Helly Hansen Women's Clinics

For the 2007/2008 season we have expanded our popular Helly Hansen Women's Sailing series of clinics. Now there are four, starting with beginners and working up to Rules and Tactics for the serious racers.

Sailing 101 with Penny Whiting – Intro to Sailing
Discover your inner sailor! Penny Whiting, the mother of New Zealand sailing, has taught thousands of people how to sail, and at Sailing 101 you will learn about why you need to learn to sail, what makes good crew, understanding the terminology, the basics of rigging and wind, confidence and safety. You’ll get to spend a 45 minute session aboard a moored boat finding out how sailing systems work, and you’ll also be informed about how to get into the sport, once we’ve given you a taste for salty air.

6pm at the Ponsonby Cruising Club, October 23rd. $20 at the door ($25 with pizza)

Sailing 201 with Sarah Ell and Sally Garrett – Intro to Racing
Racing is a whole different ballgame to cruising, but it’s definitely where the action is and once you are hooked, you are hooked for good. Auckland offers terrific opportunities for learning how to sail and getting aboard a race crew, no matter how social or competitive you want to be. Sailing 201, in association with Sarah Ell, author of ‘How to Speak Yachtie’ will teach you how to get started, what gear you need, what the racing terminology means, positions on the boat, do’s and don’ts, and safety. Then, with Sally Garrett (second, 2007 Women’s Keelboat Nationals) you’ll find out what’s happening on the race track, about starts, beats, runs, gybes, and how to get invited back. Most of all, it’s in plain English and there’s no pressure… so you’ll be better equipped to cope when the pressure is on.

6pm at the Ponsonby Cruising Club, November 5th. $20 at the door ($25 with pizza)

Sailing 202 – Sail Trim and Boatspeed
If you have been racing for a year or more you should come, and if you’ve just started out you should come too, because you have to learn somehow. This advanced two-hour classroom session for women will teach you about how to make the boat go faster by correct sail trim, and optimized boat handling.

Sailing 301 – Tactics and Rules of Racing
If you can put your boat in the right place, maximize the wind shifts and tide, and understand and leverage the rules of racing, you will be much better off in the final standings. Learn from top sailors and from International Rules Umpire John Rountree at this two-hour classroom session designed specifically for women’s racing in Auckland.

Click Here to register