Are you aware that NZIODA sends three development teams to Noumea, New Caledonia, to train and sail in the ‘ALLIANZ Optimist Regatta’ held each October? These three teams are chosen from sailors’ rankings at the New Zealand Toyota Optimist Nationals event only.
This is a great opportunity for your young sailor as each development team is assigned an NZIODA coach who works with them at the ‘Teams’ Development Clinic’ held at the Peter Snell Youth Village at Whangaparoa in May, and then helps the team train and prepare for the event in Noumea in October.
Last year the trip to Noumea cost around NZ$5,500 for each sailor and their accompanying parent to attend the regatta, however you will need to budget extra costs for attending the compulsory camp in May ( the sailor and the travelling parent), as well as any training events agreed by the team that take place prior to the event while still in New Zealand.
Take a look at the current selection criteria for our boys, girls and senior development teams HERE to see if your sailor is eligible.
Please be aware that it is a requirement of NZIODA that each sailor has a parent to travel with them to Noumea as well as attend the May training clinic. Once the IODA travelling teams are confirmed after the Nationals, development teams will be selected. We suggest that you start thinking about whether you would take up the option if you were to be invited to be part of one of these teams, as once the invitation comes you will only have 48 hours to make a decision before your place is passed on to the next ranked sailor.
Best wishes from the NZ International Optimist Dinghy Association
PS: For information on NZ Team Selection click HERE