Watery fun beckons kids to Kohimarama

A programme that will run from January 23 to beyond Anniversary Weekend is all about getting kids into water sports.

It's part of the Auckland Harbour Festival Youth Passport initiative, which gives boys and girls aged from 10 to 15 the opportunity to experience a range of water sports.

Included are swimming, windsurfing, surfing, wakeboarding, diving, surf lifesaving, beach volleyball, kayaking, wharf fishing and sailing.

Yachting New Zealand has created a programme to ensure those who are tempted into small boats by the scheme will be encouraged to carry on sailing.

From a purpose-built trailer based at Kohimarama Beach during the week beginning January 23, youngsters will be able to experience sailing single-handed Optimist and two-handed Cadet dinghies. The 6m enclosed trailer holds six Optimists, three Cadets and a coach boat.

Optimists and Cadets are perfect for beginners. And the unit will bring sailing to schools in Auckland and Northland from January.

"Interest so far has been fantastic," says YNZ yachting services co-ordinator Sabra Davies, "and with bookings flooding in for term one it seems certain to extend into the second term.

"Our aim is to show these children how much fun they can have in a boat, then encourage them to join a yacht club."

Three 90-minute sessions will be run on each day of the Youth Passport scheme, at 9am, midday and 3pm. Registration is available online at www.youthpassport.co.nz.

Those taking part will first meet their YNZ qualified instructor, who will demonstrate everything the youngsters need to know to get started. The instructor will also be afloat in a chase for constant supervision.

By trying Sailing ... Have a Go!, Youth Passport holders earn one stamp. Those who earn three stamps by trying two of the other watery activities go into a prize draw.

Easily identified festival hosts will be on hand at each venue to ensure everything goes smoothly.

YNZ chief executive Des Brennan sees the Auckland Festival as an ideal launch pad for the programme as it is prepared for the schools circuit.

"We provide the boats and instructor Rob Hielkema," he says. "Schools only have to deliver the children at the host sailing club. Up to 12 children can take part at a time.

"Yachting New Zealand recognises the need to provide flexible programmes to schools and clubs and we have developed a choice of options that range from half-a-day to a five-day learn-to-sail school camp."

The launch of the programme in Auckland and Northland is the start of a larger initiative. Two identical trailer units will be built next year to begin delivering Sailing ... Have a Go! nationwide.

Brennan says the scheme fits in well with the overall strategy of Yachting New Zealand.

"Hand-in-hand with Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), we are committed to programmes which support the proud nation and active nation initiatives that encourage young people to engage in sport.

"We believe the Sailing ... Have a Go! scheme will enable youngsters who would not otherwise have the opportunity to get into a boat to do so.

"This could be because of their school's location, which could be away from the water, or for a host of other reasons.

"We want to develop a lasting introduction to a sport that is both healthy and fun.

"The programme has already attracted international interest even though it does not launch until next year."