Optimists

TYPBC use the Optimists as the main training boat for our Learn to Sail Programme. The Optimist is a key boat in a young sailor's development, often starting in a plastic Optimist, moving to a fibreglass one once confident.

It's an incredibly stable and robustly designed boat, suited to a variety of conditions.  Sailors of this class usually weigh between 35 and 55 kg.

These boats are where most junior sailors start their Centerboard Sunday Sailing journey, and progress into their first regattas.  

The class does have national ranking regattas, and international travel teams.

The NZ International Optimist Dinghy Association 

NZIODA is the organisation that is the central point for Optimist sailing. 

This will cover most elements of Optimist sailing, but of course ask your coaches/Optimist Club Rep or other parents for anything you need help with.

If your sailor wants to enter ranking regattas there is an annual fee to belong to New Zealand International Optimist Dinghy Association (NZIODA).