It is with regret that the NZIODA committee has made the difficult decision NOT to send a team to the Qingdao Exchange to be held in August 2023.
We are aware that this will be very disappointing news for many of our young sailors.
This sailor exchange programme is now in its 6th year and forms a unique offering to our NZIODA members. Successful applicants four (4) from White Fleet and two (2) from Open Fleet will be offered the opportunity to travel to Qingdao as a team of 6 sailors with one coach and one manager. As guests of the Qingdao Administration Centre of Sailing Sport you will be offered complementary training camp, regatta, accommodation and meals.
The purpose of this programme includes:
- International travel experience for Intermediate level sailors
- Cultural exchange with sailors of other Nations (e. g China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Poland, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Spain)
- Development of regatta preparation and management skills in new environment (NOTE:Â Qingdao is typically extremely hot and humid in August)
- Learning to manage charter boat set-up and travelling with sailing equipment
- Sailors and parents learning to travel as a team under the guidance of a coach
Successful applicants will be responsible for flights to and from China, visas, travel insurance and coaching fees. This experience would best suit intermediate and Open Fleet sailors with an accompanying parent. Ask any past NZIODA exchange families and they will all agree this is one of the highlights of your time in the junior fleet.
2023 Event Details
Dates
2023 Dates to be confirmed (typically first/second week of August)
Venue
Qingdao – please note that there are no direct flights and a transit will be required either via Beijing or Shanghai
Sailors
Six (6) current financial members of NZIODA (on application)
Coach
One (1) Yachting New Zealand Qualified Sailing Coach with current NZIODA endorsement
Manager
One (1) Parent Team Manager
Cost
Approx $2,500 + airfares
Admin
$150 per sailor + travelling parent
NOTE: The amount indicated is a return airfare as well as by accepting your position you agree to pay $500 contribution towards their team accommodation here as part of the reciprocal arrangement.
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Register Interest
Upon receiving our invitation from the Chinese Yachting Association we will email all current NZIODA members advising them of the opportunity.
Selection will be on a first come first served basis as this representative team opportunity open to a wide range of sailors. This will be first open to 4 junior sailor from the White Fleet who have during the season made any podium position followed by first expressed interest from other white fleet sailors after NZIODA notification and two Open Fleet sailors who are not eligible for Travelling or Development Teams. The latter will be first chosen on their placing at last Nationals.
Please be sure you are registered to be eligible and to receive NZIODA newsletters or relevant updates.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DEADLINE FOR INTEREST IS SATURDAY 30TH APRIL 2023
NOTE: Caveat re COVID19 – For 2021-22 season. At the time of publishing NZIODA cannot guarantee that this event will take place this season. Updates will be notified in advance of the EOI date as certainty can be established by NZIODA committee.