HISC Youth Section Information
1 Objectives:
The Youth Section of Hayling Island Sailing Club exists for members under the age of 18. It aims to develop in those members a love of sailing and the sea, and to help them realize their potential in the sport of sailing in all its aspects. The Club values the family, and promoting the sport among its young members will help secure its future.
2 Organisation:
Activity is co-ordinated by the Rear Commodore (Youth) and the Youth Committee. The Club’s ethos is that Youth is non–profit making.
3 Membership:
Adult Family membership automatically includes children under 18 years of age. Youth membership applies to children between the ages of 12 and 17, whose parents/guardians are not members. Further information about these categories can be found in the Yearbook.
4 Responsibility:
During organised Section activities safety cover will be provided on the water, however parents/guardians, or other nominated adults, are expected to be present on the Club premises. If a parent/guardian is not present, the person in charge of the activity must be notified who has responsibility for the child. At all other times parents/guardians have sole responsibility, as stated in Club Bye-Law 2.7.
Parents/guardians are also responsible at all times for ensuring the suitability and seaworthiness of their children’s boat(s) and that their child is suitably dressed for the prevailing conditions.
5 Classes Sailed:
The Section supports activity in the following dinghy classes, some of which are now RYA recognised Junior and Youth Classes:
Single handers:- Laser (Standard, Radial, 4.7) Topper RS Tera and Optimist
Double handers:- 29er, RS Feva, Mirror, RS500 and International 420
The classes supported are kept under regular review to reflect current trends.
Optimist and RS Tera: Most children start sailing in the Optimist and Tera from approx age 8, when they can participate in training activities, and progress to Club racing at the appropriate time. This is the proven route for learning basic seamanship and racing skills. There are opportunities to progress in the class inside and outside the Club, perhaps even to International level.
Topper: Whilst not actively raced in the Club currently, provide opportunities for training and progression. It is suggested that this class might suit young people from age 12 and of minimum weight 45kg.
Laser: The next stage for the aspiring single-handed sailor is into the Laser class in all its variants. The 4.7, Radial, and Standard rigs provide a progression to match the sailor into adulthood.
RS Feva: has been on the scene for a short time only, but is already the 2-handed boat of choice for our young sailors moving on from the Optimist. It means children can start their sailing careers in the crewing role, with the added excitement of the asymmetric spinnaker.
The International 420 and the 29er provide a well proven route for advancement in 2-handed sailing.
6 Training:
Training of our young sailors is key to the development of our club. HISC is a recognised RYA teaching establishment, and a Volvo Champion Club. There is a range of training available from beginner to advanced: More details can be found in the handbook.
HISC has a formalised RYA training structure set out in the HISC calendar to take children through Stage 1 to Stage 3. These courses will be run by our resident HISC Instructors. Courses will need to be pre-booked and pre-paid for at the HISC Office.
In addition a number of Volvo funded RYA training days are planned.
The summer half term week provides the first opportunity for many young members to experience an intensive period of sail training. Youth training Week is for older children aged over 8 at beginner or intermediate level. This course is consistantly over subscribed and speedy booking is recommended. Entry details will be announced in the Spring by HISC newsgroup.
7 Racing:
There is a programme of racing in the Club for youth sailors throughout the season on Sundays. A special 'Red Ribbon' fleet which exists for younger competitors to gain experience and confidence. Other classes, including Toppers, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, 420s, 29ers, Teras and Fevas will race with the main club handicap fleets, unless sufficient numbers develop to allow class starts.
The racing programme will include Open Meetings for Junior and Youth classes, providing opportunities for members to compete in larger fleets, and against sailors from outside the Club.
The schedule of youth racing is published in the programme in the yearbook and on the website. A typical race day (sunday) commences with a briefing for competitors at 11:00 hrs, when the day's programme will be outlined.
Highlights of the HISC calendar for youth members include Family Fun Week and Youth Race Week in August.
8 Support and Communication:
The Youth Section could not function without the help of the parents, other adult helpers, and the older qualified teenagers. Many of these people give a lot of their time, often well beyond their compulsory 'duty' days. Tasks undertaken include patrol boat driver/crew, instructor, beachmaster, race officer and assistant, social organiser, fundraiser, committee member, etc, etc.
Members who would like to do be involved in these activities, as part of or in addition to their Club duty, or just to get more information, are invited to contact the Rear Commodore Youth or any member of the Youth committee.
Detail about all activities may be found in the Club programme in the yearbook and on the website. In addition members are invited to subscribe to the e-mail newsletter, providing regular and up-to-date news and information about the section's activities, delivered to their e-mail inbox! Subscribe via the Club website - Newsletter page.
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