Sandringham Yacht Club is launching the second season of our SYC J70 Sailing Program in October 2024, available to young member at SYC in the form of social, development, youth squad and advanced squad programs. These programs are intended to help SYC achieve three clear objectives:
- To attract and retain young members at the club
- To develop a group of high quality sailors who can compete nationally and internationally in keelboats
- To train young sailors to provide a resource of crew to boat owners
The first edition of our J70 program was a great success and we can’t wait to build on this for the upcoming season. There are a few changes to our programs including the addition of a new ‘Youth Squad’ for members between 14 to 18 years which will replicate a similar model to that of our Advanced Squad program last season.
SYC is now inviting its young members to register or apply for one or more of the following programs.
Social program
The Social Program will be offered on weeknights (16+ years) as part of the Thursday Twilight keelboat series and during school holidays for those under 18 years and will primarily be focused on providing social and fun sailing opportunities. This is not intended as a coaching program, rather a relaxed environment where sailors can mix with each other, enjoy fun activities, sail boats, meet like minded people and have a great time at SYC.
For our 16-35 year old members, we’ll be changing our social sailing night to coincide with the Thursday Twilight keelboat series. Members will be able to form a group or join a group of fellow members to enjoy the social racing that is provided on Thursdays.
For our under 18 year old members, we’ll be looking to make a number of opportunities available throughout the school holiday periods to organise some social sailing. The J70s will also be used on occasion for our OTB Friday Twilights.
In the interest of attracting new members to SYC and the SYC J70 Sailing Program, members may bring friends from outside of SYC under the Sail Pass scheme which can be used up to five occasions for this program. We will offer a free Sail Pass on these occasions.
The social program schedule is as follows:
- Thursday Twilight Racing (16+) – the boats will be made available and we hope to see all our Club J70s on the water with young members.
- 18+ Social Events – Ad hoc Friday evenings will be organised once a month from November, from 6pm to 8.30pm
- Under 18 Social Sailing – During school holidays we look forward to getting our young members out on the water to enjoy the experience of sailing the Club J70s.
TO REGISTER or to stay informed about OUR SOCIAL PROGRAM, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Development program
The Development Program will provide opportunities for young SYC members and SYC Boating Academy participants to participate in learning and activities based around small keelboats, expanding their skills to create a pool of sailors available to crew on members’ boats. This focus will be introducing young members to the basics of keelboat racing and developing the various skills required to undertake all crewing roles.
Participants of this program must be current SYC members. This program is perfect for those who have minimal keelboat experience and are looking to create pathway opportunities. This program is a great stepping stone into the Youth Squad Program and for those transitioning out of OTB youth classes, School Programs, OutThere Sailing Programs and more.
The Development Program will be sailed on weekends and in small training blocks of five to seven weeks. It is recommended that participants consider partaking in multiple Development Programs to place them in the best position to transition into the Youth Squad Program.
TO REGISTER FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, PLEASE CLICK HERE
YOUTH SQUAD program
The Youth Squad Program will be a comprehensive sailing program, similar to that of our Advanced Squad Program but aimed at our young members between the ages of 14 to 18 years old. This is a new program that we will be running for the first time this season and we are excited to introduced this program as a feeder program towards our Advanced Squad Program. The course will be structured to help introduce young members to small keelboat training and racing with the goal to compete in the upcoming Nationals here at SYC in January 2025.
Participants looking to partake in this program should have prior racing experience at a state or national level and must be members of SYC.
The Youth Squad Program will focus on fleet racing in the J70. It is expected that those participating in the Youth Squad Program will be fully committed, will represent SYC proudly and will assist in giving back to the next generation of up and coming sailors.
TO REGISTER FOR OUR YOUTH SQUAD PROGRAM, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Advanced SQUAD program
The Advanced Program will be a comprehensive and advanced sailing program. The course will be structured to help athletes excel in all areas both on and off the water. It will provide an in depth focus on advanced aspects of sailing as members work towards competing on a state and national level with the goal to reach an international level in due course.
The Advanced Program is available to SYC young members and will be primarily focusing on fleet racing in the J70. It is expected that those participating in the Advanced Program will be fully committed, will represent SYC proudly, both at SYC and abroad, and will assist in giving back to the next generation of up and coming sailors.
TO REGISTER FOR OUR ADVANCED PROGRAM, PLEASE CLICK HERE
For further information or queries, please contact the SYC Boating Office on [email protected] or on 9599 0999.