The RNZYS has a strong commitment to training and in 1987 launched its Youth Training Programme. As a result it has seen a generation of yachting dominated by Kiwi Sailors. In 2015 the RNZYS launched its first adult beginner level 1 programme to establish a training ground for members and to introduce people to the sport of sailing at any age.
SONAR
Tiller Steering – Simple, easy to use and common across most boats
Closed cockpit – easy to move about, comfortable seating, safe for beginners
Traditional keelboat shape – fixed fin keel, extremely hard to capsize
Cabin – enclosed ‘downstairs’ area
Engine – 4hp in board electric engine
No winch – safer for beginners
Small Jib – smaller loads on ropes and less strain on crew
Farr MRX
Tiller Steering – Simple, easy to use and common across most boats
Open cockpit – lots of space, easy to move about, comfortable
Bigger boat – more stable platform, especially for older or less nimble students.
Cabin – enclosed ‘downstairs’ area, including an onboard marine toilet
Engine – 20hp in board diesel engine
Sail plan – choice of different sized headsails, as well as reefing points on the mainsail.
Elliott 7’s
Tiller Steering – Simple, easy to use and common across most boats
Open cockpit – lots of space, easy to move about, comfortable
No Backstays – The rig is more secure than other set-ups
Small Jib – smaller loads on ropes and less strain on crew
Carbon Mast and Boom – Light and easy to use
Small Winches – Low risk of injury
Balanced Sail Plan – Easy to sail
Relatively Fast! – Fun and exciting sailing
Emily Chambers
I am from the Isle of Wight on the south coast of the UK, I started sailing at the age of 9 where I crewed for my dad on Yarmouth river with the very important job of holding the jib sheet and being race crew for the weekend racing, I also did holiday programmes and after school sailing club, where I took part in a 24 hour sail fundraising for the local, council run sailing centre. At the age of 13 I did my first Competent crew, multi night trip from Amsterdam to the Hamble over 10 days.
I became a dinghy instructor in 2008 and started working abroad teaching sailing over the summers in the UK, mainly at my local, home club in Yarmouth, and Europe to begin with and then further afield: Greece, Antigua, Menorca, Dubai, Canada (summer camp), Australia, UK. I have focused on teaching dinghy sailing but my roles at centres have also touched on windsurfing taster sessions, wakeboarding and waterskiing and paddleboarding. In 2016 I became a powerboat instructor and was a bit nervous about using it at first, but the 5 year expiry date kicked me into gear! In 2018 I spent a year doing deliveries in and around Europe to build up miles towards my Offshore Yachtmaster, which included 6 crossing of the Bay of Biscay, some end of summer season storms in the Med, a calm Irish Sea trip and the relaunch of Maiden from the Hamble, then spent an extended summer in 2019 in the sunny Devon, UK teaching dinghy sailing, powerboating and paddle boarding before packing my bag and heading over here to Auckland.
Mobile: +64 21 593 482
Email: echambers@rnzys.org.nz