Middle Harbour Yacht Club is gearing up for another busy season of youth sailing with a number of programs put in place.
Discover Sailing Centre
The Club is delighted to welcome back Andrew Phillips who is leading the MHYC Discover Sailing Centre and Youth Programs.
Australian Sailing accredited Tackers (for ages 7-12) and Discover Sailing Dinghy courses (for teenagers) will operate over eight Saturday’s or Sundays during each of the school terms. Adventure Squad will operate on Saturdays, offering a more flexible approach to skill development and towards Dinghy Instructor training.
A series of 4 day School Holiday programs will also run during the spring, summer, autumn and Winter breaks. This is a great opportunity for young sailors to build their skills and confidence with a more intensive training program.
MHYC’s Discover Sailing Centre is a registered provider for Active Kids vouchers.
Developing Young Sailors
Quality coaching is available for young sailors who have completed learn to sail courses, aiming to build their confidence, technique and understanding of racing. The pathway from Tackers is to Optimist Green and Silver Fleets, while those who have progressed through the Discover Sailing Dinghy levels move on to Race Squad.
In addition to regular sessions at MHYC, coach support is also provided at selected regattas and championships. The MHYC Coaching Programs can lead on to Class Association and State Squad Coaching Programs and competition in State, National and International regattas.
Parent & Sailor Information Nights will be held later in August in the Harborview Room at MHYC at 6.30pm. On Wednesday 22nd August, young sailors in a Tackers 2 or 3 Course will be able to find out everything about Green Fleet. On Wednesday 29th August, the focus moves to MHYC’s Race Squads and the Centreboard Racing Program.
Programs for Schools
MHYC offers sailing programs for both Primary and Secondary schools.
Primary School Programs use the Tackers syllabus which is designed for children aged 7 to 12 years, run by Australian Sailing qualified instructors and is a non-competitive sailing program based on fun participation. MHYC’s Discover Sailing Centre is a registered provider for Sporting Schools Tackers programs.
Secondary School Programs use the Discover Sailing Dinghy syllabus to provide a safe introduction to dinghy sailing with experienced instructors. MHYC’s School Team Sailing programs enable school teams to participate in representative sport.
There are currently spaces available for school programs which can be run during or after school hours.
Lively Club Racing
MHYC’s Centreboard Racing program operates on the protected waters of Middle Harbour between the club and Balmoral.
The season kicks off with the Commodore's Front-Up Cup on Saturday September 1 with a series of three races before returning to the club to celebrate the Season Opening with the keelboat sailors. This year’s Opening Day theme is Superheroes, so we are looking forward to seeing some colourful characters on the race track.
The Centreboard Short Course Sprint Series follows on Sunday, 23rd September – a mini-regatta with 5 quick races to prepare sailors for the coming season of club championship races and events.
MHYC’s Centreboard Club Championship comprises 24 races held over 8 race days, starting on October 14 and concluding on April 7. The Centreboard Winter Series then commences on Sunday, 19 May with 18 races over 6 race days and winding up on August 11.
The 2018-2019 Centreboard Handbook is now available and includes the Notice of Race, Schedule of Races and Sailing Instructions.
Regattas
MHYC is one of the partner clubs in the Sail Sydney International Regatta, being held from December 4-9, 2018. This is one of the largest dinghy regattas on the sailing calendar and includes Olympic and Invited Classes. MHYC will be supporting race management for the junior and youth classes once again.
On February 16 & 17 next year, MHYC will host the second round of the NSW Championships for the exciting 29er and Nacra 15 classes. For those not competing, it will be a great opportunity to see some great racing.
A Social Place
MHYC offers a relaxed social atmosphere for sailors and non-sailors of all ages. There are sausage sizzles after dinghy racing and the SandBar Café and Harbour View balcony are great places to take in the activity on the beach while enjoying a coffee or a wine. Kids Discos are held every month on Friday evenings from 6-8pm, fully supervised and with entertainment by Bop Till You Drop.
The Best Location
Middle Harbour Yacht Club enjoys a wonderful location at The Spit, Mosman, has a sandy beach nestled within its marina and is close to the protected waters of Lower Middle Harbour without the busy commercial boating traffic of the main part of the Harbour.
For further information, contact: Discover Sailing Coordinator Andrew Phillips on 8969 3116 discoversailing@mhyc.com.au; Sailing Administrator Catherine Rofe on 8969 3103 sailing@mhyc.com.au or visit www.mhyc.com.au
