Tasmanian Sailing Academy sailors head for NSW Youth championships

1:14 AM Fri 2 Oct 2009 GMT

'7 boats and 1 windsurfer on tour!' Richard Scarr Click Here to view large photo

Eight young Tasmanian Laser dinghy and windsurfer sailors are taking part in the NSW Youth Championships at Georges River 16ft Sailing Club over the October long weekend.

The sailors from the Tasmanian Sailing Academy, supported by Yachting Tasmania, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and Dinghy Group, have travelled across Bass Strait to Sydney with a car and trailer load of boats. For some, the NSW Youths will be their first major regatta away from Tasmania, with the youngest team member 13 years old.

The NSW Youths will see most of the new TSA squad Laser and Windsurfer sailors taking part, including Zach Pullen (Radial), Zach Pettard (Radial 4.7), Nathan McMillian (Radial), Angus Barton (Radial), Emma Barton (Radial 4.7), Hugh Jones (Radial 4.7), Oisin Asmal (Radial 4.7) and Jack McCullum (Bic Windsurfer).

All TSA members, as part of their entry, must take part in their class National championships and the Australian Youth championships. In addition to these events, their state coach has arranged for members to sail in the Queensland Youth championships, NSW Youth championships, Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne.

The Tasmanian Sailing Academy this year has expanded its numbers in both the development squad and Tasmanian Institute of Sport squad. Growth of the development squad is required to maintain the youth stocks so the program
has plenty of depth of talent in later years.

Having this depth means that the developing sailor are getting the high performance coaching early so their knowledge and skill is constantly be increased.

All members of the TSA train on the water five sessions a week, a combination of early mornings, after school and all day Sunday (alternate weeks for single sail and 2 sail boats). Off water training includes fitness. All this is arranged to fit in with their school work and social time.

Follow the results at NSW Youth Sailing championships on www.yachtingnsw.com.au/

by Peter Campbell