If you have never been part of an NZIODA development team before, now is your chance to throw your hat in the ring. All you need to do is compete in the Open fleet at the Toyota Optimist Nationals being held at Royal Akarana Yacht Club next month, to give yourself the chance to qualify.
Each year NZIODA selects three development teams by invitation only, and supports these young sailors and their families by engaging great coaches and providing administrative support to attend a regatta outside of New Zealand. This year’s teams will travel to the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club at Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia. The teams will arrive at the venue on 30th September, have 2 – 3 days training at the venue, and then compete in the New South Wales Youth Championships from 4 – 6 October. This is a great opportunity to experience the excitement of a big event as part of a team. Being part of a development team also creates the opportunity to be part of a training team over winter and to participate in the team clinic held at the Peter Snell Youth Village at Whangaparoa at King’s birthday weekend.
After the Toyota Optimist Nationals, invitations will be sent out to sailors who are ranked the highest at the event, and are not already part of an IODA travelling team for 2025 (or have travelled as part of a development team previously). The criteria for each team can be found on our website.
More information about development teams and indicative costs can be found here.