Nelson’s historic yacht club has had a changing of the guard and its first move was a bold reduction in its membership fees
At the Nelson Yacht Club’s annual general meeting last week, members voted to reduce membership fees for what is believed the first time in the 155 year club history.
The fees will drop 60 per cent in a bid to encourage more families to take up the sport.
New Commodore Dave Gibb says that the reduction in fees was led by the NYC senior member Kim Harris who wanted to ensure that sailing remains affordable for families and young sailors who often have a number of sporting costs.
“It makes membership affordable not only for families and young sailors but also for a growing number of sailors who can’t commit to club racing every week-end yet want to be part of a yacht club, to join in club racing when they can and have access to the club facilities”.
Membership at Nelson Yacht Club provides access the club facilities on Rocks Rd that includes launching facilities, organised racing, patrol support boats, showers, the Penguins Nest Cafeteria and club rooms, access to renting inside or outside boat storage and of course the camaraderie of other sailors over a soft drink after sailing.
Jeff Wilson is one father whose 14 year old son is a youth member at NYC that will benefit from the fee reduction. Jeff’s son Conner learned to sail in the NYC learn-to-sail programme four years ago. The club provides the boats for the learn to sail but now Conner has purchased his own Optimist sailing dinghy and is a club regular at the same time as continuing to play Touch like his brother.
“Conner is the only family member who sails and he loves the camaraderie at the club and getting out there having fun mucking about in boats with his friends. At NYC he can be competitive or simply have fun, plus it’s a beautiful spot.”
The club is preparing for its opening day in October and Dave, who has been sailing Flying Dutchman for the last eight years and has been actively involved with the club for 18 years, invites those interested in joining to contact the club now to find how they can make sailing happen for you and invites you to come down and visit the club.
For more details about membership give Dave a call on 027 444 5200 or Jeff on 027 246 0739.
