Keen to advance to the next level of sailing maturity, around a dozen young people are working towards full sailing instructor status at the age of 18.

“At least five assistant instructors have progressed from novice to advanced sailors in less than 18 months through the Southern Ocean Sailing Centre program. For some of the group this is their third year of sailing,” coordinator Renee Saunders said.

Nine from this elite group have already begun their assistant instructor training out on the water.

The latest intake of 23 novice sailors are enjoying specialised one on one tuition out on the water, with two generous instructors helping the very youngest adventurers.

The clubs emphasis on learning by doing has clearly captured the interest and enthusiasm of many young people looking to test their own boundaries, while still part of a team.

As experienced instructor, Anita Saunders said these young assistant instructors “have started the pathway to become instructors, recognised by Yachting Australia, which will open doors for them to teach sailing round the world, particularly in the US.”

Saturday afternoon’s club race was the second club championship race and was a tricky day with light breezes and gusts seemingly hanging in pockets throughout the bay.

Not a very eventful race for Ian Saunders and his crew aboard Sharpie ‘Obsession’, after a very close and exciting start for all monohulls, less than a minute in to the race Ian’s forestay snapped and, although lucky to save his rig, his race was over.

Other Sharpies in the division had a better race, with some close sailing, until Josh Jenkins capsized ‘The Real Woman’, cracking under pressure from Renee Saunders on ‘Jousting Stick’, who took out the division.

Full results and pictures from Saturday’s racing are available online at www.vhyc.org.au

DIVISION WINNERS: Division one – Simon Porteous – Zen – F16, division two – Scott Standish – P.T.O. – Arrow, division three – Charlie Coombs – Nirvana – Arafura, division four – Ian Rowan – Sea Horse – Sabre, division five – Ian Porteous – Yoldi – TS16, division six – Ben Doley – T-Rex Tsunami – 420 and division seven – Renee Saunders – Jousting Stick – Sharpie.