Op-eNews: the bi-monthly newsletter from IOCA (UK)
2014 Volvo Gill
Optimist
British National
& Open Championships

2 Weeks to Go!
Use Offer Code: OPINAT14
VOLUNTEER HERE
With just 2 weeks to go, there are still far too many empty slots on the Volunteer Rota.

We have some key roles to fill, which are critical to the running of the event:  Senior Main Fleet Safety Lead, Bridge (MF), Bridge (RF), Senior Main Fleet Safety Lead. We also have some critical RIB slots to fill in Main Fleet .  Please contact admin@optimist.org.uk if you can help.

There really is something for everyone even those who are single parents, have multiple sailors in different fleets, have non-sailing younger/older siblings in tow, have long journeys, are attending family meetings or those who are lucky enough to be "on holiday"....  Please don't assume someone else will volunteer so you don't need to!
 
The Optimist Class is a volunteer run association so 
we expect ALL families to help during the week.
REGATTA FLEET (on Water Volunteers SIgn up HERE)
If you would like to go out on the water, we would love to have you.

There are a mix of roles to fill, and many don't need any experience.  Please Sign up as soon as possible.
REGATTA FLEET SI Guide - Download
A handy guide to Regatta Fleet Sailing Instructions. The full Sailing Instructions (SIs) set out the rules for the Regatta Fleet racing at the event. 

This document is intended as a user-friendly guide, and doesn't contain all the detail.

COACHES


All coaches going out on the Main Fleet courses (Club/regional/international and privately hired) are asked to complete a registration form.  This can be downloaded from the Nationals page, or collected from the registration desks. 

If you have employed a coach for the event, please ensure they are aware of this requirement, and also the requirement to register all ribs and attend the safety briefings.
REGISTER A RIB
If you are planning to bring a RIB to the Nationals for safety and/or support purposes, you must contact the relevant co-ordinator for details regarding registration:

Main (Senior & Junior) Fleets:
Sailors with Black and Yellow markings on their boats and trolleys need additional help - their parents are on the water or helping elsewhere at the event.

Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation Courses

The Foundation is up and running at WPNSA and would like to offer parents/siblings:

•    RYA Level 2 powerboat – course duration 2 days – normal cost  Â£295 – Optimist price £225 (£70 discount) – dependent on there being 3 people on the course. It is coastally endorsed and so long as all parents have children on the water, it can fit around the launch and recovery times to some extent. 

•    Taster sessions for parents and siblings, this can be arranged as and when and we can realistically cater for anyone over the age of 5, we have all the equipment and we do have instructors on site. If people are interested in this, they should come into the centre on the 1st day and have a chat with us so we know when to get instructors in. 

•    Sea Monkeys. 5 half days of sailing (mornings) aimed at confidence building and water safety. For 5 year olds through to 7 year olds. £199. Parents don’t specifically have to be on site. 

For more information please contact the centre directly on 01305 457400

Charity Raffle


MASSIVE thank you to those companies who have offered prizes so far!
Most of the raffle will be drawn before the main fleet prizegiving on Friday.  Winners will need to be at the draw to collect their prizes.  

Som eprizes will be drawn through the week at the Daily Briefings.  Tickets will be available for purchase at the event.
 

Equipment Measurement - Main Fleets


Due to the large and busy nature of the event, full measurement of sails, foils, spars and/or the weighing of Optimists will not be available prior to registration.  Please ensure you arrive with all the equipment you are intending to use for the Championship pre-measured.

A list of measurers around the country is available from the IOCA website - Members -> Technical

Please remember that all our event measurers are volunteers and also parents of sailors competing at the event.
 

Regatta Fleet Sailors


Please read Snap, Shackle and Strop on the Nationals webpage.  An essential safety guide for those new to Optimists and events. 

Trophies


If you were one of the winners of a trophy at the 2013 Nationals in Largs, please could you contact Kim Hill to confirm the return of the trophy in Weymouth
VOLUNTEER LUNCHES
Lunches will be provided for all non-parent volunteers, plus all parent volunteers who have signed up to perform a critical/all day role ALL week.

This includes volunteers in race management and those carrying out critical on-shore roles, e.g. Beach Master, Event Co-Ordinator.   It also includes RIB helms in Regatta Fleet, but not those on non-Race Management RIBs in Main Fleet.

It does not include those who are only going out for some of the days; or those signed up for short/periodic roles, e.g. Tallies, Launch/Trolley Supervisor, Medic, Lunch co-ordinator, Prizes, Regatta Fleet Priority Co-ordinator, Raffle Ticket Sellers etc

EARLY ARRIVALS


Arriving before 2nd August 2014?

WPNSA is offering a special rate of £10 per boat per day (including harbour dues) for sailors planning to go afloat before 2nd August 2014.  (The normal rates for Day Membership are: £11.60 per boat, plus harbour dues of £4.60).  

Please go to WPNSA Reception to register on arrival.

Please note: there may be restricted launching on first thing Saturday 2nd August 2014 due to anopen water swimming event.

Membership Packs


If you joined IOCA (UK) after the Inlands and have not yet received your membership pack, the packs will be available for collection at registration at the Nationals.

Sailing & Event Programme, Site Maps and SIs


Will be available on the website very soon.

Daily Briefings


We will be running daily briefings for Main Fleet this year at 9.30am.  We have all sorts of prizes to hand out, as well as important daily announcements, so make sure you are there!

GILL Kit Trials

Sunday 3rd August

Are you looking for new kit? Want to try before you buy?


Visit Gill in the registrations hangar on Sunday 3rd August at 10am for you chance to get your hands on some Gill gear to trial at the Nationals. All you need to do is fill out a feedback form telling them what you thought of it. 
There’s a limited supply so get there early to avoid disappointment.

Welcome BBQ

Sunday 3rd August
We have some delicious food for the opening BBQ on Sunday night.  Food will be served from 4pm onwards, and we would encourage Regatta Fleet sailors and parents to eat early, before the Main Fleet return to shore.
 
Each Option comes with potato salad, coleslaw & mixed leaves.  

Sailors tickets are heavily discounted but must be pre-booked.

ALL BBQ tickets (sailors and supporters) must be pre-ordered and paid for
(International sailors/supporters can pay in cash at Registration - all other payments through goCardless)
 
Tickets should be collected at registration.

Note: Due to the numbers involved for the BBQ, no other catering will be available at WPNSA on Sunday evening. However, the bar will be open.
Order BBQ Tickets Here

Overseas Reception

Monday 4th August

A huge welcome to the sailors from 17 countries who are travelling to join us for the UK Nationals.  Please come and join us at a reception on Monday evening.  Details will be published shortly in the Event Schedule.

Table Top Sale

Wednesday 6th August
Last year we ran a very successful 2nd hand kit sale to sell off all the lost property collected but not claimed during the year.  This year we're expanding it so remember to bring your second hand sailing clothes/kit along to sell.  

We will be running a table top sale in the Event Hall on Wednesday afternoon.  Â£5 a table, with proceeds going to the John Merrick Trust and the Andrew Simpson Foundation.  

Also featuring the One Handed Glove stall...bring your single gloves and see if you can find a match...

Away Day Sail

Wednesday 6th August

This will be an Away Day sail to either Weymouth Beach or Castle Cove on the Wednesday.  Sailors are invited to dress up as Vikings, and we will have some Viking galleys to escort them on their journey.  Viking picnics to be provided by parents. 


We need 6 parents to drive round to the destination and meet us there, to help with the lunchtime session on the beach.  Please sign up on the volunteer roster.

If anyone can help make Viking Galley decorations before the Nationals, please email gillian@schonrocks.com
VOLUNTEER HERE

Maintenance Measurer Course

Wednesday 6th August

Want to know more about measurement? We need you to become an IOCA Measurer! The course will cover Foils, Spars, Sail numbers, Paperwork and an introduction to Sail measurement. Places are limited - Please sign up as soon as possible.
Maintenance Measurer - Register Here

Wednesday Evening Entertainment


Open Mic & Games
Between 6 and 8pm, James Murdock and his band will be running an Open Mic session.  We are also planning some activities outside in the boat park.  However, we need some parent volunteers to supervise, and we can't run the activities without them.  So if you weren't planning to come to the AGM, please sign up on the volunteer rota to help out.
VOLUNTEER HERE

NOTICE OF AGM


The Annual General Meeting of the International Optimist Class Association (UK) will be held at WPNSA, as part of the Optimist National Championships.. 

IOCA (UK) Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 6th August 2014 at 18:00hrs


All event attendees are invited to attend, only members of the Association may vote.
There are a large number of roles becoming vacant - please take a look at the website. If you can help with any of the committee roles or would like to get involved with events, training, teams, the Dinghy Show, sponsorship/marketing or general class administration please contact a member of the current committee for more details or admin@optimist.org.uk

Oppy Shop


This year we will be running our very own Oppy Shop from the end of the Event Hall (Monday to Friday).  Drop in to buy hoodies, t-shirts, water bottles, raffle tickets and much more.

Sail Measurer Course

Thursday 7th August

Debbi Smith from the RYA will be running a Sail Measurement course. Cost of the course is £35.
Sail Measurer Course - Register Here

Details of more Social Activities, Meetings & Information evenings to follow!

REMINDERS


If you haven’t done so already, now is also the time to make sure you have:
  • Volunteered for a duty
  • Checked your buoyancy test is dated AFTER 9 August 2013
  • Checked your Optimist Log Book (with buoyancy certificate) is it in your name?
  • Started to name EVERYTHING!
  • Read through all the relevant documentation on the website

Regatta Fleet

  • Not sure which bits on the boat are most important?Please read Snap, Shackle and Strop.  A simple guide to all the basic safety controls before your child sails.
  • Please read the simple guide to Regatta Fleet SIs
  • Remember to pack your IOCA Training Log Book - or if you're a new member, pick up your membership pack at  Registration.
  • Pack your Viking Outfit!

If in doubt just ask, we are here to help you.
Don't forget to Help Out - VOLUNTEER HERE
3rd Party Insurance
 
If you require 3rd Party Insurance for the event please contact our insurance partners Noble Marine directly via the Noble Marine website to complete  the on line proposal form.  
The premium is £26.50 GBP for the event for a third party indemnity of £5,000,000, with no refunds being applicable for termination of the policy.  When payment has been made on line, sailors will be able to print off their own policy.

IBI Sailing will be attending the Nationals at WPNSA but will not be retailing equipment. However, they will be happy to bring pre-ordered chandlery items and sails to the event. 
Please contact Charles Ainsworth  Tel: 01243 513002
Peter Newton will be on the water Sunday - Tuesday taking photographs. Photographs will be available for viewing and purchase Wednesday - Friday in Spinnakers restaurant.

With thanks to all our sponsors and partners for their continued support:

For all the latest information check out:
Facebook
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optimistsailing.org.uk
If you have any questions please contact
Sharon
admin@optimist.org.uk
07713 499225
 
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