BBYC CENTREBOARD DIVISION
Welcome aboard for our latest sailing season! We hope that families and their sailors will meet new friends and have a thoroughly enjoyable season with us. Progress will be made by those who listen to advice and put in their best efforts when on the water.
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BBYC Centreboard offers sailing for Green Fleet Optimist, Open Optimist, O'Pen Skiff, P-Class, Starling and RS Feva fleets, both Winter Series and Summer Coaching.
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Junior East Auckland Zone Regatta this Sunday 28th April 24 - Click Here for all the details
BBYC - RS Traveller Series 2nd & 3rd March
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Click Here to view the BBYC Centreboard Sailing Calendar 2023/24
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Click here for the registration form
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GREEN FLEET CRITERIA
A sailor is eligible to sail in the green fleet once he/she has completed Learn to Sail Level 3 and until they have finished in the top 3 in any two major* regattas, has finished in the first half at the Nationals or has been sailing for more than 2 years. *A fleet of 15 or more sailors ranks as a major regatta.
SUNDAY RACE DAY
Racing is held each Sunday from September to April and is either held in the morning or afternoon depending on the tide. We predominately sail on the Western side of the Tamaki River opposite Big Buckland’s Beach.
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Occasionally, visits to other yacht clubs will be included in the program including the Eastern Zone Regatta series which includes racing at Glendowie, Howick, and Maraetai Yacht Clubs.
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Usually 4 back-to-back races are held each Sunday on triangular courses. At the day’s briefing, instructions for the courses will be explained, as found in the centre section of the Year Book. Prior to the briefing session, there are opportunities to mingle, assist each other in rigging and to learn from other sailors. It is here that new friendships may be formed.
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Coaching is provided on the race course with comprehensive post race debriefing session undertaken ensuring sailor’s skills are continuing to be improved after each race day.
We also include destination sail days to St Heliers, and the Around Browns Island Race into the annual program to ensure the sailors have a fun filled experience.
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RIGGING AND BRIEFING
The rigging area for the BBYC centreboard will be at the front of Wharf road on The Parade, Bucklands Beach
Rigging Time – Boats to be rigged up by half an hour prior to race start time.
Briefing Time – will be 30minutes prior to race start time.
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POINT SYSTEM AND PRIZE GIVING
The racing series is divided into 4 blocks – Spring Series, Pre-Xmas Series, New Year Series, Autumn Series. At the end of each season a formal prize giving is held at the main BBYC Club House.
During the year the families are invited to attend BBQs back at the clubhouse an opportunity to extend friendships with others.
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Acknowledgement is made of sailor place-getters and/or those who have made great progress. The better the sailor does the less points are awarded. So at the end of the season it is those with the lowest points who are considered winners. Should a sailor not attend a race day then he/she gets penalised by receiving extra points.
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RACING RULES
Racing is governed by the racing rules publication – Yachting New Zealand Racing Rules of Sailing and Safety Regulations 2020-2023. Sailors intending to race seriously need a copy, which may be purchased from the BBYC office.
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CENTREBOARD NOTICE BOARD
This is located at the BBYC building’s entrance forecourt and is used to inform sailors and families of up and coming events, race results, changes in sailing instructions for the day, or change of venue as specified in the programme.
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The Centreboard Division has its own Facebook page and a weekly email is sent to all sailors informing them of the Sunday sailing program.
SUGGESTED CLOTHING FOR SAILORS
Proper clothing is essential, as energy loss through improper clothing has the effect of draining the sailor mentally and physically. Warm clothing, wetsuit, lycra product, spray jacket (a must), wet shoes, gloves, hat, buoyancy vest, sunscreen, lunchbox and drink.
Additional spare clothing can be carried in a Patrol Boat and should be in a labelled plastic bag with drink and food.
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YACHTS FOR HIRE
The BBYC has 6 Optimist fibreglass race boats for hire that can be hired by sailors for $250 for a six month period. These yachts are ideal for Green Fleet and are an excellent stepping stone prior to committing to the purchase of a sailors first yacht.
The Club also has Open Skiff and RS Fevas that can be hired for specific events.
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Inquiries about renting these yachts can be made at the Yacht Club Office.
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COACHING
Midweek coaching is provided to sailors on a Tuesday (TBA) night after school in summer, for approximately two hours on the water. If weather does not permit an on the water session “blackboard sessions” on the rules, sailing theory and tuning will be provided to sailors at the BBYC Clubrooms.
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PARENTS
Parents are encouraged to help out on the water on race days on the club patrol boats assisting with laying marks, on the start boat or providing encouragement on the water.
The club want parents to also enjoy the fun of being on the water with their sailor and enjoying the facilities the BBYC has to offer.
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