to encourage teenage sailing in the Huon Valley — buying a J24 class yacht to teach teens to sail and compete in the club’s Thursday twilight and weekend races on the Huon River.
Several club members sailed the 24-footer, Glenshiel IX, from Hobart to Port Huon this week to join the club’s fleet as members prepare for next month’s Cock of the Huon Race, part of the popular Pipe Opener Series of weekend races from Hobart down the Derwent, D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Huon River.
Huon Yacht Club and its premier annual event, the coveted Cock of the Huon race, maintains the traditions of yacht racing on the Huon River that date back to the 1850s, with the club still based at Shipwrights Point, the site of many famous sailing and rowing regattas.
“We will teach the teenagers practical boat handling and sailing skills, help them to work together as a cohesive crew, and be responsible for decision-making on the boat,” Huon Yacht Club spokesman Mike Bartlett said this week.
“The teenagers will be responsible for maintaining the boat, encouraging other young people to join the program, and fund raise to contribute towards maintenance costs.
“The J24 requires four crew and the additional teenagers will rotate between the J24 and other yachts in the fleet so that they can learn valuable skills from experienced sailors on various types of boats.”
The leader of the first crew chosen to race the J24 was 16year-old Bailey Wright.
Tasmanian businesses and organisations to have pledged support for Huon Yacht Club’s teenage sailing program include the Kermandie Marina, Port Huon; Derwent Sailing Squadron, Hobart; Quantum Sails, Hobart; Franklin Marine, Franklin; Geeveston Community Op Shop, Geeveston; L & S Doyle, Geeveston; the Stihl Shop, Huonville; Deneefe Signs, Hobart and Dean Marks Boat Builders, Port Huon.
The program will be launched at the club’s opening day on Saturday October 5 at Shipwrights Point, Port Huon.