Greetings Sailors and Families
NZIODA proposing their Nationals be held in November has been well received and supported. Aided with the flush of online creativity ever eager Optimists continue to brush up sailing theory through videos and have been found secretly building super fitness in their gym bubbles. Hope remains the upcoming Wellington event (Nov 6th to 9th), using large quantities of salt water, remember that stuff, will be a great festive occasion. Encouragement is given for sailors to enter the white fleet as the class hopefully winds into the new season. Taking heed, means progressive greenies, sailors who have been valiantly fighting at the back of the open fleet, as well as sailors lacking big enough swimming pools at home to train in, can start to consider a new possibility at the front!
Final 2020 season rankings are now confirmed. Special congratulations to the top 5 National sailors, Joe Leith (Murrays Bay SC), Sean Kensington (Kohimarama YC), Noah Shirley (Kohimarama YC / Murrays Bay SC), Jasper Camenzind (Murrays Bay SC) and Noah Malpot (Nelson YC). Currently these are the sailors eligible to represent NZIODA at the World championship. Also congrats to the top ranked National Girl, Hermione Aris from Murrays Bay SC. The first 25 ranked sailors will be presented their numbered caps in due course. Regrettably the committee is unable to make decisions regarding Traveling or Development Teams yet. Latest information effecting any possible future will lie with NZ government and the regular updates made on IODA world website.
Despite the current uncertainties, NZIODA is excited to be recruiting an administrator. This presents a major shift for the class aided through the support and encouragement of the OWNZ trust. For our biggest national sailing fleet this long overdue step will facilitate improved access and entry into a sport that often becomes a lifetime of enduring friendships and learning. The Optimist class is wonderfully supported throughout NZ by Regional clubs, Race officers, Judges, Measurers, Mark layers, Beach masters, many of whom are parents and all volunteer through seeing the benefit to our youngest sailors. Add to this, support from Coaches, Yachting New Zealand, funders, sponsors, and suppliers, NZIODA sees ample opportunity through this new role for being more proactive with its stakeholders in coordinating opportunities for this community. Interest in applying for this permanent part-time position may be made to nzoptimist@gmail.com.
The delayed NZIODA AGM will now be held in November at the Worser Bay Nationals. The current committee members have worked well together and are pleased with achievements to date. Most will stand for next season ensuring continuity in the direction taken by the association.These include Glen Armstrong (Worser Bay BC), Gavin Brady (Wakatere BC), John Bullot (Murrays Bay SC), Dan Leech (Charteris Bay YC), Andy Stone (Kohimarama YC), newly standing will be Steve Potbury (Napier SC). Thanks go to departing Manu Malpot (Nelson YC) . After three years as President David Kayrouz (Wakatere BC) and Secretary Bryce Day (Murrays Bay SC) will step down leaving their executive roles open for election. NZIODA encourages all clubs actively supporting the Optimist class to identify within their membership suitable candidates to fulfil the positions of President, Secretary and Treasurer of the association and to propose their nomination to nzoptimist@gmail.com before September 30th, 2020.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield, our NZ Director General of Health commented recently “Leadership is an invitation to collective action”. Here lies that opportunity.
Meanwhile from the all the committee Stay safe.
David Kayrouz
President