Whitworths Tackers Boat Program putting kids in boats

The Whitworths Tackers Program has once again proved a major success in 2023, with the generosity of Whitworths securing the sponsored purchase of 30 Ozi Opti Tackers boats and 150 sails at Tackers Centres around Australia.

Whitworths Tackers boats at Maroochy Sailing Club

In 2023, seven clubs from three states were granted sponsorship through the Whitworths Tackers Program that saw the Australian Sailing partner cover half the cost of the new boats. Additionally, the ‘New for Old’ Sail Program see 148 sails being delivered to clubs around Australia to support centres in delivering the program using quality equipment.

The Whitworths Tackers Program is invaluable to grassroots sailing around Australia, with clubs such as the Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) in Queensland able to introduce more local youth to the sport and prioritise youth involvement thanks to the four new boats they received as a part of the program.

Gärd Saunders, Rear Commodore of Maroochy Sailing Club, is exceptionally grateful for the support of Whitworths, stating ‘with new boats in our Tackers fleet we can continue our successful Tacker 2 and Tacker 3 programs that we use to get children sailing quickly and with maximum fun’. It also aids in expanding the clubs membership ‘bringing in enthusiastic parents and siblings each season’.

Whitworths Tackers boats in action at Maroochy Sailing Club

This year also saw the introduction to the Green Fleet Ezi Opti boat loan program, where two clubs; one in Victoria and the another in Western Australia look to boost retention of sailors from Tackers to Green Fleet through this initiative.

Whitworths, with the help of Ozi Opti’s continued partnership, has been sponsoring junior sailing and specifically the Tackers program well over a decade, with the first boats being donated to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in 2007. Since then, Whitworths has sponsored over 500 boats to Tackers Centres and clubs that have been in need, such as Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club when their existing fleet was destroyed by fire.

Australian Sailing would like to extend its sincerest thanks to both Whitworths and Ozi Opti for their support of this crucial program.