Youth sailing update

An update from Jonathan Kline of Mercury Bay Boating Club

Our Term 1 Mercury Bay Mentors kicked off their first session yesterday.  The Mercury Bay Mentor program is designed for junior sailors aged 7 to 11 and teaches kids the fun and thrill of sailing, while they gain confidence and shipshape habits.  Children will learn the basic concepts of seamanship and the sport of sailing.  In addition, they will be taught to become ambassadors for the sport and coastal stewards of our unique environment.  The primary objective is to introduce sailing as a fun, safe activity and prepare these young sailors to progress to the Mercury Bay Boating Club’s Level One learn to sail program.

The day opened with low cloud, drizzle, and a perfect 10 knot north-easterly breeze.  These junior sailors did not let the grey day dampen their enthusiasm and needed little prompting when the order was given to suit up and get ready to sail.  Our volunteer parents and coaches were also invigorated by the warm showers, steel-grey sea, and enchanting views of our offshore islands, emerging and disappearing from behind frequent curtains of rain.   

We began our session at the Boating Club with lessons on proper dress, safety, and club rules.  We then moved outside to orient the kids with the points of the compass and how they relate to the main geographical features of the bay. 

For more information about the Mercury Bay Youth Sailing please contact Tara Corley or Jonathan Kline at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Facebook – Mercury Bay Youth Sailing.

Mercury Bay Youth Sailing promotes sailing, seamanship, ocean and coastal stewardship, and marine awareness among our town's youth and adults so that they become ambassadors for the sport and champions of our unique and precious environment.

Jonathan Kline

+64 27 392 7280

Many thanks to Linda Bird for the excellent photos.