Mini Mariners

Mini Mariners Division

Proudly sponsored by

The Program:

Learn to sail
Learn to row a boat
How to deal with upturned small craft
How to tie up boats
Anchoring
Safety around boats
Knot tying
Fishing techniques
Outboard motors
How to manoeuvre small power boats
Docking berthing and rules of the road.
Power Boat Licence
Kayaking, basic navigation and messing around in boats.

Mini Mariners is a Club Division initiated by volunteer parents of the RMYC and now in its eighth year. Mini Mariners is all about providing children (ideally between the ages of 6-14) and families the opportunity to socialise and learn important water safety skills in a safe, social, fun and non-competitive atmosphere that is very affordable.

It is all about “messing around with boats”. It has similarities with the “Sea Scouts” but is unique in that every participating child must be actively accompanied by at least one parent/grand parent or guardian.

Mini Mariner events are social and involve multiple families and family members of all ages. We run multiple programmes during the one session by having parents/grandparents allocated to a particular station. The multiple stations provide different activities (involving interaction with the water) for children and siblings of all ages (typically between 6 to 14yrs).

In the cooler months (May - September) Mini Mariners meet on the last Sunday afternoon of the month for water based activities. Due to the temperatures, this could include walks on or around Pittwater, treasure hunts, further boating knowledge, etc. The Mini Mariners is currently accepting new members for their Summer program.

The Spring/Summer Program commences in October and will be run on Saturday mornings.

RMYC Broken Bay Mini Mariners division is the home of Pittwater’s largest fleet of the fastest growing new sailing dinghy class the “Open Skiff” by Bic.

The Summer sailing program for RMYC Mini Mariners follows the Global Open Skiff sailing format where juniors work their way up the ranks as their confidence and competency improves.

Many Open skiff sailors from Australia have gone on to sail professionally around the world!

What level will my child start?

We start all junior sailors off in Green Fleet and then as their confidence and competence grows we advance the sailors to Silver Fleet and then Gold Fleet.

Green Fleet sailors are beginners.

Silver Fleets sailors are able to confidently navigate a racecourse.

Gold Fleet Sailors are …… competitive!!!

Do you race?

Yes - informally each Saturday morning during summer.

More formally at interclub regattas.

We actively encourage our Mini Mariners to participate in Open Skiff regattas and our coaching prepares them for Green, Silver, and Gold Fleets at regattas around both the state and nationally. The Australian Open Skiff Association is the peak body for our current class of boats the RMYC Broken Bay.

How to get involved in an Open Skiff Regatta?

More information and upcoming dates are available on our interclub races here

https://openskiff.org.au/whats-on/

Are there Open Skiffs available to try?

Yes

While RMYC Mini Mariners do have access to club boats to learn to sail we do also encourage our members to eventually invest in their own Open Skiff and bring it along to our sailing sessions, local races, and interclub regattas.

Second hand Opens Skiffs often are posted for sale on Gum Tree and Facebook Marketplace.

Excellent condition used boats can also be purchased from the regatta charter boat company

Brand new boats are available here

https://tahesport.com/us_tahe_en/o-pen-skiff/o-pen-skiff

Do Mini Mariners Sail other boats?

RMYC Mini Mariners are encouraged to sail the Open Skiff initially then progress on a single-handed sailing pathway to the all-new RS Aero this is Australia’s fastest growing singled handed dinghy for Teenage and Adult sailors.

Can we bring and sail a two-up boat?

Yes

If crews can be formed to sail two up boats they are more than welcome. We recommend and support Manly Juniors.

Do you have other boats to try?

Yes

Pending seasonal interest and availability we also have Manly Juniors and Lasers on standby for kids and parents to try.

Can I get involved and help or go for a sail myself?

Yes!

Parents are encouraged to get out on the water with their kids in either your own tender or for a little more fun your own “Laser”. We have a few parents with old lasers who get in amongst the fun with the kids.

The kids do learn faster when parents lead by example.

How to Join:

We are currently running a Winter program and are accepting new members.

Parents join the Mini Mariners division and the children become Junior Club Members and then enrol in the programme (subject to availability).

Parents are required to actively participate.

The annual subscription FOR THE PARENT/S to JOIN the division is $20.00 per adult. The PARENT/S are to be members of the RMYC.
For the Children, the fee is $220.00. This is inclusive of Junior Membership of the RMYC, Mini Mariners program fee (year round) and Australian Sailing Membership.

Please contact Jaz Rowntree on 9997 5511 for more information or to register.

MINI MARINERS