YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION NEWS

Members Sprint Series winning team, SMB

The Elliotts had their first good racing shake down with the Members Sprint Series held in November. Tough and challenging conditions provided plenty of thrills as the fleet of six battled to get three races out of six completed before the wind limits ended the day early. Geoff Boettcher and his Secret Mens Business crew made it three wins from three races taking home the silverware ahead of Curtis Mitchell and company representing Another Hooligan. The podium was rounded off by a Youth Sailing Foundation Instructor, Trevor Dinham, and his crew representing a mix of sailors and boats from the Club. With the positive feedback and the postevent interest the Members Series could become a highlight of future racing seasons and we look forward to seeing a few more out there for the next event! Following the Members Series the fleet was given a once over to ensure any issues and teething problems were rectified. The last two of the boats were also branded up with Footers and Foodland rounding out the fleet and they all look great sitting out the front of the Club. During the busy lead up to Christmas the YSF Summer Squad continued their Friday afternoon training sessions. Along with helping out with events such as the South Australian Sailing League, the Squad have been working hard developing their skills and techniques on the Elliotts. Focus has been on the basics and fundamentals of boat handling on a new platform and training will start to introduce more advanced concepts as numbers grow. With the rush to train and prepare for the numerous national championships over the Christmas break subsiding, the YSF Squads look forward to gaining further numbers and momentum as we look towards the main winter training blocks. Other key sailing avenues the YSF continues to facilitate include providing opportunities to current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel through our Veterans and Defence Sailing programs. Two ‘Veterans Come and Try Days’ have been successful as this part of the YSF grows. This continues the existing relationship the Marine Academy has with Northrup Grumman, Invictus Pathways Program and other key community programs delivering ‘Setting a New Course’. With the turbulence of COVID still keeping people on their toes, bookings for the Australian Sailing Keelboat Learn to Sail program have been slowly growing. For ages from 16 years old (12 with a participating guardian) and up, the program starts with crewing and finishing with racing and offers a perfect way to learn sailing without the worry of capsizing or swimming. To help this program develop, numerous ‘Discover Sailing’ sessions have been added to the calendar and these have converted many participants joining Marine Academy courses and YSF squads along with several new members and possibly new boats into the Club. As the second half of the season rolls on the YSF looks forwards to some exciting opportunities and events including the Fred Neill Match Racing Regatta planned for next season among others. See you on the water.

Dale Geddes YSF Head Coach