Etchells Youth Program a reality!

It has been a long term goal of the Brisbane Etchells Fleet at RQYS to initiate a Youth Program and to identify and nurture youth within the class for the benefit of those participating in the program, the Etchells at RQYS, Nationally and beyond.

Although this has been just an idea on the backburner for a couple of years now due to the enormous amount of energy and resources required to initiate and conduct lead up regattas prior to and including the Etchells Worlds at RQYS last October. It is now a reality and we have a  team racing this coming weekend in the Etchells Brisbane Fleet Championship. This team was also on the water last Saturday for its’ first hit out.

The team for this regatta consists of Mitchell Miller on helm, Lachlan Prentice on sheet, Sam Costin assistant forward and Cooper Richmond on bow. The team is managed by Greg Kemp as Boat Captain who coordinates all of the organization needed to make things happen, such as logistics, boat maintenance and coaching. It is early days and we will have our challenges however we are determined to make this a long term reality. Other youth teams exist in Etchells in other clubs around Australia and Internationally and we look forward to competing against those teams at different venues.

All of this is made possible due to the generosity of long term member Hume Campbell who has given his boat ‘Rogue’ to the Etchells Youth Program on a loan basis. Rogue, AUS 1130 is a good boat and we are fortunate to have her. Thank you Hume we are very grateful.

Expressions of interest can be made to Greg Kemp on 0408 685889 or Noel Paterson on 0413 739058.

Noel Paterson

Brisbane Etchells Fleet Captain