Gulf Harbour Yacht Club sponsors kids to go sailing on Lion New Zealand

Gulf Harbour Yacht Club turns 30 years old this year and part of the celebration they are sponsoring seven students from their local school, Whangaparoa College to join the Youth Sailing Day on board Lion NZ on Friday 19th July.

Mike Pigneguy, committee member from the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club is the driver of this idea.  Mike and his wife used to own Te Aroha 30m motor sailer doing multi day trips around the Gulf so knows only too well what might inspire students and thinks what better way than on board Lion NZ.  Mike shares similar values to the NZ Sailing Trust and is passionate about the environment and recently sharing with his club members about the small things we as boat owners can do to help the environment.

Mike’s knows how yacht clubs in general struggle to get youth sailors in the sport, let alone continue in the sport and join clubs.  Clubs are maturing not only as a club but the members so he thought that by giving back to students from their local school might spark some interest in sailing.  Once the trip is over, Mike will invite the students to share with the club their experiences and intends to build on this opportunity in future to do an overnight voyage or sponsor a student on the Spirit of New Zealand.

Mike hopes that the young people that go sailing on Friday will motivate them to explore more sailing opportunities and will offer to take them out sailing on club nights.

There are a few places left this Friday 19thJuly, 0900 to 1500, leaving from Auckland Viaduct Harbour.  For more details and how to register, please call Evelien 021 333 816.