Nationals and other regattas are a great place for families to get together with many after sailing social activities once the days racing has been completed. Regattas are best enjoyed when you think of them as a family holiday that has some sailing thrown in. Many people go a couple of days earlier to site see or relax. Others say on longer after the regatta to enjoy the local attractions.
So, what are the Optimist National Championships?
- Australian International Optimist Dinghy Association (AIODA) host annually the Australian Optimist Championships. Held in early-mid January over 7 days the championships rotate their location around each state of Australia
- For more info see: https://www.optimist.org.au/nationals/
What are the categories are sailed (e.g., ages, levels, etc.)?
- There are three categories of racing at the Nationals
- Open - Open fleet will complete 2-3 races per day and the regatta acts as the selection regatta for both the Australian Optimist Sailing Team and Australian Optimist Development squad
- Intermediate - Int racing is on the same coure but shorter than the Open fleet with 1-2 races per day
- Green Fleet - A focus on fun and on-water coaching, Green Fleet race close to shore in a supervised and supported environment with on-water and on-shore coaching provided
- More info on choosing a fleet can be viewed here - Which Fleet?
At what level should you be sailing to think about attending the Nationals?
- Optimist sailors of all levels that have completed Tackers 2 are welcome at the Nationals and the week of sailing provides a great opportunity to improve their skills along with making new friends from across the country
Why should you consider racing at Nationals? What are the benefits?
- Sailing in different environments is a great opportunity for young sailors to develop their love of sailing - new coaches, new weather, new friends, new competitors all add to enjoyment and learnings that come about for young sailors attending
What do you need to do, if anything, to qualify for Nationals?
- Entry to the National championship is open to all Optimist sailors 15yrs and under
Is the nationals just racing or are there workshops, classes, other events to join in to?
- Nationals are a great place for families to get together with many after sailing social activities once the days racing has been completed. There are group dinners, visits to local tourist attractions, even water parks visits! Regattas are best enjoyed when you think of them as a family holiday that has some sailing thrown in.
- Green Fleet has on-water and onshore coaching provided by the organisers
- Open and Intermediate sailors are usually support on and off the water by a coach oragnised through TIODA and parents
Do you need to take your own boat to race at Nationals?
- Transporting your own boat to the Nationals is ideal but charter options are available for a fee. Chartering a boat still requires you to take your own sail and sheet, but everything else is provided. Details about chartering boats are normally available on the hosting club's website or in the 'Notice of Race'. For NSW events, its normally oragnised by NB Sail Sport.
- TIODA can provide assistance in co-ordinating boat transport via the TIODA team trailer or chatting with other parents.
If you do well at Nationals, what does that lead to (e.g., worlds, moving to a different boat class, etc.)?
- For those sailors competing in the Open fleet selection in to one of the AOST groups to travel overseas is an opportunity
- Teams travel annually to World, European, North American and Asian Championships
- Development squads train together throughout the year and often travel to a regatta in Thailand and New Caledoni
What other equipment do you need to take?
- Just your Opti, sailing gear and measurement certificates and the sailors are ready to race!
Will I be able to get on water and see my child sail?
- TIODA coordinates opportunities for families to get out on the water and spectate their sailors as they race. There are a number of parents taking their family RIBs and yatches up and are always happy to take other people out to the course.
Do many people from Tasmania go?
- TIODA will usually have between 10-20 sailors competing across all fleets providing plenty of support to both sailors and families attending
Does TIODA offer any special preparation/coaching for Nationals?
- Mid-week coaching in the months leading up to Nationals is a great way for sailors to develop their skills and learn from experienced coaches that have attended many national level events previously, combined with weekend club racing to put their newly learnt skills into practice
How does the competition work (do they just chuck all the kids into one big race or are there heats, etc.)?
- Racing is split into the three fleets - Intermediate and Open on the main course and Green Fleet on a separate course usually more sheltered and closer to the launching area
