The new Junior Windsurfing Program is due to kick off at RQYS this coming Saturday 31st of Jan.
Aims of the program
Introduce kids to windsurfing and encourage active participation in the sport
provide a safe, structured, social environment to pursue the sport on a regular basis
Keep costs to a minimum
Train and develop the skills to allow kids to enjoy windsurfing in all its forms
HAVE FUN
Structure
Learn to windsurf course - designed to arm kids with the basic understanding and skills to sail in and out, rig and de-rig and self rescue. Once kids have this knowledge and skills they will join the weekly activities
Weekly Activities - Every week different activities will be run that are designed to teach skills and be fun. Activities will be based on prevailing conditions and skill level of the kids.
Become and Independant Windsurfer/Racer - The exit to the program is another course designed to ensure kids have the skills and knowledge required to be an independant windsurfer and join a fleet to pursue the sport competitively if desired.
Gear Requirements
RQYS has a small fleet of boards and rigs suitable to teach windsurfing so other than sunscreen, hats, sun shirt, old shoes etc nothing else is required.
Kids who wish to pursue the sport ongoing will be encouraged to acquire their own gear to allow club gear to be used for newbies to join. There are no specific gear requirements however some activities will require the ability to go upwind so a board with upwind ability would be recommended.
Costs
Free to junior members of RQYS
Junior Membership cost - $16.00 per month or $192.00 per year
Daily membership - $15.00 per day for the first 6 visits, $35.00 per day for the remaining 6 visits
Parents are encouraged to join in and assist
Any questions welcome
PM me if you are interested for your kids to attend
Hi Cammd,
Great work in getting this off the ground, it is a massive benefit to the windsurfing community and I'll be sharing the information around to anyone I know who want to get their kids involved in a water sport.
Do you have a minimum recommended age limit for the kids to make sure they are able to get the most out of the course?
Hi Scot
There is no specific age limit although we expect kids aged 10 to 15 years will benefit the most. However if you think your child would enjoy it they will of course be welcome regardless of whether they are younger or older.
This has been a great initiative and contribution by Cam to get this up and running. Well done.
Humble beginning, only two kids and they are both mine.
Learning to use the sail and feet to pivot the board through 360 degrees in both directions on the simulator.
On the water applying what was learned onshore.
hey Cam,
we had a Formula/Raceboard event in Sydney on Saturday and there was a young windsurfer sailing really well on a similar Bic setup, he was the first on and last off the water.
i understand a couple of kids here at the CYC have Bics on the way, they look ideal.
Doug.
Hi FJ
We used an RSX on the weekend as well, with a small fin and the footstraps removed it proved to be a great learner board
The techno's are cheap and durable and perform pretty well what is really good in my opinion is the class, as a one design youth class there is nothing else like it.
Great to hear some kids in NSW are getting into it as well, keep us posted on their progress, the Techno international class is very keen to build the class in AUS and wanted to run a Techno Oceanics in conjunction with the Raceboard Oceanics we just had last week but we didn't have enough kids to warrant it. Maybe next year.
I've put the feelers out with all my friends looking to get their kids into a water sport.
Select to expand quotejusavina said..
I guess 34 is too old then...
Jusavina given your interest in the program we decided to open it to 34 year old kids as well
HI Cam.
I love the way you are introducing young kids to windsurfing.
I started at 7 years old(31 years ago) and now have a five year old who loves the water.
I've been thinking of buying a kids rig or cutting down some old gear of mine, but he's really only becoming competent with swimming.
Do you have an entry age for your program, or is it more about skill levels?
I think my boy would enjoy just using the simulator at this stage......
Thanks
Dan.
Hi Dan
I wouldn't bother cutting down your old gear, the kids rigs are so much lighter due to the section of the mast and boom. They make a huge difference to their enjoyment and ability to actually get going. We used the kids rig 3.0mtr and a small adult 3.5 wave sail on the weekend and the difference was stark and it was due to weight more than sail area. Should have another 3 kids rigs shortly. The smaller adult rigs or cut down rigs are probably more suitable for young teenagers with a bit more strength.
We do have a 1.5m2 rig that would be good for your son and I bet we can get him going in some shallow water the only thing is I would choose a very light wind day with no chop/waves to introduce him. This weekend is looking windy but keep an eye on the forecast and bring him down.
hey Akim,
one of the dads told me you buy them direct (?)
www.internationalwindsurfing.com/userfiles/documents/BicWindsurf_T293_2015_PriceList.pdf
You can buy them direct from www.bicsportwindsurf.com (New price with full 7.8m rig approx $3200) or look in the Buy and Sell section of sea breeze. There is a used one in Melbourne at the moment for about $1100 with a non-One design rig and a full OD package in Perth for $1950. I just bought mine from Melbourne and had it sent to Canberra....BTW, found the cheapest way to send it was Qantas Freight...It cost only $100 to send the board, mast, boom, sail and all accessories by air freight airport to airport and was with me the next day.......:) Had the kids on it on Saturday...very stable platform for learning and with the potential for them to progress all the way to racing...very happy with it.
What is the recommended age, weight and skill level for the Techno?
Are there different rig sizes for different age divisions?
There are 4 different rig sizes...under 14s can choose to use the 5.8 or the 6.8 depending on their weight/ability. Up to 17 you can use 6.8 or 7.8. The 8.5 is meant only for over 17s and is called the T293 OD Plus.....It also needs a larger fin (50cm as opposed to 46cm) and requires the Deep Tuttle Box (DTT board) which is only the relatively new ones post~2012? (earlier boards have trim box fins).
The Techno was chosen as the Youth Olympic board and feeder class for Olympic RSX because it can take kids from absolute beginner to competitive OD class racing with the same board, so it should suit all skill levels.
Class rules etc can be found at www.Techno293.org
RQYS is so keen to get behind our sport and help to grow it they just advised a change in costs for juniors to participate in the Learn to Windsurf Program
Daily Membership no longer applies and is not required for juniors
Now the only costs are $16.00 per month for a junior membership in the squadron. You do not need to commit to the full year just keep paying the $16.00 per month as long as you keep turning up.
Once a squadron member then the program is of free.
Just to clarify $16.00 per month gives your child up to 15 hours of supervised windsurf coaching per month gear supplied and as members they can access the squadron as often as they like and participate in other programs that are running.
Love what you are doing Cammd....inspired us to run a beginners session at Canberra YC today...had 7 enthusiastic Opti sailors having a crack and they loved it....might need to make it a regular thing.....;)
Cammd,
Where exactly do we meet?
I have not been to the yacht club before.
Cheers
Michael
Select to expand quoteMlwj64 said..
Cammd,
Where exactly do we meet?
I have not been to the yacht club before.
Cheers
Michael
Very sorry for the confusion today
The address is
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
578 Royal Esplande Manly
www.google.com.au/maps/place/Royal+Queensland+Yacht+Squadron/@-27.460763,153.190361,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x2af27fff000dab5d
Enter through the security gates, but stop off at reception first to get a pin code for the gate, then drive straight up through the club until you get to the beach, you will see us there.
Select to expand quoten4s said..
Love what you are doing Cammd....inspired us to run a beginners session at Canberra YC today...had 7 enthusiastic Opti sailors having a crack and they loved it....might need to make it a regular thing.....;)
Awesome stuff, I think making it a regular thing is going to be the catalyst for getting kids involved.
We organised a mark about a 100mtr offshore today and held some races, up for grabs was a chocolate bar, best of 5 and my 10yo managed to get the better of his big sister in three of the five. I ended up awarding chocolate bars for first and second placings. They had a great time and stayed on the water for over 2 hours, hunger and thirst finally brought them back in. Next week we have a new starter, fantastic,
We also had a coaching session going on with Max Wojik the Aus RSX coach, he got involved buzzing around in the coach boat offering tips and encouragement was a great day with probably close to 15 or so boards in the same area and the kids mixed in with them, They are looking forward to next week now/
I didn't get any photos today but if anyone did post them up please.
n4s we would be looking for a ACT representative on the Australian techno class association committee, someone to be a champion of youth windsurfing in Canberra, interested or know of someone who might be.
Yeah nice to see kids enjoying the lesson today when we were with Max. The Bic Techno 293 One Design reminded me the time when I started learning basic things.
Yeah it was good to see - great to see what you are doing for the sport
Here are a couple of photos
Select to expand quotecammd said..n4s said..
Love what you are doing Cammd....inspired us to run a beginners session at Canberra YC today...had 7 enthusiastic Opti sailors having a crack and they loved it....might need to make it a regular thing.....;)
Awesome stuff, I think making it a regular thing is going to be the catalyst for getting kids involved.
We organised a mark about a 100mtr offshore today and held some races, up for grabs was a chocolate bar, best of 5 and my 10yo managed to get the better of his big sister in three of the five. I ended up awarding chocolate bars for first and second placings. They had a great time and stayed on the water for over 2 hours, hunger and thirst finally brought them back in. Next week we have a new starter, fantastic,
We also had a coaching session going on with Max Wojik the Aus RSX coach, he got involved buzzing around in the coach boat offering tips and encouragement was a great day with probably close to 15 or so boards in the same area and the kids mixed in with them, They are looking forward to next week now/
I didn't get any photos today but if anyone did post them up please.
n4s we would be looking for a ACT representative on the Australian techno class association committee, someone to be a champion of youth windsurfing in Canberra, interested or know of someone who might be.
Hi Cammd, We are running another session on Friday, we will see how it goes. As I think I have the only Techno 293 in Canberra, I am happy to be involved in some way. Would prefer to wait a little and see if we can create some momentum before playing an official role though. I will PM you my email so you can contact me directly.
Is there a lower wind limit for the lessons cammd?
So far Sat forecast is 15 knots but Sunday is petering out like last weekend.
Select to expand quoteMlwj64 said..
Is there a lower wind limit for the lessons cammd?
So far Sat forecast is 15 knots but Sunday is petering out like last weekend.
Hi Mlwj64
No lower wind limit, we would only look to cancel sailing if conditions were unsafe and even then we would still hold a session onshore. Saturday is looking good hope to see you there. Start time is 9.00am.
