Opti Sail Camp
This is an annual 2 day event held at the club rooms on Ngamotu Beach.It is open to any optimist sailor.
It is very popular with our sailors as they have the opportunity to sleep over in the Yacht club for 1 night. A variety of abilities of sailors attend this camp ranging from those fresh out of learn to sail to kids about to go into Starling and have been in an opti for several years.
We find it is a great chance for new members to get to know others in their class and cement strong friendships which follow them all throgh their sailing life.Parents are asked to help out where possible and that to allows them to get to know other parents and officials of the club.
The "night sail" is the highlight of the camp. One night on dusk all the boats are rigged up and ready to go. Glow sticks are tied to their sprits and all rescue boats are launched. When almost dark they set sail across the harbour. The lights from the port illuminate the sails and it is the most beautiful sight. The kids find it a huge adventure and many would never get the chance to sail in the dark again. Novelty races such as a lolly scramble on the water with balloons are part of the routine each year. This teaches the sailors to be confident in knowing the boat and its ability.Safety is paramount so life jackets must be worn and we have many rescue craft on the water with the sailors. A Yachting NZ sailing coach and instructors run the camp a long with help from Taranaki Youth members and parents.