There are currently 30 Optimists on the back beach. The intention is that at the work party next Saturday 17th March all these Optimists on the back beach will be moved to the new racking. I would like to encourage as many parents of Optimist sailors to come along next Saturday to help with moving these boats. The work party starts at 10am, meet at the scrutineer's shed.

We will try and contact the owners of the Optimists currently on the back beach to advise them, but will in any event ensure that all boats which are moved without the owners being present will be adequately secured, so long as they are currently tied down. If you have any queries please contact Ruth Williams the Optimist class captain or myself.

Due to the shortage of space for boats on the Club site, HISC Management Committee took the decision last year that all Optimists had to be racked. This will free up a considerable area of the back beach for the parking of other boats which will ease the pressure on boat parking on the Club site generally. - Caroline Maxfield

RYA Youth Championships 2007
This event takes place at HISC on 9 - 14 April, controlled by the RYA in conjunction with the club. This is a prestigious event, which will see the selection of 29er, Laser, Hobie and Sailboard sailors to represent GBR at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Ottawa in July and sailors for the RYA Youth squads. Note that entries must be in before Saturday 31 March. Please follow the link for Entry details and the NOR - RYA Championship website

HISC Youth Section programme for 2007
I would also extend a plea to our talented adult Club sailors, particularly those who are experienced coaches or instructors, to volunteer for a youth club duty, so that our youngsters have the opportunity of benefiting from your skills.

This is a resource that we do not exploit as much as we should for the benefit of our young sailors. If anyone wishes to discuss with me further how they can help our younger Members, please get in touch.

RYA Senior Instructor Course - We wish to run an RYA Senior Instructors course over two weekends in the Spring. If you are interested in obtaining this qualification please let me know.

The full draft Youth programme is posted on the youth pages of the web site, the highlights of the programme are set out below:-

10th to 14th April - HISC will be hosting the RYA Youth Championships during the week after Easter. This is a prestigious event, which will see the selection of 29er, Laser, Hobie and Sailboard sailors to represent GBR at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Ottawa in July and sailors for the RYA Youth squads.

29th May to 1st June - At May half term is the training week for Optimist and Feva sailors, the booking forms for this will, as usual, accompany the March mailing. Any instructors and helpers who wish to assist with this week, please contact Debbie Darling.

21st/22nd April and 2nd/3rd June - Following the popularity of the Feva Sprint event last year, we have planned two events this year.

30th June 1st July - Two day Optimist open meeting.

30th July to 3rd August - Family Fun week will take place from 30th July to 3rd August but we require more volunteers to come forward to help run the week. If you can help, please contact me or complete the duty card accordingly. This week is dependent on suitable organisers putting themselves forward.

6th to 10th August - Youth Race week

The Youth committee is working closely with the Racing Committee to improve club racing for RS Feva and Laser sailors. The 29er fleet at HISC is growing and the RS500 is increasing in popularity and hopefully a good racing fleet will develop.

Starting in March Optimist and Feva training will take place on Saturday mornings on alternate weekends and Optimist racing on every Sunday. Anyone who is interested in training in Toppers, Lasers or RS 500’s please let me know. We will arrange some training sessions if there is sufficient demand and the volunteers to support them.

Sue Watson, Feva Class captain is keen to build up the number of Fevas who regularly take part in Club racing. Please contact her for more information about the Feva programme.

If you are unsure of what opportunities are provided for our youth sailors please refer to pages 26 to 28 of the Year book, which contains full details, or here on the Youth pages.

Crewing list - A crewing list has been set up on the HISC web site. Adults who are looking for crew can advertise there. As adverts cannot be accepted from those under the age of 18, Sue Watson as Feva class captain has agreed to maintain a list of Youth Feva sailors looking for helms and crews and the RS200 class captain James Weatherstone has agreed to keep a list of under 18's keen to crew RS200's. Their contact details are on the class captain's page of the HISC web site. We hope this will help more youth sailors to take part in Club racing.

Please contact for any further information regarding Youth Events. - Caroline Maxfield

Useful HISC Contacts