Optimistic outlook

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 38

Optimistic outlook

One hundred young yachtsmen from throughout new Zealand will have the opportunity to receive expert tuition when an Optimist dinghy class coaching and camping week is held at Quail Island next month.

Supported by Mount Cook Airlines, the camp will be in two divisions of 50 children each. The first, from January 22 to 24, is designed for newcomers to the sport, and the other, between January 24 and 26. is for more experienced competitors. Not only the youthful helmsmen will benefit. The camp will also be attended by Mr Harold Bennett, the national yachting federation’s youth coach, and coaches from many yacht clubs, which should lead to a valuable pooling of ideas on Optimist training and techniques. A trial camp was held for 50 Canterbury Optimist

skippers early this year and was such a success that it was decided to expand the format. In future it may be possible to have a New Zealand championship series to enable the yachtsmen to put theory into practice. The Optimist class has developed remarkably quickly in New Zealand. In just three years 1300 boats have been registered, a growth that is certain to be reflected in the development of yachting in this country.

Mr Paul Pritchett, a spokesman for the (Organising committee, said the camp would not have been possible without the assistance of Mount Cook Airlines, which, unlike many sponsors, was seeking to help youth rather than just have its name given ter a winning team.